New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-11-20
Errors of the City Census.

To the Editor Of The Tribune:
In the Census of the City Of New-York recently
published are the following statements:
Co!ored persons not taxed. 1916
who taxed 255
entitled 10 vote lOc
Adding taxed and not taxed, total coored pop. -ll,-Jl
Neither of these statements are correct. lst-In
regard to the voters although coored voters have
not and will meet 10 cast their ballots for any
party, yet | can produce evidence that there are
more than 400 colored voters in this City and County
2d.-In regard to coored persons taxed instead of
only 255, the number should include every colored
householder who is taxed indirectly by the General
Government, and in his house rent for his dwell
ling.
3d-Thc census OF 1910 stated the colored popula-
ton of this City TO be l635s The whole number
deaths in this class since 1870 is 244, according 10
the Reports of the City Inspectors for the nterven
ing wears AS there has been no emigration OF this
class there must remain in 1915, at least 1898 col
orcd persons without counting their increase by
births and immigration. Having personally wit
messed the advent Of a trltc more than 300 little, 1--we
and kicking colored Americans in this City since
$40. | can give positive testimony OF this, but
very small portion Of their increase
The colored population of this city in January,
ISi5 is estimated 0lS by Dr. Eli Leavtt in his
very able report City Inspector for the year 1914
His estimate is based the ratio OF increase OF this
class from 1888 TO 1870 aud is entitled tie credit
scientific accuracy. He estimated the total popra-
ton OF this city during lsi4 at 3G2 0j6 which svery
near the truth, if We allow for the six months in
crease TO June, 1915. and for the large number oil
cmgranis who were, doubtless counted in the IT,
cent census. By this estimate it appears that the
I recent states the colored population TO be
.i,lS7 less than 1t really is.
That the Statement; of the on this point. is
the result Of guess work. is manifest from the fact
that the census takers did not visit the houses of
many coorcd persons with whom am acquainted;
and at one house they visited, containing four col
ored families, after gravey informing the inmate OF
that if she did not answer correctly they
would prosecute her" they took an account OF her
family. and left the remainder uncSt'm0ted But
if these statements be work why guess so tar
below the truth
fear that there is no accident in this matter.
Gross inaccuracies not to say iasehoods, in regard
to the statistics OF the colored people, began at
Washington in 1910, and seem likely to become
cardinal principles with = certain party. The cen
sus done at Washington in that year gave Maine
Of and Massachusetts 200 colored insane Dr. Ray
of Maine has reported 10 the Legislature oil that
state that there are not more than five coored insane
in all Maine. And the Massachusetts Medical So.
cety has recently Vol. vii Part w. published re-
port proving that there are only eight coored insane
in Massachusetts.
Inc OBJECT oil the city census makers IN letV was,
TO prove that partial freedom was destructive to the
intellect of the Atric American.
The object OF The census makers ls not so transpa-
rent Perhaps the ofactories of the Marshals, gan
qushed amid the piggeries and polkeries oil the
Sixth Ward, resoutely refused TO carry the war
into Africa Perhaps Mr. Slamm, finding the
1900 balance. of.power vote insufficient 10 brighten
the Democracy has taken the other tack and will
say" There only los colored voters in the city
it will be only little sin take away the franchise
from so few especially as the decrease of that popu
aLoH. which is 1865 in five years promises total
extinction in 1 or ) years!
Seriously Il is a crying shame that when people
pay TO be counted, they not fairly counted. Its
an omnous fact for the well being OF nstitu-
TONS when party interests mingled with matters
utterly distinct from them and so profoundly i'm
portant vital statistics The scientific accuracy OF
the statistics Of France Belgium and Great Britain,
and the deeply interesting deductions drawn from
health of millions-form contrast 10 American sta
tstics any thing but complimentary TO the pride OF
an American or 10 the glory OF our Institutions.
Ii is time these evils should be remedied. The
people through the press should demand that their
servants shall ccun. accurately True, the detected
uiscounts relate only small class OF citizens, but
what security is there, that certain counties have
not been enumerated with eye 10 certain inter
esrs The vast dsproportion OF increase accredited
10 this and Kings counties are matters which, taken
in connection with the decrease in certain other
counties should be closely investigated.
Asking pardon for this intrusion on your columns,
| am yours, respectfully, \ PHYSIcIAS.