The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-09-19
mr.. kennedy, superintendent OF ths Census.

seemed to us nexcusabe has at length returned 10 this
country We see with pleasure that he has mingled with
some OF the scientific societies of Europe and has taken
part in the discussions which calculated TO aid in
the development of those researches which enlightened
men are making in order 10 determine many useful prob
lens mathematical, physical, and moral science 1t has
been far from purpose to derac from him individually
or personally In observations respecting the authority
under which he acts the progress of the work directed
by existing laws we looked not the agent OF the ad
but at the duties and powers of this admin
isralion as prescribed by law Where find him credi
tably occupied, prevented by no party bias from
spreading before readers the record of his service In
this spirit transfer TO columns extract from the
proceedings of the twenyhrst meeting OF the British
Association for the Advancement OF Science, in which
it will be that Mr. kennedy took part and brought
into favorable notice the information acquired by our
census
EItroct from the proceedings Of the British Association
for The advancement Of Science
The Secretary read paper, by DR.. +. T. Tilt, "On the
best of ascealnng the number and condition OF
the inantile idiots in the United Kingdom" The object
was to show mode in which the inquiry suggested b.
Dr. Codsean, and approved OF by the general commit-
tee al the Edinburgh meeting Of the Association might be
made al r1lng expense. The urgency OF an inquiry
into the extent OF inantile diocy appeared at
the following considerations l. 1t was well known that
in England as n other countries. many children were
born with congenita deficiency of understanding which,
uncorrected, necessarily led TO their being pabe and
degraded objects at full age 2. There could be doubt
that the various forms of nante docy could be always
aeviated and often cured this was especially shown
by the success OF Dr. Guggenbuhl g. II followed there
fore that was desirable TO ascera the number of such
idiots the United Kingdom, and Tor this purpose III
machinery viii the poor COMM sioners had at
their command presented the readest and least expensive
means 1t would only be necessary to print the required
schedules and forward them TO the unon medical officers,
OF charity any increase 70 their pay,
In the discussion on this paper Mr. Kennedy, Director
OF Statistics al Washington pointed out that IN the last
United States census the name and residence OF every
idiot in the States recorded. moi only to show
the number of idiots but also to give to charitable inst
tuons the of relieving them. Mr. J, Hancock
and Mr.. GowiDg also took part in the discussion
g On the Influence OF Discoveries in Science and
Works OF Art in developing the Condition OF People,
indicated by the Census Operations OF the United States
by Mr.. J. C. &. Kennedy. He commenced by audlng
the fact that elements seemed to be working in the
minds OF and the legislation OF States throughout
the world induced them 10 study their real condition,
and to acquire information OF the state OF other Gaions
and people with view to reciprocal advantage and,
alludng to the Great Exhibition and the meeting OF the
British Association he declared his belief that these
movements exened greater influence in disseminating
the principles OF peace and good will among than the
combined influence OF all other efforts in operation. Ii
was contended that no abored works OF art, no great
discovery developments in science, calculated TO
illustrate the condition OF any people in prool OF
this illusions were made to ancient sculpture poetry,
oratory and the remains OF architecture developed in
the splendid relics OF regal and royal tomb
where was 10 he found no remain published record
which could us believing that The people enjoy
ed even moderate degree OF social comfort, or the
benefits OF good Jaws; and he attributed the decline
OF empires 10 increase OF luxury, natenlIon 10 the
real condition and ignorance OF the wants oil the people,
neglect Of education and indifference TO morals He con-
tended that the government OF The Ualied States had
adopted the best system yet made available by any people
Tor ecing those facts Tor the unde standing OF
hei. true condition. The United States the first 10
incorporate the principle with their Fundamental ia,c
object Of such was mainly to learn their own availability
in military point OF view, or to know what amount OF
imposition might with safety be placed on estates so as
barely preserve and not entirely destroy them. But
the government of the United States actuated solely
by the desire 10 know the true condition OF the people, IN
order TO egisate with wisdom, and 10 know In what
things encourage continuance, what error Ia abae,
what abuse 10 correct He showed that IN 1890 they
confined their inquiries the number OF the people OF
different coors aud conditions, free and slave; twenty
after they included statistics relative 10 agncul-
ture, manufactures and commerce; now at the distance
of sixty years. they include, by idU made permanent,
collection of nearly all those facts the development OF
which will illustrate their exact condition TO num-
and slave every age The present census, when fully
compiled. will give the number OF families, The number
of dwelling houses, and the occupations, professions
and trades of all persons the birthplace OF each indi
vdua; the number married, widowed and single; the
number attending school the number unable TO read
and write the blind, deaf and dumb the insane the
idotic the paupers and convicls With reference 10
the slave population they take the ages color the
number voluntarily manumitied, the number who
have manumitted themselves, with the deaf and
dumb blind, insane, and dioc. They take
meraon also of those who have died-ther age, sex,
color, condition, birthplace, profession occupation,
disease or cause OF death, and The number OF days
ILL., In connection with these statistics, they procure
account from each county in the United States OF its
geological formation; Its SOIL rocks, Minerals mountains
Marshes rivers TIMBER its date of settlement its Gate OF
organization the place OF nativity OF it's first settlers its
canals; its plank, turnpike, and railroads. telegraph
wires banking institutions, insurance otces their capt.
tall and dividends. They enumerate the acres OF i'm.
and pyedI nd bel
value, the value of his farming implements and ma
chinery, the numbers OF each variety 1T live stock its
value and the product OF his farm specifying the quaH
ity OF each variety They enumerate The various manu-
features and trades with the amount OF capital invested
10 the business the quantity and kind oil material ;
the value of each the kind OF power used the number
OF male and female hands employed; the wages paid
and the various productions in quantity KIND and value
They take the aggregate value OF all personal and real
the number OF colleges, academies, and schools the
teachers and taught; with the They take an
account OF tue libraries ewspapets and churches, with
their number character, circulation, and value respect
lively These elementary facts, IL commended, formed
the only basis OF knowledge with respect to peo-
pie and while they illustrated the exact condition
OF that people in wealth, numbers, natural increase,
locations at the same moment, they were so taken
to admit of combinations OF interesting tabular
rangemenis, rich and varied for the OF the moral
ist philosopher, and satist OF all countries. Many OF
the developments OF the census already made known
we're glanced al LIST. The influence OF the foreign pop
uation in their midst, which he contended was OF
rious character that humanity required oil Tor
eign nations more attention to the education oil their ndi
gent population, il the subject viewed only as Affect
Al rhunM fl1H