The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-10-17

CENSUS OFFICE, 2oth Sept, 1875

SIR | have noticed in several numbers of vo,
paper editorial articles calculated to convey an ms.
sion your readers and the public that the work ~
pairing the statistical details OF The last census in this
was not progressing with the rapidy which sbo.ls
charac terze such work. To make this charge ann
more usiabe, and add force TO the complaint Won -
sttute comparisons with the sixth and lh. =,
England and the assertion is made in the Union of J,I
30. that 'wihin month after the late census of ar,
Britain was taken, the enumeration OF the inhab,,n,.
officially announced !" and is further asserted ,h.
that oical announcement" reached you .en days preg
/ ousy."
In your paper OF the 10th instant. while discamnn
any disposition to delract from individually or pes
ally. and kindly evinciDg the sincerity Of your expe.
sions by the best proof editor can gve you still aud.
10 ''delay in executing the law providing for the can
| sus which seems inexcusable"
Entertaining Jealousy for the reputation OF the Censu,
Office feel disposed to make few remarks with refer.
to statements preudicial TO its characteristic.
ments inconsistent with the real state OF things ana
which must have originated in misconcepon OF the n,
ture of the work which has been performed and In,
which remains to be done in this Office and in thar n
Engand-m isconcepton with reference to the real sa.
OF the census OF Great Britain, and misconceptiop n
''the law providing for the census"
In the first place. the law for taking the census Of ls4
was enacted fourteen months previously to the time AZ
commencing the enumeration, giving ample time for COM
plotting all the preliminary arrangements, without necss
sarly absorbing tor such purpose that which should bs
devoted 10 an examination OF the returns.
The law for taking the seventh census was enacted
precisely eight days previously to the time REQUIRED bs
enumeration to commence; after which all the pren.,
lions Tor the work were to be made the agents N hs =
pointed, instructions and commissions dIsrAptad ,t
blanks 10 be printed and transmitted to eyery poro, ~
Inc country me once 10 be organized with persons ao
geher IN their dutes and the census 10 be
taken OF country greatly increased in extent a. well :
| numbers
Another difference existed to render the worl -
lively light 10 The Office in lS40-that in the char.c, :,
the schedules. which then were returned ~ m s.
ruth the facts classified that all that was rs;,sa -
arrive at results was simple addition Of the yar;ou. I
umns-a plan leading to errors and precudng The no,..
bi'y OF correction Under the presen, every fact
is taken separately and distinctly and all Combinations
and classihcaons made in the office.
Another and greater difference will be found in the
number and value OF the facts obtained under the 7th
census-a difference apparent to all who investigate tho
matter. but TO which time will permit more par,icu,
| auson.
1t is admitted that more persons are employed in The
service now than employed in lS4O"-and with su
Gent reason, as you may judge from what has bean
stated. Candor should however, have required you to
notice the great amount of work at the former census
which was hired out and done by persons without exp
renee, and paid by the sheet the evident injury Of ii.
correctness OF the work.
mere out lte analogy between the character our
census and that OF Great Britain The British census in
cudes Of the statistics relating to agriculture and
manufactures, which fill great proporonate spac. in
our returns as they are prominent in relation 10 the inter
OF country, and knowledge Of their ad vance
decline necessary 10 understanding of our condition
and progress. They confne their attention 10 an enume
ration of the living population and take no statistics re-
aing 10 mortality, and omit great variety OF facts Of
much interest and importance, some of which are pro-
vded for by their admirable arrangements with reference
10 the registration OF deaths, births and marriages
In taking these limited details there employed ia
taking the OF England and Scotland 40 oos emu.
meraors 1864 registrars and superintendent, 62i super
nendent registrars, and lis sher and provosts inclu
ding altogether nearly $4,000 persons who engaged
in preparing the returns to be forwarded to the Censw
Office in London, where force of trifng magnitude
is constantly engaged in classifying them
need not alude to the relative size of England and
Scotland with our own country, TO show how dspropo
tionaie the duty to be performed
We employed in the United States and Territories
3,l44 marshals and assistants in taking the census.
But, throwing aside all this disparity, il is mistake 10
say that within month after the census was taken in
Eng land the enumeration Of the inhabitants was officially
announced" The census taken on the last day Of
March, or rather the blanks (sf time prepicuay
with each family for filling up) called for and lheae
OF Parliament granted until the first day OF June for the
returns to be made to the Census Office, where as
Wesseu IN report 10 farament IN july tbey
have still to undergo strict and minute examination and
revision before any authentic statement OF results be
presented to the world" The report further states that
this essential labor (he examination and revision not
including otasseation) must, however, OF necessity
engage mus time. 1t thought desirable not with
hold from the public such approximation OF the facts
as mi ht be obtained"
No further comment is necessary TO show that u, IN
the performance of duties, TO be judged rapid
or slow, compared with England, admitting all things
10 be equal the comparison must be instituted at some
future period for publication has been made OF the
population OF England even in round numbers, except
by those tables with reference to which the registrar
general expressly discaims minute accuracy-abes in
tended approximation" and in which he declares
TO Parliament that the alterations and corrections
cessary for future publication will be of importance
sufficient to lessen the value Of the figures" &c.
With the exception Of the California returns, had
published, with reference to population, precisely
what Great Britain published with reference to theirs,
long before the publication with respect to that county,
and before the date Of your article.
In addition classifying the details Of our census this
office has dsbursed nearly million of dollars, and has
been compelled to examine FIVE thousand accounts
and in doing has found IL necessary to scrutnze every
entry made with reference TO our twenty three millions Of
peope-a duty which, tnow nearly completely with The
correspondence connected herewith requires the constant
attention OF many Of our clerks
While this portion OF the work has progressed rapidly
the classification OF ages, professions &c. has proceeded
with despatch and nothing prevents Official report Of
entire population in nunbers except the supplying
copies OF DESTROYED Calornia by the cophagn