Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-08-12
The Alleged Frauds in the Southern
Census Count.
"hAf fStfthiNfENDENT WALKER HAS To SAY-HE
KNOWS NOTHING OF SUCH FRAUDS.

WHAT SUPERINTENDENT WALKER HAS TO sAY-HE
KNOWS NOTHING OF SUCH FRAUDS.
Gen. Walker, super intendent of the census
was found In his Office this morning by THE
STAR reporter. The reporter inquired If he had
any Information which showed, or led to the
belief that the census In the south had been
fraudulently conducted. The reply was In the
negative.
star =" Do you think the large increase in
Population In the south, as shown BY the re.
turns, is bona fde ?"
Gen. W:-"I don't know what tnat popula-
ZION is. The tables OF population which have
been published are not from returns to this
office / don't know where they are from, or
how they are made up. We have no returns as
yet that would show the result Of the census
We deal in facts not conjectures and guesses
Iapes can be made up by any body, and fraud
for political effect can be charged by anybody;
cGt the census Office does not and cannot pay
any attent on t either the one or the other. We
have to get facts, not TO make up tables from
1ragmentary data, or Jump at conclusions be-
fore we know anything at all definite or statis
ticaL"
Sor:-"Have you any reason to suppose
that the census has been taken other than
hOneStly?"
Gen. W.:-''None whatever. l have no rea-
son TO be dissatisfied with the work that has
been done as far as information received at this
office shows. l would not charge an entire sec
don with conspiracy against the laws and con-
stitution without knowing that there had been
such conspiracy. II is possible that In the
3l,Ctu enumeration ulSlT1cCS Jnere mas Deen
man here and there who has acted dishonesty.
The remedy Is. however In our own hands,
NGr:-"lf you discover fraud then you will
take steps to rectify it?'
GcE,. W." Most certainly. II we find that
dishonest count has been made 10 any district
or section. we will have another census taken
by honest men, The enumeratorS who took
part In the fraud will be prosecuted. You know
that under such circumstances they are liable
10 imprisonment in the penitentary for two
years IT, when the returns come In and are
made up. there is the slightest suspicion OF
fraud, we will Investigate promptly and act
according to the result Of the investigation.
Our remedy Is full for the correction of any
abuses, and wholly within our own hands"
SGT:-'Do you know how the tables showing
the alleged population or the southern states
were made up?"
Gen. w do not. Irepeat that they did
not come from this office. They could not be-
tables or population. Ii the people who are
making these estimates knew the population of
these states it is more than the census office
KNOWS. | see Arkansas is put down as gaining
hfty per cent In population. That estimate may
De based on showing that 4, th of the CO mites
have increased that per cent, and juEpingsat
the conclusion that the other zs'S have fncreas-
cd likewise
SGr:-" Have you any reason to be dissatis-
fed with any OF the census of1icers?"
Gn. WI am not passing judgment on
the Whole army employed In taking the census.
As far as honesty and true 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
10 punish those concerned in it and to rectify
the false returns made