Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-08-19
MOecester 4atlg Spp
From the Maine Farmer.
Unreliability of Census Refu


"The returns of the United States census are
grossly inaccurate and Enthusiastically from
beginning to end and afford a most unsatis-
factory basis for forming a correct Judgment
OF the present condition of the agriculture of
the state; but the returns of the assessors,
though themselves far from perfect, are more
accurate and worthy of confidence and afford
valuable means of correction in many cases.
The worthlessness of the United States CEN
sus is probably owing to two prominent
causes, which will vitiate this and every sub
sequent census till these causes are removed.
The first is the carelessness and apparent want
OF interest in making out the blanks at head
quarters, as if the inquiries were of no con-
sequence. This arises, perhaps, in a great
measure, from well founded conviction of
the utter worthlessness of the returns whom
they are made, owing to the second cause,
which is the manner in which the statistics
are collected by the assistant United States
marshals all over the country, who, one would
suppose, are appointed wholly without refer
ence to fitness for their work
The immense patronage and the boundless
political favoritism connected with this as well
as other branches OF the public service will
probably ensure its continuance, or at least
make 1t extremely difficult to break it up, and
substitute some more efficient system in its
place. But it would seem as if the statistics
might be returned by the assessors of towns.
the county commissioners, or, in cases where
these officers do not exist by the boards of
supervisors of counties, or other officers chosen
or appointed for their fitness to make these in
quiries, in which case they would be worthy
OF greater confidence. Perfection is. of
course, out ofthe question, but an approxima-
ton to accuracy is certainly attainabie."
We make the above extract from the last
annual report of Secretary Flint, of the Mas
sachusetts Board of Agriculture In support
OF these remarks the returns of the u, S.
marshaIs are compared with those of the
assessors, and as more reliance is placed upon
the latter than the former, it shows how far
from correct the census returns are. The
assessors make returns of 81, 657 more tons of
hay; 1908 more horses; 26,507 more COWS :;
1892 more sheep, and 1902 less swine than
is given IN the returns of the census marshals.
These differences it would seem are owing to
gross negligence on the part of the U. S.
marshals, as they make no return of horses
from the city OF Boston, while the assessors
make returns-the same year-of Sill.
This Item alone, makes difference in the
valuation of that city of $766, $50, or differ
ence in the valuation of the state of Mas
sachusetts of $3,4S5, 672 in one item!
In our own state the same inaccuracies
doubtless occur AT the session of our legis-
lature last winter an act was passed author
lzing the collecting of reliable statistics of
our agriculture. But we think the act was
made in an unfortunate time, for many farm
ers we wot of, thought it had something to do
with raising their taxes, and they did not in
reality give in the full amount of their stock
and farm productions. Besides, in the blanks
furnished the assessors, the items of peas and
beans were both omitted. Why this was done
we are unable to tell, but every one must be
aware that the total amount of these two
crops raised by farmers of late years, make
no inconsiderable yearly return, and should
not be left out.
Our plan for the collecting of agricultural
statistics would differ somewhat from that
now in operation, and would, we think, be
more generally correct. The form of the
blanks for returns would also be considerably
modified. We would have every district
school agent collect the farming statistics of
his own district this he could do with more
Judgment being acquainted with each farmer
than the assessor who resides in another
part of the town. The several agents should
present their returns to the assessors, to be
forwarded by them to the secretary of state