The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-08-15
The Census Of Tangipahoa.
correspondence on the Subject.
The subjoined correspondence explains it.


ANTE, La, August 10, 1875.
Sr-For the information Of your readers in the
parish Of Tapgipahoa, and all others interested
10 the taking OF the census of this State, please
give space to the following communication to
Col. VIM Wright, State Registrar OF Voters, rela-
tive to the official conduct Of Charles Fl. jackson,
Supervisor of Registration for said parish
The original letter ian exact copy OF which is
herewith furnished tor publcation) was for
warded through the mail to Col. Wright on the
9TH inst, from whom, as yet, no reply has been
received. l wrote to him because the third sec
ton of Act No. 26, approved April 8, 1875, pro.
vides "that the State Registrar OF Voters shall
have general supervision OF taking the census I"
The said letter. concluding with a protest, will
explain ITSELF II taken from and based upon
official records and figures.
In addition to the disclosures set forth in the
letter to Col. Wright, / have, since the date
thereof ascertained from sources perfectly relia-
BILE that many white people of the parish, some
of them in the immediate vicinity Of the Super
Usors residence, were not furnished with forms
or blanks, and were never called upon either by
MIR. Jackson or his clerks, or any person author.
lied to represent him.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
BOLIVAR EDWARDS.
The letter above referred to was as follows !:
ANTE CRY,
PARISH OF TANGIPAHoA, La,
August 6, 1875.
Hon. VIM Wright, State Registrar of Voters:
certified copy Of the original return Of the
census Of this Parish by Charles II. Jackson
Supervisor, was this day received.
On careful inspection OF said return, and on
comparing it with the United States census CT
this Parish fr the year 1870, and from various
other facts and data in my possession, l am con-
vinced that the enumeration by Mr.. Jackson is
incomplete, and it is particularly unfair and in
correct in the item OF numbers Of the white and
colored population.
According to the census Of the year 1870, the
total population of the parish was 1894, of which
5779 were white and 36l5 were colored persons;
whilst Mr.. JacksOn's return for the year 1875
gives total population of 1926, of which 1854
white and 3642 are colored. showing decrease
in five years in the total population of 2146 de-
crease OF 2l94 white persons, and an increase OF
~ colored persons.
This is MIR. Jackson's showing; but the truth
is, there has been no decrease OF whites, and
there is great falling off Of colored persons, a
great many of them having left the parish since
the year 1870, and their places have not been sup
piled by immigration or otherwise.
To-day examined Mr.. Jackson's return Form
No. q filed in the Office of the Clerk Of the Court
Of this parish in July, and find that 1t does not
correspond with the return made to your Office
Between the two returns (which should be
exactly allke) there is difference Of 721 in the
total population. In the return to the Clerk OF
the Court, he places the total whites at 1914 and
total blacks at 4003, making altogether 7947,
while as before stated the other return gives a
total of 1926. Both returns cannot be correct.
The truth is both are wrong neither OF them
represent the true number OF whites or blacks
and hereby protest against said returns, declare
them to be imperfect and falee, and respectfully
ask your advice and action in the adoption OF
such measures as will insure q fair enumeration
and correct return of the census OF this pari n.
I will without delay forward communication
to the Governor ON this subject, accompanied
with my formal protest, and will request him to
intervene In the matter and use his authority to
redress wrong which seems to have been in
teutionally perpetrated by the Supervisor OF
Registration.
Hoping to hear from you at your earliest con-
venience. am, very respectfully, your obedlent
servant BOLIVAR EDWARDS.
In answer, Col. Wright sent letter, of
which the following is a copy:
OFFICE STATE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS,
New Orleans, August TO- 1875.
Hon Bolivar Edwards, Member House of Represen-
tatives Parish Of Tangpahoa
Su'-The answer to your letter Of date August
9th has been delayed, in order to enable US to
make more thorough and careful examination
parish. A careful examination Of these shows
the following figures 4030 white, 1896 colored,
and % Chinese or Indians, and total of724S.
The census of 1870 shows 1924 white, 1894
coored, total of 1928, and total decrease OF
$50, which is said to lie correct by residents OF
the parish.
The report of the Supervisor, which is on file
in the Office of the Clerk OF Court, should cor
respond with the report in this office, which Is
correct according to form l. The only action
this Office Is authorized to take is to enter these
figures in our report, cal ing the attention of the
Legislature in foot note to the fact Of your
protest.
want, WIN WRIGHT.
State Registrar Of Voters.