Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-08-16
Washington Star, Aug. Il.

Gen. Walker, superintendent of the census
was found ia his office this morning by the
Star reporter. The reporter inquired if he hao
any information which showed, or led to the
belief that the census in the South had been
fraudnlently conducted, The reply was in the
negative.
Star-Do you think the large increase in
population in the Scuth, as shown by the re-
turns, is bona tide?
Gen. WI don't know what the population
Ia. The tables of population which have bee n
published are not from returns 10 this office,
don't know where they are from, or how thew
are made up. We have no returns as vet that
would show the result of tho census. We deal
IN facts, not conjectures ana guesses. Tables
oan De made UP by anybody, and fraud for po-
htlcaI effect can be charged by anybody; but
the census Office dues not and can ,ot nav an,
attention 10 either the one or the other. We
nave to get facts, not to make up tables from
fragmentary data, or jump at conclusions be-
fore we know anything as I'LL definite or statis-
IDEAL
Star-HaVe you any reason to SUPPOSE that
Inc census has be n taken other than honestly?
Gen. W-None whateyer. l have no reason
to be dissatisfied with he work that has heen
done as far as Information received at this office
SHOWS. L would not charge an entire sec.
tion WAta Conspiracy against tie la Hs and con-
stttntlon without Knowing thai there had been
snch conspiracy. l. Ia possible that in the
3l,oV0 enun era'ion d stri,Is there has been a
man mere anc there WHO has acted dishonesty.
Inc remedy Is, however, in cur own hands.
Star-If you discover fraud then Won will
take steps to rectify il?
Gen. W.-Mosu certainly. Il We End that a
dishonest count has neen made In any district
or section We will have another census taken
by honest men. The epunaeratoys ,eho took part
IN !he FRAUD aciH be prosecuted. You knoty that
unaeT ssIch circumstances they ara liable TO i'm
Prasonnec''t IN the ps'etentary for two gears.
Ii, When the returns come IN aud are maze up
there Is the slightest suspicion OF fraud, we
@ill Investigate promptly and act according TO
the result of the investigation. Onr remedy is
iul fur the correction of any abuses and
wholly within our OWN hands.
Star-Do You know how tho tables showing
the alleged population of the Southern States
were made up2
Gen. WI do not. repeat that they did
not come from this Office. They could not,
because we have not returns upon which to
base tables of population. If the people who
are making these estimates knew the popula-
ton OF these States il is more han the census
ofnce Knows. SEQ Arkansas ia put down as
gaming fifty Per cont. in population. That
estimate may be based on @ showing that one
eightn or the counties have increased that per
cent, aud jumping at the conclusion that the
other seven-eishths have increased likewise.
Star-Have You any reason to be dissatisfied
with any OF tbs census officers?
Gen. WI am not passing Judgment on the
"nnis army employed In taking the census.
AS far as honesty and e tr1s count goes have
yet to discover any cause of complaint. If,
however, there is any sign or suspicion of
fraud prompt and energetic action will be
taken both to punish those concerned In it and
to rectify the false returns made.