The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-18
Tho Census OF the United States.

Tho Census OF the United States.
The world, we presume, has never wit
messed so ample, 50 minute, and 50 accurate an
array of statistical information respecting any
country as the present census returns will ex-
hibit. In countries of more limited extent and
in which such duties are performed under the
direction of single mind, great accuracy and
precision have been attained; but, even with
these advantages, less perfect plans and elabo-
rate methods have prevented the contamination
of the work in so complete and satisfactory a
manner.
We remember reading in the New Tesla
ment Luke ii. J that ''there went out de-
cree from Cesar Augustus that all the world
should be taxed" or enrolled, as the original
reads; and we informed by good authori-
ties that "all the world" was understood to
! imply only Palestine, and that the enrolment
was merely to ascertain the numbers and prop
erty Of the Jews, who paid tribute to Rome
We read, also, that JOSEPH went up from Gal
lice to Bethlehem to be taxed, and this was
supposed to be for two reasons: firstly, because
he held some possessions there; and secondly,
because, in taking a Jewish census, families
were always kept distinct, and he desired to be
registered with his kindred.
Among the Jews these distinctions of tribes
and families We're important; but although it is
not so amongst republican Christians, it is new
ertheless convenient and desirable to preserve
national record of all the American people
which will be found to be effected by the plans
now pursued.
The schedules used are arranged upon
schemes different from any others that exist
| They are less voluminous, yet call for more
| information in detail and are at the same time
equally simple and easy to be followed.
Amongst the Improvements in these we will
name one, and, while it is so very simple as to
excite surprise that it had not been always OBJ
served, we can assure the reader that it is but
one OF large number of instances of like char
| acter. In the schedules used in this and other
countries, in past times, to each trade, profess
sion, and occupation a column was assigned;
and as men are usually single in their pursuits,
a single score in one Of these columns desig-
mated the occupation Of person named, while
a continuous blank extended over many pages.
The improvement consists in simply having one
| column in which single written word will
designate the calling. In like manner, in some
| schedules we have seen, the names of all dis
eases and accidents occasioning death are given
at the heads of columns; yet n single column
at present affords sufficient space for the pur-
pose, and by its heading guides the census
agent Alright in supplying the requisite infcma
ton.
OF the skill manifested by j. c. G. KEN
NEEDY, esq, in contriving and preparing these
schedules, nothing need probably be stated in
addition to the fact that they were presented
by him, complete as they are, to the Congress
sional committee, and, after the most thorough
and rigid examination, were adopted with
scarcely single alteration. No labor had been
spared by that gentleman, and, we may add,
no expense, for his desire to avail himself of
all knowledge possible TO be obtained on the
subject induced him to procure from Europe
every form to which he could obtain access.
The information ELECTED respecting our coun-
try comprehends every thing that it can in
terest any Of the family Of man to know
Hereafter, wherever an American may present
himself throughout the land, .the simple know
ledge Of his name and former abode will enable
any one who has access to the census returns
to tell with almost unerring accuracy the names
Of the members Of his immediate family, their
pursuits in life, their pecuniary condition, Sc.
To illustrate this we will select few exam
pies, copied from some Of the returns which
the superintendent kindly permitted us to ex-
anime.
We open at the returns for the nineteenth
ward of Baltimore, and our eye rests upon the
l223d dwelling visited but it is occupied by
the l443d family This shows us that. 80 far
as the deputy marshal bad gone in that ward
there were go more families than dwellings.
and the particular instances in which dwelling
contained more than one family are shown in
| the places where the names Of those families &C
cur The dwelling we have selected is occu-
pied by widow lady, aged fifty years. She
| owns sll 900 worth Of real estate Her
daughter, Fanny, is twenty-five years old; her
son, William, is seventeen, and clerk by pro-
fession. They are all natives Of Maryland
| No death and no marriage has occurred in the
family within year. They can all read and
write, and none Of them are deaf, dumb, blind,
diotic, or pauper nor do they own any slaves,
nor produce any thing by manufacturing or ag-
riculture, At per cent. their real estate will