The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-12-18
HOW THE COMING CENSUS WILL
II RE TAKEN.
BE TAKEN

several references Of lnqulrers TO me for
uNlion respecting The approaching census
nnvolved me in a correspondence which has
too burdensome to be endured, espe-
aany Of the writers fail to inclose even
u reply.
T. pG-defense, and in answer TO a large and
ilg interest in the subject permit me to say,
v tor all and for all: rave no official con.
IN with the tenth census, and do not expect
We. In 1870, as Chief Deputy Of General
.JHenloopeI, then United States Marshal for
this district, gained some insight into the work.
iDgs Of the ninth census, as taken by him. saw
the disappointment Of many Assistant Marshals
Xas the Enumerators were then called) at the
'neagerness of their compensations compared
p the extravagant anticipatiOns they had In
,sed in.
BY the law of March 8, 1879 Marrhas are re
red Of this duty. 1t is developed upon about
one hundred and fifty Supervisors who will be
nominated to the Senate by the President not
later than March 4, 1SSO-probaby by Jan l. 1880.
Ohio will have eight Supervisors.
Supervisors are to divide their districts into
Areas containing not more than four thousand
Inhabitants each, according to the census of 1870
'Rpd to sppoint one "EnumeratOr" resident in
lch.
4nlh Muull give GhCu DuptTFlhOI the hppOlut'
tnent Ufsbout one hundred Euumerators whose
compensation would average about s12O; but the
department desires that the number of inhabi.
tants should ordinarily, except cities and large
towns, fall considerably below four thousand,
which will cause more Enumerators at q cores
pOndiug reduction Ofesrnings.
believe that Ohio EuumerAtOTs will not as a
rule, be able to earn more than 500, from which
they must pay expenses, which will vary with
localities. o.
have no idea who any Ohio Supervisor will
be, and advise sspirants 10 the position of Euu.
merator 10 quietly gather their testimonials, &c
and have them ready for presentation as soon as
the cOhfrmattOns are publicly announced.
One difficulty with MaRhals in appointing AS.
sistant MaTshals was, their districts are so large
they could not have personal knowledge of many
applicants and many OF those who applied, and
their backeTs," did not appreciate the qualifica.
tons necessary. Political considerations in.
duoed Influential men to recommend" persons
for places calling for high intelligence and con-
siderable culture, to whom they themselves
would not have intrusted keeping the books Of a
country store.
Now the element of "politics" Is practically
eliminated. Not only does section of the law
expressly provide that EuumeratOrS shall be Sc
lecled solely with reference to their fitness, and
without reference to their political or party afi
iationt; but 1t is unlikely that jealous partissns
Will be Nominated by Republican President
and be confirmed By Democratic Senate.
Besides, Supervisors districts are enly about
one quarter as large a. those Of Marshals were
aud this affords better opportunity for personal
knowledge and exhaustive inquiry concerning
the fitness OF EuumeratOrs.
at would not merely be a wrong to the Gov.
eTnmeDt but II would be q positive cruelty 10
the appOintee himself for Supervisor to confer
commission az Enumeration upon any person
not Of decided clerical aptitude and of active
habits, writinB freely and good at figures. An
EnumeTatOr without these qualifications would
perform his work unsatisfactory not to the
Government only, but to himself also. He
would earn 50 a day with difficulty, while an.
Other.was easily earning 81 and the results Of
the more rapid worker would be less likely 10
contain errors"
Township Assessors and other local officers,
Postmasters at small Offices, country physicians
aud schoolmasters, are especially desired as Emu.
meratOIB.
The tenth census Is to be taken as Of and for
the date June |, 1880"
About that time Euumerators win begin their
study and preparations, and distribute schedules
TO be filed up by houpeholdeTs and others.
As the law not0 staLdI active heldwork must
commence on the hIst Monday-which Ia the
7th-of June, 1880. Enumerators In rural bub d.
visions must complete their work and forward
their returns 70 their Supervisors before July 1,
1S8O-which allows them about three weeks In
cities having over ten thousand inhabitants un.
der the census Of 1870, they must finish within
two weeks
Now, Mr.. Editor, II your Ohio exchanges will
print the substance Of this communication they
will obllge considerable number Of their pat
rons. Very Respectfully, HENRY COLE,
United States MarShsls ONCE.