, 1872-11-10
THE NATIONAL STATISTICS.

oAt u tuo Nlutu IeneuH, mas just made report
to the Secretary Of the Interior, concerning the
progress OF his work, which contains many e1-
planations OF interest, and many suggestions Of
value. An act Of Congress, in 1871, authorized
the issue OF extended tables that should be
more comprehensive than any former
census reports. There are three large
qunrto volumes,-the Population tables, the
"Vltal Statistics" and the "In6tustry of the
United States" Tho completion Of the frat
two volumes is promised in timo to lay upon the
tables Of Congressman ut the beginning Of tho
coming session, and the last will bo issued early
IN January. Tho maps accompanying this full
census report are described as possessing ereat
advantages in picturing the sanitary and
industrial interests Of the country. In addition
to the material afforded the Department by
its own census returns, eoveral eminent
scholars have contributed important data
for this particular work. Professor Joseph
Henry, Of tho Smithsonian Institute, and Pro-
fessor Charles 4. schott. Of the Coast Survey
Office, have added maps showing the annual dis
tribution Of rain and the COURSES taken by the
lines OF equal temperature, which are expected
to become important adjuncts in the develop
ment of agricultural interests, and in determine
ing the relative conditions Of human life in
various sections Of the country. Professor 4.
Guyot, Of Princeton College, has contributed
physical map Of the country, to which Professor
schott has added acomplete and accurate series Of
elevations. Professor Hitchcock, Of Amherst,
has furnished geological map, which exhibits
Bix principal formations. Besides these. there
are charts attached to the volume On popu1a-
tion, showing the density Of total population; !;
the distribution Of the co1ored and foreign ele-
ments OF our people; the dispersion over the
various States Of the different nationa1ities that
make up our foreign population; the compare
tive wealth and education Of the different
sections, and the geographical and polit-
ical divisions Of the United States at
all periods between the formation of the Gov
eminent and the last census year. Tho volume
on Vital Statistics has maps showing the range,
and the comparative degrees OF prevalence, Of
four general groupings Of disease -consump-
ton, typhoid fevers, ms1arial diseases, and dys-
entery and its collaterals. The volume Of In
dustry has charts showing the range and COM
parative cultivation Of cotton, corn. wheat
hny, aud tobacco. 4 full index accompanies
these extended tables, 60 as to render them easv
OF reference.
While there is q prospect that these new CEN
suB publications will be- the most thorough, COM
prehensive, and Intelligent that have ever boon
made in the countzy-for which General Walk
ers eminent Statistical ability and honest appu-
cation must receive the credlt-there is bitter
complaint OF the harassing difficulties with
which the law Of 1850 besot the work Of collect
ing the material for the CENSUS reports. Gen.
eral Walker characterizes the law as "clumsy.
antiquated, and barbarous," and says that the
machinery for which it provides is
IS unfit for use as the smooth-bore.
Queen's-Arm OF the Revolution
would be for service against tho repeating rifle
OF the present time" He is of the opinion that,
II it we're not for the wretched insuficiency and
Appropriateness Of the provisions of this law,
the entire compilation Of the Census returns
could be completed within year from the re-
ceipt Of the first return. In recommending to
Congress the repeal Of this law and the substi-
tuition Of one more liberal and comprehensive.
General Walker a1sorecommendst the preparation |
Of an extra CENSUS in 1876 as an appropriate
feature OF the centennial celebration Of the fol-
lowing year, intended to fx the first grand epoch
in the industrial and social progress Of the coun-
try. He thinks too, that its tria} would lead to
The taking OF the census once overy Ave years,
instead Of every ten years, according to |
the present regulation. II, with the |
necessary improvements, the work could I
Do completed within q year from the
date of beginning, this Recommendation
night have force enough to warrant it's adoption,
Census Report, such as will be- presented in
'he extended tables thus briefly eescribed is
oasis for physical, social, and industrial knowl-
'dge that cannot but contribute immensely to
he progress Of the Nation.