The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-12-10
THE CENSUS REPORT.
Report of the Secretary of the Interior
CENSUS OFFICE,
WAsHINaToN, De. !, le5I.


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 cOnfagration 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 b. en- received
The returns from Utah are expected by the
first mail from that territory, advices having
been received Of their completion. Three sets
of schedules We're transmitted by different con
veyances, of which only one set reached the
agent, which accounts for the delay. The cen
sus for that territory had been taken on manu-
script schedules, and, at the latest dates, the agent
was engaged in transferring the same to the
printed blanks.
On the both 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 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 abors. All such calls
have been promptly responded to, when COM
pliance 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
principles different from any heretofore used for
that purpose. The plan adopted for their con.
struction, while adding immensely to the labor
of the Office, presents, on the face of the sche-
dule, much more information in the same space,
and better combination Of facts 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 mutated
condition, or in any way injured.
The expenses of the census Office have been
| as follows, viz
For printing and stationeryinclud-
ing the amount reported at the
first and second sessions of the
last Congress, and by the cen
sus board S33I53 II
For amount paid U. S. marshals 34,OOl 25
For amount paid to assistant mar
shals S9I,245 IS
contieent expenses of the office 1885, 1929 &c
The aggregate amount appropriate
ed for taking the seventh census,
was =. l,267,5OO 90
The balance on hand this first day
of December, 1851 2O3,l7O 90
The balance due to marshas and
assistant marshas of u. States 20l 90
II To pay our contingent expenses,
: including clerk hire, office rent,
fuel, stationery, etc, TO the 30th
/ day Of June, 1853, there will be
required an appropriation ofone
hundred and fifty thousand dol
= lars 100000 0C
The cost Of printing the compilation Of the
E seventh census, forms no portion of this est
mate-that must be determined by the plar
I adopted by Congress for the execution of the
work.
In the few cases where payment has not beer
made to marshals, and their assistants, in full
, their accounts have been delayed, either on &c
count Of negligence in making proper or timely
return Of their route or TO admit OF some
$ further consideration, in cases where the ones
: ton Of amount is under the act of Congress, "a
be fixed bv the Secretary of the Interior, and
the data still too imperfect 10 enable him tC
J. decide the matter, without perhaps, doing in
justice TO the parties themselves, or the govern
ment
To such marshals as the act of Congress
G authorizes the payment Of reasonable amour
J. for clerk hire, provided the charges under tn,
q act for taking the census, DO not reach $500,
the principle has been adopted, to pay, in n,
u case, larger amount than that which, added q
| tka 9th oh Of tha trl NAL
gross receipt equal to that SUN. This construc
ton Of the act Of Congress is believed to be il
J. accordance with its intention.
" The compensation Of some Of the assistan
marshals, particularly in remote regions of thu
United States and territories, which are no
included within the provisions Of the supple
I, mentary act of August 80 $780, is entire
y inadequate 10 the amount Of duty performed
- It il my opinion that additional compensation j
: equally due to some Of the marshas.
: To the marshals and assistants, with but
: few exceptions, too much credit cannot be &C
:, corded for the prompt and official manner il
y which they have discharged the duties prescribe
y by the law, and for the readiness with they hav
: responded TO calls for Information on yaret
T. of subiects, some Of which we're not embrace
% in the schedules. To them is due the credit Q
&c returns Aning made and rendered from thi
y widely extended country, in time TO admit Q
: placing the aggregate enumeration of pOpula
~ ton before the Congress succeeding that whic
enacted the law, and on the first day of its frs
session. The zeal and industry Of many {
~ them have contributed TO furnish the office wit
~ materials, rich and various, illustrative Of III
vs. history, geography, and geology Of the country
y and it would be gratifying to the superintendent
~ Of census to be permitted 10 send to each una
y, shall and assistant, who has thus respected Ii
~ calls upon his time and labor, copy of tb'
~ census which their united exertions have col
'e tribused to enhance in value. Good result
:" would, doubtless, be experienced in future yea
~ from liborality thus dispensed.
Wv When it is remembered that previous to q
~ date of its commencement, eight days on
- elapsed after the passage Of the act to take u
W. seventh census, and, considering the large j
w. crease Of population and the immense extent
~ new territory comprised within its scope, it
"o not to be supposed that this office can
ia charged with delinquency; in view Of the ia
900 have rocaived all the returns from ava