The daily union., 1854-12-12
PUBLIC DOCUMENT.
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF
THE CENSUS.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

/ census Dihcej Dec. i, 1904
should have disbanded this Office entirely in January
last soon after the appearance of the quarto publication
of ITS results had there been resolution adopted in
both houses OF Congress calling for and condensed
| edition of the census.
The amount Of labor expended upon the new volume can
only be appreciated properly by those who have had
| rence in statistical matters.
To prepare Compendium of The Census was something
more than to prepare compendium Of any particular pub
caton of it, and required frequent and aboous rcexa-
nations Of the These examinations were necessa-
TO test the accuracy OF matter already prepared whole
In part and to furnish additional and valuable ncs
dspensabe to the illustration and completeness Of the work
The computation Of ratio and comparative tables and prep
araon OF notes upon the whole results of the census
cumulatng in the department since $780, and requiring
examination and clerical correction almost every stephe
recastng and combination OF tables to adapt them the
size indicated for the workthe constant
ports of institutions, States cities and foreign countries
and to the schedules of The census with view to
and comparsonhe final superintendent of the press and
examinations Of proof-were sufficient to occupy my
time and that of the few assistants retained for the service
without interruption very nearly the present
think claim for the work the merit of great
densaton awde range of subjects snce contains more
material than the large volume ulness illustration and
systematic arrangement and degree Of accuracy higher
than obtains in general publications In these
respects it will compare dsadvantageously with the
approved statistical publications of other countries
That every care was taken to guard it from
ser having issued circular into county and town
soliciting criticism upon the larger work, submitting the
tables at the time to every possible test in the office
1t is within human power however to arrive at entire
accuracy in these matters.
For the plan of the Compendium, and for many sugge5-
tons in regard to the system of the United States
and to the mode which experience seems to have pointed
out Tor IT'S ameloraton beg to refer you to the ntroduc
tory sheets of the work.
repeat the recommendation made my last report that
the full mortality and manufacturing tables of towns and
counties be published The former have been called for by
physicians medical societies and associations in every
ton of the country and in memorial (Which is annexed
from the national medical convention There is doubt
that although defective in many respects the Of SCI
ence will be promoted by their publication The statistics
OF manufactures equal if not exceed in value those Of the
same kind printed at other periods by government and
have in many particulars been completed date through
the nsrumentay of special circulars. The whole of the
and moralitycan be comprised in
volume little larger than the Compendium For its prep
aration but small appropriation will be required It be-
came necessary in part to complete the matter for the pur
poses of that work
The Census Office, during my connexion with it. has
been sustained upon unexpcnded balance in the treas
ury which charged also with many payments for work
previously accomplished including large amount TO
Hls and their assistants Only sufficient afterrgid
omy remains to provide for the arrangement and presera
ton of the schedules and other papers and documents.
solicit your especial consideration of the of the
persons who have been employed under in the
ton Of this work Though selected for their experience
in statistical matters their zeal and capacity though per-
forming the highest class of duties and often for weeks
time devong extra number of hours daily to the
work, they have since the month Of July received much
lower rate of compensation than any other clerks in Wash
ngtonlower than has been received during the last two
years in this office and greatly lower than during the
Washington this reduction has been seriously felt
could believe it the intention Of Congress TO put
them upon footing than other employees perform
ing similar services but rather conceived ii was from
oversight that they not included in the relief act Of
August 4, 1854 retained them, promising that their
claims should be presented in the proper quarter notwth
standing lucrative positions occasionally OPEN
ing. The amount at best is but small.
Having completed the work with which was charged
except in few particulars which will require brief SUI
pentendencc have disbanded the Office, and with this
tender my resignation of the post of Superintendent OF the
Census take effect in the of the present month
For the confidence and consideration which have
received at your hands and which have endeavored in
every way justify accept the of your obeden
servant }. ID. H. DE BOW.
To the Hon r. McCLEMANp,
Secretary of the Interior