The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-01-28
WASHINGTON.
The Delay In Census Returns-Ne.
gr0es Don't Make Good Census
Takers.

kue DeIHy HI Sehsus hctuEhS--sS.
Eroes Don't Make Good Census
Takers.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27.-The House
Judiciary committee are waiting for a
complete official report of the popula-
ton of the States and territories before
reporting the apportionment bill, the
main features Of which have been agreed
upon, being the one prepared by Judge
Mercer. The census bureau is greatly
delayed by the failure to receive the
returns from South Carolina and Texas
The disturbed political condition OF
these States and detects in the law-the
bureau having no power over assistant
marshals, either to appoint them or to
punish them for issuing late or fraud
ulent returns-has had much to do with
this delay. There have been complaints
against the bureau for alleged incom.
pleteness Of the returns in various
localities. These complaints all ap-
pear to be founded on the partial state
ments furnished by the marshals to
newspapers and accepted by the public
as official. These returns, when exam
ined by the cencus officials here, have
often been found to be very far from
accurate, 80 that in some cases 1t has
been necessary to make the enumera-
ton second time, causing much delay
and trouble. The delays in the South
are largely due to the appointment by
marshals of improper persons as assist
ant marshals and enumerators. In
many cases these officers were ignorant
negroes, who did not dare to 60 into
their district during the day. Some OF
them have been detected pawning their
blanks and certificates for liquor.
Superintendent General Walker did not
discover that any sub divisions were
missing until an attempt was made IN
the office here to make up tables, and
then it required much time to ascertain
why the report had not been made and
to order the appointment of new officers
and a new count.
ku kluN HumbuS.
The select committee appointed to
examine into the alleged Southern out
RACES is conducting its inquistlon daily
in secret. States and communities are
being trie.l in secret, accused in secret,
and there is no publicity and no privil-
eye Of cross examining witnesses by the
counsel of communities, those put on
trial and menaced with punishment.
So far, little has been done in the way
of examining witnesses. The case Of
Governor Holden has been examined,
and his testimony is in direct contradic-
ton to the last message Of his father,
declaring that good order exists in
North Carolina. This state appears to
be the first point Of attack by the
radicals, and the idea probably
is to offset the proof to be
given on Holden's trial of atrocities,
hanging and torturing men, practiced
by his militia under Kirk, and others.
Senator Pool has furnished list of wit
nesses to Mr.. Scott. In addition to
Pools swift witnesses, it is probable the
committee will summon ex-Govcrnor
Graham, United States Judge Brooks,
the Federal District Attorney, and other
men of that character. The investiga-
ton promises to cover a good deal Of
ground, and to be very tedious and cost
ly to Southern tax payers. Southern
Radicals insist on general reconstruc-
ton OF the Southern States, but the af-
fair will probably degenerate into a
mere election document, like the celebra-
ted Howard report, of like character,
five wears ago