The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-11
THE CENSUS REPORT.
Report Of the Secretary Of the Interior.
CENSUS OFFICE,
WAsHINGroN, Dee. |, 1851,

WASHINGTON, Dec. i, 1901. n
SIR:-I have the honor to report that full and
complete returns Of the seventh census have
been received from all the States of the Union
on this side Of the Rocky Mountains, and from
the territories of New Mexico and Oregon. A
portion of the California returns were destroyed
by the conf lgration at San Francisco, an acct.
dent which rendered it necessary for the census
agent to prepare new copies from the originals
which are expected here daily. The other re-
turns have been received.
The returns from Utah are expected by the
first mail from that territory, advres having
been received of their completion. Three sets
If schedules were transmitted by different con.
veyances, of which only one set reached the
agent, which accounts for the delay The cen
sus for that territory hid been taken on manu-
script schedules, and at the latest dates the agent
was engaged in transferring the same to the
printed blanks. <"- .. . ~. IS. ~.
On the 30th September there were employed
in this Office ninety one clerks, two messengers,
two.watchmen, and two laborers. In the month
of November it was found necessary, in order
to prepare certain information in time for the
meeting of Congress, to make a large tempo
rary addition to the clerical force of the office
and the number was increased to one hundred
and forty-eight, who have performed extra duty.
The frequent demands made by State officers
and private individuals for statistical information,
has much increased our labors. All such calls
have been promptly responded to, when COM
pance herewith would not interfere too much
with the progress of business.
The schedules used in taking the seventh
census OF the United States, were arranged on
princ pies different from any heretofore used for
that purpo &c. TIE plan adopted for their con,
L.. Al I
Of the oifi 20, pre- ,entI, on the ftce Of the sche
dule, much more Information in the same space,
and better combination of fcts relating to
persons and things, than has heretofore been
attained, while it is perfectly simple, without
complication, but little liable to error; furnish.
ing easy means of detecting and correcting most
Of the errors which occur. These blanks were
prepared under the direction of the census
board, and were furnished in timely season
They proved to be well adapted for the purpose
for which they were designed. Among the
great number transmitted through the mails
from every portion Of our territory, net one
schedule was received at the Office in u mutated
condition, or in any way injured.
The expenses of the census office have been
~ follows. viz
For printing aad stationery inclu1-
ing the amount reported at the
first and second sessions of the
last Congress, and by the cen
sus board 49,. 1913 1853 II
For amount paid q. S. marshals 3lO0I Is
For amount paid to assistant MN.
shals ..... s9I,2i5 IS
For amount paid for clerk hire and
contigent expenses of the office los ,929 &c
The aggregate amount appropriit-
ed for taking the seventh census,
was g. l,267,5Oo 90
The balance on hand this first day
of December, 1851 aOs,l7o 90
The balance due 10 mlrshsls and
assistant marshals Of u. States POI 90
TO pay our contingent expenses,
including clerk hire, Ofice cent,
fuel, stationery, etc, TO the 30th
day Of June 1883, there will be
required an appropriation "fone
hundred AMI fifty thousand del.
lars E. 100000 90
The cost Of printing the compilation Of the
seventh census, forms no portion of this esti
maie-that must be determined by the plan
Idopted by Congress for the execution Of the
work.
In the few cases where pigment has not been
made TO marshals, and their assistants, IL. full,
heir accounts have been delayed, either on &C.
FnhllA VI HfkhEFNCf w aNIOptI VI AitDtl
return Of their route, or 10 admit OF some
further consideration, in cases where the ques
ton Of amount is under the act of Congress, to
be fixed BY the Secretary Of the Interior, and
the dia still too imperfect to enable him to
lecie the matter, without, perhaps, doing in.
jIsiice 10 the parties themselves, or the govern.
ncnt
To such marshal- ~ the act Of Congress
authorizes the payment of " reasonable amount
for clerk hire, provided the charges under the
act for taking the census, d. not reach $500"
the principle has been adopted, TO pay, in no
case, n larger amount than that which. added 10
the other charges of the marshal, will mike his
gross receipt equal % that sum. This construc
ton Of the act Of Congress is believed 10 be IL
accordance with its Intention.
Inc compensation Of some Of the assistant
marshils, par iculaHy in remote regions Of the
Unitrd States and territories, which are not
included within the provisions Of the supple
mentnry act OF August 30, 1850, is entirely
inadeqIate to the AMOUNT Of duty performed.
Il is my opinion that additional compensation j.
equally due TO some Of the marshals.
To the marshals and assistants, with but
few exceptions, too much credit cannot be &C
corded for the prompt and official manner in
which they have di.cha' ged the duties prescribed
ny tne law, ana Tor the readiness Win they have
responded ~ calls for information on a variety
Of subjects, some Of which were not embraced
in the schc ules. To them is due the credit Of
returns bling made and rendered from this
widely extended country, in time to admit OF
placing the aggregate enumeration Of popula-
ton before the Congress succeeding that which
enacted the law, and on the first day Of its first
session. The zeal and industry Of many Of
them have contributed to furnish the office with
materials rich and various, illustrative Of the
history, geography, and geology OF the country.
and it woulG be gratifying TO the superintendent
Of census to be permitted TO send to e1ch mar
shall and assistant, who has thus respected the
calls upon his time and labor, a copy Of that
census, which their united exertiohs b I'VE con
thbuted to enhance in value. Good resu T.
would, doubtless, be experienced in future years
from liberality thus dispensed.
When it is remembered that previous 10 the
date Of its commencement, eight days only
elapsed after the passage Of the act to take the
seventh census, and. considering the large in
eraasa of nonulatioo and tho it,m.nso ovta,t oT