The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-10

suit from the sudden formation of depart.
ment for its execution, is the result of much
study and reflection, and, it is thought, will
prove useful. Should the work be found TO
pos ess real value, the result must be attributed
mainly TO the abundant materials collected, and
the zeal and intelligence of the persons en-
ployed thereon some Of whom are men whose
ability should secure better remuneration,
which, il is hoped, Congress will be willing to
accord. IT, however, the general plan shall be
considered faulty, or by its imperfect execution
be deemed unworthy of adoption, IT will have
been well thus TO bring il TO the test, that it may
be condemned.
The work, of course, has not been submitted
TO the public for its judgment; but where opin-
ions have been at all expressed, by those deemed
good authority on the propriety OF our classf-
cations, they have been invariably favorable.
Some such have found their way into the pub
lie documents In the thirty second annual re.
port of the New York Institution for the Deaf
and Dumb, made to the legislature of that State,
the following language occurs, with respect to
our designed classification, of such portion of the
work as interested particularly the directors of
that institution --"Such list will furnish val
liable materials, never possessed to any extent
before, for solving many highly interesting sta
tistical questions and its publication is looked
for with much interest. We shall endeavor, in
our next annual report, to set forth the results
| of n careful analysis of the census returns, re-
speeding the deaf and dumb"
So far our Judgment of the public press is
concerned, its expression has been much more
favorable than could be wished with its imper-
feet knowledge of the plan, as expectations may
thereby be raised which the results will not Just
ify. None of the information, as impaired in
the volume Of statistics, has been promulgated,
it being considered indicate to make known to
the world information due first to the head of
the department, and through him to Congress;
aud it would not be decorous to forestall the dis
passionate judgment of either.
1t has seemed to me that work-the ex-
pense of which is shared by the whole commu-
nity-should bearranged, as far ms possible, for
general utility, and not compilation of mere
columns or figures, interesting only to the man
of SCIENCE Tor legislative purposes or for refer
ence, but should be so adapted that while it will
furnish practical information to the statesman
and philosopher, and useful data to the egisla.
tor, il will contain, also, matters interesting to
every portion the community, furnished some
" ut in advance of those deductions from ans
3 ,cal Investigations made years after its publ.
a4'o ON. To this end, if supported by the favor
able opinion Of Congress,it will be made to
evolve all of instruction which Jealous efforts,
though limited ability, are capable of eliciting
, from the facts within such period of time, rs it
must be accomplished without retarding its
publication.
1t may be contended by some that the gazet-
teers furnish most of the information we in
clude To such it may be replied that, whilst
these publications possess great value, and are
all replete with instruction, many present but a
reprint of former editions, with the title page
changed to suit the date, and few unimportant
alterations in other respects. Others may con-
tend that the plan presented takes within its
scope subjects not legitimately embraced within
the OF statistics. Such an opinion might be
n 6 atained by forming conclusions from orr
previous publications, but they are however at
variance with the best authority on this subject
The definition Of /" statistics" as given by one
author, consists in "such description of a
country, or any part, a, gives the present or ac-
tual state thereof" but as it is only by tho
rough knowledge Of the present state of the
country and its inhabitants, it'll their present
customs, habits, morals, health, and manners of
life, that we can form au accurate estimate of
the condition of the people, so as to enjoy the
knowledge necessary for the amelioraIion of
their circumstances, or improve their con dition,
il is necessary TO take Il retrospective glance,
first beginnings, we survey river to its
source, TO acquire a knowledge of its geogra-
ply, or Of the permanent character of its sup
plies.
The term Census" applies more particularly
To wealth and possessions than TO numbers. 1t
was so understood by the Romans, who first
used the term. livy, in his first book Of the
history of Rene, chapter AZ, speaking Of Sefvius
Tullius, says ole then entered on the i'm
proyement of the civil poty Of the utmost i'm
portance for he instituted the census-an ordi
nance Of the most salutary consequence in our
empire that was to rise To such pitch of great
ness, and according 10 which the several contri
buttons in peace and war were TO be discharged,
not by every person indiscriminately, as former
ly, but according TO the proper ton Of their sew.
eral properties" And after describing the con.
tributions required in proportion to the wealth
of individuals, who appeared on certain day
every year, each in his own century and gave in
The amount Of his property, he continues In
all these instances, the burden was taken from
of the poor and laid on the rich"
The census was completed with great cere-
monies and offering of sacrifices, termed closing
the lustrum In his fourth book, he speaks Of
a Survey under the census, and description
OF all the lands and houses, and the entire reye-
nue. Of the Roman people (B. g., 44O) In the
twelfth book, it is stated that "The senate then
received the survey Of twelve colonies, pre-
scented by the censors Of those colonies Tacitus
mentions that Augustus wrote with his own
hand an exact account Of his dominions which
is termed "census." Although the term "cen-
sus" does not appear in our Constitution, it does
appear in the title Of the act Of Congress, under
which this office is organized I" AN act for taking
the seventh and subsequent censuses," &c, the
body Of the act referring to the collection Of sta
tistics. But it is, perhaps, unnecessary to go
back to antiquity for the meaning Of the term
census, or that of statistics, when we have such
good modern authority not only as to the mean
iHg Of the terms but the practical carrying into
effect what the most distinguished statists un-
derstand to be comprised within their meaning.
The term statistics" originated in England,
with Sir John Sinclair, with respect to which, in
the twentieth volume Of his statistical account