The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1880-03-17
Instructions to Supervisors of the Cen
SuS.

a letter OF instructions to the super
visors Of Census, dated Washington,
February 10Th inst, regarding the for
nation Of enumeration districts, has
been issued from the Census Office. 1t
calls the attention Of Supervisors to the
fact that their first duty will be to pro
pose plan for the subdivision of their
respective districts into enumeration
districts, under the fifth section of the
act Of March 3, 1879. The following is
a summary of the points suggested for
the guidance of Supervisors in perform
ing their duties.
First-In no case will part of one cOun-
ty be Joined III an enumeration district with
another county or or any part thereof.
Second-in general, every town, town
ship, militia district or other permanent
civil division of the county should be con-
stituted an enumeration district if the esti-
mated population thereof exceeds 700 or 500
inhabitants.
Third-The enumeration districts must
be made small enough TO secure the compile
tiou of the canvass within the limit set by
the Census law-during the month of June.
Fourth-In cities having over 10000 in
habtants by the census Of 1870, the law re-
quires that the enumeration shall be com
pleted within two weeks. An active, intel
ligent enumerator can easily take from 200
to 300 names per day in a city, at least after
the first day or two. The enumeration dis
tricts may, therefore, be safely made to en-
brace an estimated population of from 1000
to $500 They should seldom be allowed to
exceed the higher number.
Supervisors are warned to rid them
selves Of the notion that it is important
that every enumerator should be kept
employed during the whole of the pc
Rod allowed by law for the enumeration,
and are informed that where two equal
ly good enumerators can be appointed
who will complete the canvass in two
weeks, it is better than to have one emu
merator carrying on the work for a
month. The rates of compensation to
enumerators will be announced as soon
as practicable.
In commenting upon the appointment
of enumerators, the following considera-
tons are mentioned as those which
should be observed in the choice thereof:
The appointments must be non-partisan.
The Supervisors oath covers this equal
ly with the more positive requirements
of the Census act. Every Supervisor
must swear that he will make his selec-
ton of enumerators without reference to
political or party affiliations. The men
selected, to whatever party attached,
should be men 50 fair and moderate in
their political feelings as TO give an as
surance not only that they will not per-
vert their trust to partisan purposes, or
in any way abuse the opportunities of
their position, but also that statements
and representations made to them by
persons OF different political affiliations
the matters with which emu
merators are charged will be received |
without prejudice and considered as re-
spectfuliy as if emanting from political
associates. The appointments should
be made with reference TO physical ac-
tivity and toaptness, neatness, and accu-
,acy in writing and in the use of figures.
In general, young men are to be pre-
erred FOX the service. Women are eli
yible as enumerators.
The foregoing is the substance of what
8 contained in the instructions.