The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-17

This number contains quarterly statements of the
gnano and lumber trade tile fisheries, tonnage ana
immigration, together with variety Of consular re-
ports showing the trade OF Bremen for 1870, tho tax
OH imports at Annoy, &c.
The total number of Immigrants arrived during
the quarter ended March 81, 1870 was 26,046, OF
whom i7l72 we're males ana s. s74 were females,
4.l95 were under fifteen years OF age, 1908 wcro
fifteen and under lorty, and 3.S4s forty and up
wards. or the total number OF immigrants $50
were IRON England, Ass Ireland, 1913 scotland
135 Wales, l,l41 Great Britain mot specified, sup
posed TO he mostly irish, l2ss1 Germany. 5,sll
Austria 1,o7s Canada, 24Gl Nova Scotia. For Occu-
patons and other details see The report
In reply TO the question, why cannot the monthly
reports be ISSUED more pronptlyS the Cnief OF the
bureau OF Statistics desires to say:--lr ~ chieny
owing 10 the great extent OF our country, stretching
as " does from Eastnort to Alaska. aud from Penn
bina to Brownsville, and to the tact that returns
from the more distant well as the larger custom
houses do not reach Washington nnt from forty
I'VE to nifty days after the termination OF each
month, For Instance the returns tor the month or
March, winch appear IN monthly No. g. now in press.
New YORK until the 18th of MAY, while the largess
return for the quarter ended March 81, also pub
lished III No ., did not reach the bureau till May 10
Is , .nereoIc m ,s 70 PUBLISH rs VI
The delay 10 forwarding the monthly returns from
the distant Eorta arises nom the great extent VI tho
customs districts. Some OF these are as large all
England, ana as in the district oil I'll Paso del NOrte,
Texas anu New Mexico some oil the small ports are
IRON 30 10 700 miles from the principal Office or
the district, requiring IN consequence OF limited
postal f1CiILes several WcekS' time TO receive tho
returns from the Outposts. Occasionally mail -
lost.
As more than Onehalf or the foreign trade OF the
country transacted AZ the port oi New OrK great
delay occurs IN making statistical returns. In thia
connection n may be mentioned tflat, In England,
statistical clerks holding their Offices for lite. have
large experience while IN this country the tenure "
Office rs not so assured.
AS the returns from the various customs districts
are received they undergo careful examination,
the errors and discrepancies are ascertained, and,
after correspondence, corrected. Not y moments
unnecessary delay occurs In the examination or
compilation.
Owing to the press OF business AZ the Public
Printing once II usually takes at least two weeks
to get the monthly printed, containing, as 1t does.
much rule ana figure work.
II Is certainly desirable that the monthly reports
be issued as promptly rs Is consistent with accu-
racy. Each successive head OF the bureau has
given the subject thoughtful consideration. 1t has
been suggested that the practice IN England be
adopted, viz.:-That duplicates OF maniicSt6 and
other papers be sent to the bureau ana compiled by
statistical clerks, who have had more experience
than those usually employed In custom houses.
THIS plan may he carried into eject although there
are difficulties to be overcome.
But admitting that ne English Monthly Reports
or Trade ana Navigation are issued at an earlier
period than ours, the adverse comparison hero
ceases. 1t Is submitted whether the unavoidable
delay Is not compensated for by tire superior
racy or statements Published by the United States
bureau Of statistics.