Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1852-04-02
o. The last Montpelier Watchman contana
the following as it's leading editorial -:
The Census-ImpOrtant.

That the result Of the late census for 1850
in this State has been a matter of surprise to
many of our citizens who have given their at
ten,on to the subject is unguestionable. In
several towns and in one or two counties,
great establishment has been felt, and doubts
entertained as TO the correctness Of the emu
mera,ion.
1t now appears that some Of the Deputy
Marshas have taken only the residents OF towns
for the year 1851 whereas the State is emit
tied to have enumerated persons who where
actual residents, June, |, 1850 A moments
reflection will show that, wherever this error
has been committed, great INJUSTICE has been
done. IL the town Of Chester, for instance,
lhirty-eight families were left out.
1t therefore becomes OF the most importance
that towns and counties look up this matter al
once, both as to their representation in the
State Senate, the division Of the public money,
and the representation in Congress.
As we understand the natter the persons
who taEe the census should make returns to
the Secretary Of State, the county Clerks and
to the town Clerks,--to enable the people to
correct errors 1t is only necessary, now, we
suppose, TO examine these returns in the hands
of the town Clerks, and ascertain what names.
if any, have been omitted. Such omissions
can easily he corrected by proving the fact TO
the superintendent of census. 1t Is not diff
cult matter for the Constable OF Il town to look
up The nameo Of persons who have been over
looked aud make proper proof that they were
inhabitants Of the town June l, 1850, aud for
wand to Mr.. Kennedy at Washington.
We allude to this subject because it may be
important to counties and towns, and because
it is not impossible but that the State is entitl-
ed to four Representatives in Congress. 1t is
worth the trouble, 10: erery town 10 investigate
the subject.
1t is undoubtedly matter Of some impor-
lance. aud "worth the trouble" Of tho neceSsa-
ry investigation, TO ascertain the actual census
of the several towns and countlcs. We are
sorry that it IS likely to turn out that the cen
sus of $50 will be but little more though it
will he n;ore) reliable than that of IL 10, which
was mere burlesque Of census. Tho eX-
pcnse Of the thing is enormous, and abundant
! ly sufficient to secure accuracy, ana ought to
secure it.
The error partlcularl4ed by the Patriot is
/ gross and unplrdonabe, for we believe the in
| strUctions were sufficiently explicitly and II It
were Likely that similar ones were made to any
! considerable extent would demand serious IN
vestigaton Hat we hardly think enough o.
such mistakes on the part of Deputy Marshal'
can have been made, to warrant the apprehen-
sve conclusions Of the PARROT. To entille
Vermont to four Representatives, in Congress
the ratio he!ng 93,7 l6l she should have at ieaS
374, S6i inhabitants ;-whcreas her population
is found, by the last census, to be but 3ll ,l2O
That errors to the amount Of nearly 81 900 il
such an aggregate could have been made, i
scarcely possible. Again: the ratio of increas
in our popu!alon from le30 to $40 was sta
ted to be per cent, while from lol0 to 1850
as Just ascertained, it is 7,53, or nearly double
the former. These statistics would appear t
rebu, any presumption of es'cnsire error in tn
enumeration for cur State, though the blunder
mentioned by the Patriot are undenlably vex
atious.
: We should not be surprised, land we sugges
= the idea to the Patriot,l if the recent censu
n were found. after all, TO be about as correct a
: 'falble humans" could make, or ought t.
expect.