The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-10-31
THE CENSUS.

IT is stated that, in consequence of the COM
plants made of the inaccuracy of the census
in New York city and county, the President
has directed that, so far as count of the
population, with the divisions of age, sex,
and color are concerned, the census of New
York shall be retaken. There are many rea-
sons why similar course should be adopted
here, as there can be no doubt that the census
of Philadelphia is more grossly Inaccurate
than that of New York. 1t is now we'll un-
derstood that in one or two wards of this
city where decline of population in the last
decade was reported, in the face of largo
increase in the number of voters, the assis-
tant marshal manifestly failed to discharge
his duty on account of threats Of violence.
This is a lamentable confession, and it fur
nishes an ample cause for retaking the census
here even if no other cause could be shown.
1t is reported, however, that the Superin-
tendent of the Census Bureau, with the self
sufficiency which too often characterizes such
officials, pronounces the returns to be imma-
culate; and as iti extremely doubtful whether
the claims of Republican Philadelphia to
recount will be as favorably considered as the
clamors of noisy Democratic New York, we
should depend upon ourselves, and Councils
should hasten to perfect scheme for ascer-
tanning our true population. We publish
elsewhere in to-day's TELEGRAPH a de-
scription of the census system in Great
Britain, which is much more accu-
rate and complete than the American
method, and is therefore well worthy of
the attention of those who wish to have the
contemplated work we'll done. The plan
suggested in Councils of appointing five
policemen in each ward is partially liable to
the serious objection that it imposes on each
officer heavier duty than he will be likely
to discharge quickly and properly. In Great
Britain, it will be seen, each enumeration dis
trict is very small, the average number of in
habitants being only 537. Congress, in
arranging the present census system, has
had carefully in view the petty object of Gre
ating host of little offices, each one of which
was made of sufficient importance to add to
the partisan influence of the donor of this
patronage. If we are to have municipal
census this error should be avoided. What
the public want to know is how many bona
fide residents there are in Philadelphia (and
it would be well if the entire enumeration
could be completed in a single day.,
and the desire of politicians to
make capital out of this matter
should at once give way to
considerations affe citing the public welfare.
If five policemen, only, for each ward are
appointed, some of them will have districts
counting population of nearly ten thousand
and there is little doubt that in such cases the
enumerators would omit to count portion of
such large number. If half the entire
police force of Philadelphia act as enumera-
tors, they could, by proper subdivision of
labor, and the previous preparation of
schedules, complete the census in few days.
Whether policemen or other appointees are
chosen, the leading feature of the Britt b
system - small enumeration districts - is
worthy of imitation.