The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-23
How the City was Divided and Enume
rators Appointed.
Portions of the City Omitted
in the Canvass.
STATISTICS OF THE FIRST WARE.
Occupations Of Residents and valu.
alton OF Dwellings,.

The census returns of this city have, with few
ceptons been handed in and from reliable information
as well as from direct evidence OF the fact it may safely
be averred that incomplete incorrect comp-
aon oe matter of any kind could scarcely be obtained
The division of the city made, and
THE ENUMERAToRs,
four hundred and thirtytwo nnumber, appointed
by The officials at Albany who have charge Of the mat
ter on what basis the division founded nobody
he to knowwhethcr according to the size of the
wards the size ofthe Assembly districts, whether it
was made that the work for the enumeators might BE-
eq ally divided. Some OF the enumerators make their
returns as portions of certain wards others portions Of
certain Assembly districts, while others return theirs
the population of New York city. Some OF the
divisions in the shape of paralelogram,
comprising four six blocks. Others are 81"
81 aped and others still scattered through different
portions Of Assembly or Adermanic district. In two
lhec instances two cnumeraors had been appointed
90 the district, and their work cashing they were
obliged suspend operations and await instructions from
Albany. 1t is equally impossible to determine
HOW THE ENUMERAToRs WERE CHOSEN
the work already brought in shows that some of them
iI!itcrete void OF common Judgment and in fact
possessed OF very little OF the many qualifications
would expect to find in persons undertaking work
SO much importance. At least vesixhs of the enume
gators do not exhibit in their even passabe pen
nanship. 1t was evidently
THE INTENTION OF THE STATE AUTHORITIES
t. have elaborate statistics this time than had ever
been obtained sought for in any previous canvass and
tho blanks which furnished the enumerators con
taincd two hundred and eighty nine different head gs
ultar which returns were to be made.
The cnumerators required to give the number OF
ii "a; the materials Of which the houses were built
and their valuation; the names OF all the inhab
rc:aon to tho head of the family ' nativity yU
station IN life past and presents profession, trade or oc
cupnton VIII voter or alien coored persons II not
FAXED owners OF land twenty end not able to
rc I'd or write; and whether now formerly in the mill
Gary or naval service of the United States The enume
reors were also obliged to make additional inquiries for
particulars regarding the deaf and dumb blind, insane
and ido;ic; relating to officers and who
who have been in the military naval service of the
United States in the present war; number of marriages
mn deaths which have occurred in the district during
ta year ending June l. 1866 deaths of officers and en-
n led mcn which have occurred In the military or naval
OF the United States from wounds disease
acquired IN said service SINCE April 1851 besides reports
co. the Industry OF the district, miscellaneous Statistics
and circulation Of newspapers and periodicals In
the district number OF cows, horses and mules; number
sol hotels inns or taverns and stores; remarks tho
mortality Of the year ending June /, 1865; remarks
the influence Of the upon prices, wages, credit
s me- pa perism and other social changes with general
and sccaneous remarks and observations by the
mcrator upon other important subjects
CURlosITIEs OF CENSUS LITERATURE.
Many of the cnuerators appear to have been ignorant
and consequently have neg to obtain the desired
information. Others adherng closely the wording of
dia questions, return answers which, although literally
correct yet show want OF common sense the part
os the compiler In the First ward for instance Of
the enumeators under the h ad Of profession, trade
occupation has made for every nhabitant
in his district
he ret;rns one person as 'lunntic by profession.
10 children who attend school he gives the profession,
ssSchools
person enfeebed by old age he gives the profession
Chdtcn too young to go out he returns having
trade profession, and the mothers OF families
shousoseepers." He also particular
dat children Of two or three years old single"
He also gives the names OF persons just as they were
aold to him, without seeming TO possess any judg
instances "Biddy," "Pat," .'Dick," "Tom," "Mike,'
saIry, SAMMY" and SO on TO the end Of the chap
ter.
OLD HEADS ON YOUNG SHOULDERS.
Another enumeration in this ward makes return Of
amy, tie male head of which is thirtyfour years OF
child sixty five years Of age. In several Instances
he returned males with female names, and ve
twice in canvassng districts but the ehumerators
required TO make copy OF their returns previous
medic n Of Common sense thew could not have over
looked such number OF remarkable ncongrutes.
FAMILIES AND BLocgs OMITTED
Many families, not only IN the First ward, but in sew
ora other wards have not been visited by the
snis a. all, and In very popuous division OF the
Four,conth ward entire block has been omitted II
4 difficult TO say whether these omissions inten-
fna but there can no be remedy found under existing
circumstances.
40 HEAD To THE BNUMERATING FORCE
There was residing In or acquainted with the
city appointed to act head OF the canvassng force TO
supcrintcnd the work as 1t handed and It could
be expected that the officials at Albany would detect
cndcavor very earnestly to correct any mistakes or
omissions which might be detrimental 10 the city Each
of the enumerators acted his own responsibility and
best suited his convenience, and this taken In con
necon with the foregoing facts will show 1t IL not to be
wondered at that the for city will be fearfny
Incorrect and that reliance whatever can be placed
them as determining the status Of the metropolis.
RETURNS OF THE FIRST WARD.
The following statistics have been culcd from the
returns for the First ward The returns are not made
out a. given below; but the several amounts be
vouched for agreeing with the returns Of enumcraors
and have been thus arranged for the purpose Of more
ready reference tH
DWELLINGS FAMILIES.
Dwelling houses In the ward. 02S
FamiIics in the ward. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 1880
Il nabitints In tho ward. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. gs7s
Valuation OF dwellings In the ward s. 900 100
Il .-.i.i.ie of the XaId uaalca AHA