The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-07


have been few slight corrections but there has been
no material alteration, change, modification from that
Time to this. Yet now. after the lapse OF nearly two
years since the census taken, we are called upon
10 say that California has population sufficient to emit
lie her TO two members cannot concur IN this think
II would be dangerous procee any such principle
Nobody complain OF me OF having anything but
the best disposition 10 do full justice to California.
have done heretofore. There members OF the
Senate whom would 20 further 10 accommodate and
crafty in matter OF opinion than the distinguished gen
tiemen who represent California this floor But II
does seem 10 as i did to the chairman OF the com
mitlse, Mr. BUTLER whose absence now | very much
regret that il would be departing from all rule, and be
doing great injustice TO the other States TO admit,
mere coDjectural computation AN additional member for
California AT any rate, il the Senate shall contrary TO
my impression, allow California additional member
then certainly shall insist that Louisiana shall have
additional menber For y wouid Dc hard measure OF
justice, indeed, TO deny to my State member very
large fraction, equal believe to about one-ha OF the
ratio Tor whole member, and yet give TO- California
member about half the fraction which Louisiana has
Ii the proposition OF the minority OF the committee should
be adopted. shall certainly very earnestly lnsis that
Louisiana be allowed additional member because, if
you increase the number and depart from the Tule you
say that equity and justice require that California have
additional member, though ii is contrary to my opn
onbe but certainly you cannot say, at the came
time, that Louisiana shall not have additional member
on fraction nearly twice large that of California
Mr.. BRADBURY. The Senate will perceive at once
that this is very important question II is no less than
hs Shall State be deprived OF her just representation
on account OF the mperecion or want OF an accurate
census Of her population ! lh,nk It can De hardly
uesoned that California possessed the requisite pOpua
ton TO entte her TO her present representation IN the
House OF Representatives bat turns out that the Gen.
returns defective 10 leave her fraction
above the ratio tor one rep rspresen.avemop sma, or
ceved at the Census Bureau with some additions which
have been admitted by the committee. give California
population oil ll7,3lS and il upon the basis OF this
enumeration that the honorable senator from Louisiana
Mr. DowKsl feels bound to deprive that State OF IFS
present representation and cut il down to single repre-
sentative. My opinion that before we deprive State
the returns accurate approximate to accu
racy | do not content that for slight inaccuracies we
should set aside the returns but when they
grossly erroneous to furnish approximation TO
the true number OF the population of State entitled TO be
enumerated, il would be unwse and unsafe TO establish
the precedent that would adhere 10 thcm and
apporton the representation upon them 1t may hap
pen hereafter that this may become very important
question-much so even, than in this case. 1t
will be remembered that il is the duty OF the federal
government, and not of the State authorities, TO see
that the census is taken. This duty does not de,
vove upon the State governments they have no control
over if. If. then, The officers appointed by The federal
government neglect their duty and make no accurate re
turns OF any enumeration OF the people OF STATE IS II
sale, IL just that will adhere to whatever may De
received in the form OF return, though known TO be
false and acknowledged 10 be imperfect on lis iace and
make such false and imperfect returns The basis oil repre-
senlalion. | think not On this principle State might
be deprived OF its entire representation IN the other
House, with the exception Of single representative, if
duced to single representative and that for no fault OF
hers, but from the neglect of the agents OF the federal
government This is. indeed, fearful penalty to fall
upon party guilty OF no FAULT. and most dangerous
principle for us TO sanction
The first inquiry in this thea whether the cen
returns OF the population OF California that have been
made are accurate approximate to accuracy! Ii they
do would adhere TO them, and take them Tor the basis
OF apporlionment But this not the So far from
H. the pretended returns impeacbed by The very ocer
who had charge of the in that State. propose
for moment call the attention oil the Senate TO some
OF the facts that show these returns are too grossly mac
curae 10 be depended upon any degree wateve; aud
apprehend that when that fact is established the State
will be deprived OF its just representation upon such
an erroneous basis is, we know not whose turn y
will be next nor what State will be the next sufferer, II
false principle is adopted now, TO become precedent
for the future.
In April 1851 il became important for the legislature
OF California to ascertain her population Tor the purpose
OF appoonng the State for and senators
in the State legislature. Application made 10 the
agent OF California for the census TO enable The
Legislature 10 make that apportionment The State had
right TO expect that under the authority oil The federal
government the accurate census OF her population would
be taken that would furnish the information desired.
Tho census agent addressed 10 the committee OF the es
laure appointed for that purpose communication, IN
answer TO inquiries made TO him, IN which he stated, IN
substance, that the returns were not complete and were
so defective that reliance could not be placed upon them
He says after what had been done the way OF obtain
ing this census OF about $4,000:
"The result of this enumeration, when completed. will,
with all reasonable probability fall short OF the entire pop
Of the State from 80 so per cent Such result
naturally the mind OF every conveant
with surrounding those engaged In the
mines-probaby the most numerous OF onr popuiauon-
cd localities whilst Others constantly changing their
places of abode thus absolutely precludng the possibility
Of their being found at all by the csnsrs-Han"
Thus il will be seen that the returns which we have
mpeached by the very census agent who had charge
of the business in he Stale. But the Committee the
Judiciary did not stop here. They received information
from the representatives and senators from that State,
which is believed to be entitled TO respect The repre-
senta,vcs both stated facts within their knowledge,
showing the gross ioaccuracy OF the returns and the
manifest injustice that would be done by adopting them
rs the basis OF an apportionment and OF them
duced to writing facts which It may be important Tor
the Senate to consider. The honorable MIR. McCorke,
one of the representatives, concurs with the census
agent in regard TO the mpeecton OF these returns 10
show how grossly imperfect they are, will read to the
Senate one or extracts from his communication:
"As an illustration Of gross inaccuracy of the
from California, will give you my estimates OF
in the northern part oil the Sthto-counties
with witch am perfectly familiar, and in which have
resided for the last two years and hali
The couny OF Shasta returned by the commissioner
having population of three hundred aud seveny-eght
of which larger population than the commits
soner returned for the whole county.
"The population Of Shasta county estimate at six
thou usand on the first day OF June. 1850"
Here we have the estimate OF gentleman who was
familiar with the people Of the county, that there were
least six thousand inhabitants at the time o the CEN
sus and vet three hundred and seventy eight only are
turned Can il be coniepded that State is to be bound
by such a miscalled enumeration Again, he says;
"Tripty county which, since June, 1850 has been d.
vided and the county Of Klamath set OIL and organized
contained that date population OF not less than eight
hundred and returned by the commissioner al one thou
sand six hundred and thirtyive. t-,
three thousand five hundred and seventyiouI My resi-
deuce, during the year S9 and the spring ot s was IN