New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-08-22
VALUE OF THE UNITED STATES
CENSUS.

n.
tary division of the Mississippi, has recently
addressed letter to Mr.. Jos. G. G. Kennedy
long and until recently connected with the
Census. which is as remarkable for magma
nimty as it is interesting for its statements and
generous acknowledgment of the great public
services rendered by one of the civil officers OF
the Government in bringing the late Rebellion
to close. 1t appears that, early in thewar
Gen. Sherman called upon Mr.. Kennedy to
ascertain what representations were at COM
mand whereby he could soonest be informed
regarding the resources of the Southern States
where he had been assigned to an important
service. To the great delight of the General
he ascertaned that Mr.. Kennedy had COM
menced the very work his own mind had pic
tured as essential to the efficient prosecution OF
the war; but which was at the time temporarily
laid aside, because the Secretary of War, to
whom it had been exhibited, did not seem to
appreciate its Importance This work consisted
of maps of portion Of the Southern country,
describing the railways, roals, mountains,
streams, population, live stock il kind, grains,
grasses, sugar, cotton. &c, &C., all clearly
developed by counties. The clear military
perceptions Of Gen. Sherman impressed him
with the importance of having these maps COM
pleted at the earliest possible moment, and his
demands found prompt response in Mr.. Ken
nedy, who Immediately placed a large force
upon the work, and had the maps in readiness
almost at the moment the General was prepared
to take command of his splendid army. And
now, when the smoke OF war clears away, the
victorious General, magnanimous as brave,
acknowledges the services which aided in the
accomplishment of success, and, while honorlng
Mr.. Kennedy, inscnsibly honors himself more
in the estimation of mankind. In his letter, oil
which we have the original, dated Hcadquar-
tiers, Military Division Of the Mississippi, st.
Louis, Mo-, Aug. Is, 1865, after expressing in
feeling terms his regret that the country Is
likely to be deprived of statistical services so
usefully rendered, because Of the failure OF
appropriation, he writes:
81 now avail self OF the opportunity to give You
credit for what have cften mentioned to others-ihe
4
wherein our armies have operated which enabled those
armies to trace their routes OF supply which Otherwise
would have been subjected 10 blind chance and u may
be 10 inter failure The General then refers To lis
preconcoved appreciation OF ihe necessity OF maps such
as We have described IN DrO"r ito operate on long
lines beyond the possibility o supply from the rear y OF
his application therefor and the prompt response with
which "such map aud "ttniislcnl tables arranged
with great convenience and completeness. we're sup.
piled and continues follows; " Nv means OF these
could easily know where the fertile and GUILTY. aied lands
Law with their products in animals grain &c. 20 that
the moment was prepared 10 cat Loose ~ were rom
base OF supply knew exactly where 10 LOOK iof pd
Tho closing scenes OF rcccut demonstrated the
yalle Of these statistical tables and facts for there Ii
reasonable probability thoi, without Them would nol
have undertaken what was done aud vtpt setncd a
puzzle TO the wisest and Most efpsiencea soldiers Of
the world Even apart from the vast impor anee OF
knowing AZ any and all times the wealth and resources
OF the country this war consideration nov reduced %
result Will more than pensa,e for all the expense
incurred in the collection Of these statistics 10 You
personally freely confess my great sense OF obligation
for. knowing the trltwoithin.ss oil bose slatistoa u
bles / was enabled to act with confidence that IN.
sured success aud therefor beg 70 do you all honor
Hoping that Congress may soon remove present obsa
ces. and that you may Hive long to continue ~ the
sphere OF usefulness thus begun, subscribe Myself
Nv r. SnEEMAS Major Cen
"Jos. c. G. Kennedy. esq, Census Bureau, Washing
\ ton, ID. c."
In view Of such II testimonial and Of that we
gave the other day from DIR. Farr of London,
and the numerous appeals from distinguished
men, Boards Of Trade, and manufacturing asso.
Citations, throughout the country, it seems singu.
lar that, for the want Of funds sufficient to pay
the salary of the Superintendent of the Census, a
work which thus far has been so successfully
prosecuted should be assigned TO the charge Of
q Bureau with sufficient duties to occupy its at.
81 -
so easy to find the means, with or without law,
to organize Bureaus and incur expenditures
never contemplated by Congress.
/ GIVE THEM FAIR PLAY.