The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-02-20
THE DAY BOOK.
The Eighth Census.

This great national work is now being
broug ht into operation, and will doubtless
be accomplished with more success, as its
prosecution will be attended with greater
energy and rapidly, on account OF tho bet
ter experience in its management. In 1901
the plan was adopted, and the Seventh cen
sus was an exp ri neut the conducting OF
which demanded caution. The comparative
success of that work has inspired degree
Of confidence which will insure the vigorous
execution of the egth census. and the early
embodiment OF its results in a manner graft
fyine to the country, and OF interest to the
world at large.
The first circular to the Marshals has al
ready emanated from the Department, and
directs those ofticersto qualify for the dis
charge of their respective duties by oath or
affirmation, and instructs them how to sub
divide their several judicial districts, that
this work may commence on the first day OF
June, and be completed in every State and
Territory within the earliest practicable Pc
riod. In few weeks set OF instructions
drawn up with great par ticularity and care,
them thoroughly OF every detail of this SER
vice, and containing directions respecting
all the minuti8 OF the duties OF assistants in
the work OF enumeration. In the prepare
ton of these instructions the returns OF the
seventh census were carefully examined, and
the case of every deficiency studied with
view to the removal of all obscurity and the
supply OF every needed light to insure per-
feet uniform and early return Of results; so
that if any failure should attend the prose-
cution OF any portion OF the work 1t will be
chargeablc to bad appointments bys the
Marshals, which is not anticipated, or indii-
ference on the part of the people, which their
general intelligence will not justify any one
in apprehending.
The first duty of the Census Office, after
the receipt of the returns, will consist In
making the Congressional appointment OF
members OF the House of Representatives
among the several States, according to their
representative population.
The effect of this wise and salutary pro-
vision will be to reduce the present number
OF members, which has grown, BY the ad-
mission of new States, to the number Provi-
ded by the law of May %, 1850, viz !: 233;
and, SO long as this law stands unrepealed,
to bring back The plumber of representa-
tiyes every ten years to this starting point.
The assistants to be employed by the
Marshals in the work OF enumeration are
appointed by the officers, who are held re-
sponsible for the faithful performance OF
duty. The schedules are supplied by the
Census Office, and distributed through the
Marshals, to the assistants, to each OF whom
will be furnished suitable and substan
tial portfolio for the protection OF the re-
turns.
The Marshals are paid at the rate OF from
ST. to ST 20 for each one thousand persons
returned by the assistants; and the latter are
paid certain rates fer each entry and for
copies made.
The assistants make returns to their Marsh
ais, and the latter to the Census Office. Such
is the programme of this great operation,
which is to inclade the personal status u
near thirty million of people ON the first day
of June, 1860, and develOpe the resources of
an infant but giant republic-the whole
machinery whereof will be conducted with
out confusion, and in a manner to command
public approval and confidence.