Daily American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1852, 1852-08-05
The senate and the Census.

yesterday, with reference to the compensation OF
the Superintendent of the Census, were of most
extraordinary character, and, when rightly un-
derstood by the public, will be regarded with in
dignation, if not with incredulity
The remarks of Messrs. DAWSON and BELL, as
reported in the Globe Of this morning, reflect in
finite honor upon these gentlemen, and will
afford fair insight to the merits of the case.
In what the Superintendent has offended W,
are totally at loss to understand but it is evi
dent that there is excited against him most un
precedented and yindctive opposition on the par
Of o few persons, whose concerted movements o
late are chiefly characterized by system o
well-studied strategy, as vigilant Us it is unac
countable in the melting motives leading to it.
We have to-day been at some pains to obtain
statement of the facts in this case, which W
in part derive from brief prepared by MI
KENNEDY, and which would have shed much ligl
on the subject had the matter been brought u
at any other time than at the precise me
ment of the absence of large number of tn
members of the Senate and especially of thos
who might be presumed to be disposed to defent
the assailed party.
1t appears that by law of Congress, in 1S49
Census Board was established to prepare plan
for taking the Seventh Census. OF that board,
Composed Of the Secretary of State Attorney Gen
eral, and Postmaster General, Mr.. j. C. G.. Ken
nedy was appointed secretary The Board deci-
ded upon the plan which was submitted to Con-
gress in December, 1S49. Governor Davis took
exception to the plan proposed, but was unfortu-
nate in his efforts to effect any material change
in the details, and they remained substantially as
the board perfected them. Governor Davis was
chairman Of the committee to propose q bill to
provide for taking the census. The Census Board
formally requested him to provide for paying the
salary of their secretary this he declined to do
in fact although he had, at the request of the
board, promised that he would do it; but he re-
ported the bill without any such provision, or
any allusion to the board or its secretary. This
bill was read ,-(Senate Bill No. rs, 1st Sess. Slst
Cong.) 1t provides that the preparatory printing
shall be executed by direction of the Secretary Of
the Interior, by contract to the lowest bidder,
after ten days notice. 1t was detected, as the
journal of proceedings show, that Mr. Davis had
omitted all provision for the salary Of the secre-
tary of the board, leaving him without any COM
pensation; and the attention of the Senate was
called to the fact by Judge Dawson, of Georgia
MIR. Davis then expressed his willingness to
amend his own bill, which he did in the peculiar
phraseology which characterizes it-giying to the
secretary $4,000 per annum, after he had devoted
year to the government service.
Thus the bill went to the House Of Representa-
tives, and was referred to the Judiciary Commit
tee, which suggested many important alterations,
and among others struck from The bill all the pro-
visions Of the Senate respecting the printing and
inserted clause continuing The board, which was
required to go on and do the preparatory print.
ing-in fact all the printing, till Congress should
direct respecting the printing Of the Compilation
This amendment was adopted in the Senate; and
with this provision continuing the Board, the bill
became law the 23d May, 1850. This was only
eight days previous to that day with reference 10
ahteh the census was to be taken IL was utterly
impossible for the census to commence then. and
no one who has any adequate understanding Of
the subject would say otherwise 1t did not com
mence till long after the passage Of the bill. as
marshals throughout the country, to the number
OF three thousand, were to be appointed, their
acceptances received, oaths forwarded. and blanks
and instructions sent. In fact, in the District Of
Columbia, surrounding the Office, il was months
before the work could begin, and the census vos
not taken even here till September and the 70.
turns were made the 18th November. The nre.
liunip AZ otso
gress was subsequently compelled, on the 3Oth
August following, to extend the time in certa,,
portions Of the country. Mr. Kennedy was an
pointed Superintendent of the Census June |
1850, up to which date he received SO. 600 salary
AT the close of the month the disbursinp acen
paid him salary at the rate Of $4,000. Mr.
Kennedy received it, but objected, and sulbmitte,
70 the Secretary of the Interior and the hoard
VINO suggested that all that would be necessar,
= en'i'ie MIN to recover the 1000 would be e
procure the certificate of the hoard ,ha, Ia -,
still in their employ. '''''' - Vs.
This was obtained, and is do,oa -, ,o.o
carrying, in itself, sufficient proos = go
expiration OF bus irst month, claimed tbe b;rbor
salary, which he had previously rsoo;vaas - !.
could be of no other use, and was des;onoa 9,
this purpose alone. Shortly after this ona. !.
fore the recurrence Of payday, the change o..
CURED in the Cabinet, and the Department Of tn,
Interior was without any permanent chief 70,
some time
Ahe matter was submitted to Mr. McKennon
wno declared Mr.. Kennedy entitled to the highes
salary. he, however, did not remain in the de
pSf'ment sufficient length of time to carry into
'nsV' 'ne order Thus it was when Mr.. Stuart