Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-12-19
4a6Iic 1Otament.
Report Of the superintendent of the Census.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
a.


CENSUS OFFICE, December !, 1854.
should have disbanded this Office entirely
in January last, soon after the appearance Of
the quarto publication of its results, had there
not been q resolution adopted in both houses
OF Congress calling for q new and condensed
edition ofthe Census.
The amount of labor expended upon the new
volume can only be appreciated properly by
those who have had experience in statistical
10. prepare Compendium q Eie Censuswas
something more than to prepare compendium
of any particular Publication of il, and required
frequent and laborious re-examinations or the
returns. These examinations were necessary
TO test the accuracy Of matter already prepared
in whole or in part, and to furnish additional
and valuable facts indispensable TO the illus
tFation and completeness of the work. The
computation Of ratio and comparative tables,
and preparation Of notes upon the whole re.
suits of the Census, accumulating in the depart
ment since 1890, and requiring examination
aud clerical correction at almost every step
the recasting and combination of tables to
adapt them to the size indicated for the work
the constant resort to reports Of institutions,
States, cities, and foreign countries, and to the
schedules of the Census, with view to con-
dence Of the press and examinations Of proof
were sufficient to occupy my own time and that
of the few assistants retained for the service,
without interruption, very nearly TO the present
moment.
/ think can claim for the work the merit of
great condensation, wide range of subjects,
(since it contains more material than the large
volume,) fulness Of illustration and system
attic arrangement, degree of accuracy higher
than obtains in our general census publications
In these respects it will not compare, disadvan.
tageously with the most approved statistical
publications of other countries. That every
care was taken to guard it from error / can as
sert, having issued a circular into every county
and town soliciting criticism upon the larger
work, submitting the tables at the same time
TO every possible test in the Office. 1t is not
within human power, however, to arrive at en-
tire accuracy in these matters.
For the plan of the Compendium, and for
many suggestions in regard to the census sys-
TEN of the United States, and to the mode
which experience seems to have pointed out
for its amelioration, beg to refer you to the
introductory sheets of the work.
| repeat the recommendation made in my
last report, that the full mortality ard manu-
featuring tables of towns and counties be pub
the physicians, medical societies and associa-
tons in every section of the country, and in
memorial which is annexed) from the national
medical convention. There is no doubt that
although defective in many respects, the cause
OF science will be promoted by their publication.
The statistics of manufactures equal, if not ex-
coed in value, those of the same kind printed
at other periods by the government, and have,
in many particulars, been completed to date
through the fundamentally Of special circulars.
The whole of the Observation-Disclosures and
mortality-can be comprised in volume little
larger than the Compendium. For its prepa-
ration but a small appropriation viii be re-
quired, as it became necessary in part to com
plete the matter for the purposes of that work.
The Census Office, during my connection
with it, has been sustained upon an unexpended
balance in the treasury, which was charged
also with many payments for work previously
accomplished, including a large amount 10
marshals and their assistants. Only sufficient,
after rigid economy, remains to pr2yide for the
arrangement and preservation OF TN schedules
and other papers and documents.
solicit your especial consideration of the
case of the persons who have been employed
under me in the execution Of this work.
Though selected for their experience in stats
hlSdi NuSlf Icni lhOuRn
performing the highest class Of duties, and
often for weeks AT a time devoting an extra
number Of hours daily to the work, they have,
since the month Of July, received a much
lower rate OF compensation than any other
clerks in Washington-lower than has been
received during the last two years in this
Office, and greatly lower than during the pre-
yious fiscal year. at tie present high prices
Of living in Washington this reduction has
been seriously felt. As / could not believe it
was the intention OF Congress to put them
upon worse footing than other employees
performing similar services, but rather con-
ceived it was from an oversight that they we're
not included in the relief act of August 4,
1854, j retained them, promising that their
claims should be presented la the proper quar-
ter, notwithstanding more lucrative positions
were occasionally opening. The amount at
best is but small.
Having completed the work with which ]
was charged, except in a few particulars, which
will requfte brief superintendent, i have
disbanded the Office, and with this, tender my
resignation Of the post Of Superinte ndent OF
the Census, TO take effect in the course Of the
present month.
For the confidence and consideration which
] have ever received at your hands, and which
j have eDdeavored in every way TO justify, ex-
cept the assurances Of your obedient servant,
j. d. B. DEB0W.
To the Hon. r. McCLErLAYD,
,SecreidrU of the Inferior