The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-05-28
DUTIES OF CENSUS ENUMERATORs.

tOrs ms just Deeu iosueus ny "OSoP''"S '"0,
enumerators bind themselves
to carry their work on to completion unless
by reasonable causes from doing
so. They cannot throw up the wors from
dissatisfaction or Incidence. Upon taking
the oath of Office the enumerators are fur
nished with an eighteen page pamphlet of
instructions and the printed forms and sched-
ules necessary to carry on the work. 1t is
the duty of the enumerators in the exercise
of their authority to use great courtesy and
consideration. On the other hand 1t is not
within the choice of any inhabitant whether
he shall or shall not communicate the infor-
nation required by the census law. Any
person more than twenty years of age who
shall wilfully fail or refuse to give the infor-
nation required of them by any enumerator
renders himself liable to fine not less than
500
Five regular schedules are created by law
for the enumeration of the several subjects
of inquiry, as follows; Population, agricul-
ture, manufactures, social statistics, mortality.
Regarding the schedule for social statistics,
General Walker has withdrawn it from the
enumerators and placed it in the hands of
special agents.
Under the h cad of population no child
born between the first day of June and the
day of the enumerator's visit, be 1t the 9th
18th or is to be entered upon the sched-
ule. On the other hand every person who
was resident of the district upon June |,
but between that day and the day of the
enumerator's visit shall have died, should be
entered on the sch eduls precisely as if still
living. The object of the schedule is to OBJ
tain list of the inhabitants on the 1st of
June, 1880, and all changes after that date,
whether in the nature of gain or loss, are to
be disregarded in the enumeration. The
wor d family, for the purposes of the census,
in cudes persons living alone equally with
families in the ordinary sense OF that term, and
also all larger aggregations of people only
having the tie of a common roof and table.
A hotel, with all its inmates, constitutes but
one family within the meaning of this term.
A hospital, prison, an asylum, the solitary
inmate of cabin is equally family for the
purposes of the census.
The inquiry profession Occupation"
or trade" is one of the most impo rtant
questions in the schedule. The occupation
of every man is to be given definitely, no
general terms being allowed. For instance
10 man is to be classed as a factory hand
or "mill operative" The better form of
expression suggested is "works in cotton
mill, "works in paper MILL" etc. When
clerks are returned they are to be described
as "clerk in store,'' railroad clerk"
"bank clerk" etc. Fire and life insurance
agents will be specified The use of the word
glover" "hatter," and furrier," will be
confined to those who actually manu-
facture or make up in their own estab-
ments all or a part of the gloves and hats
or furs which they sell. Those who only
sell these articles will be characterized as
glove dealer" that and cap dealer" "fur
ealer.".
"Judges" whether State or Federal,
whether probate, police or otherwise may be
assumed to be lawyers and that addition, there
fore, will not be given; but all other officials
will have their profession designated,if if they
have any, ,as paper manufacturer" Retired
merchant" "Governor of Pennsylvania, ("
Representative in Legislature, "etc. A man
bis not to be called shoemaker" or "boot.
maker" unless he makes the entire boot or
shoe in a small shop. If he works in boot
and shoe factory he is to be designated &C.
cordingly. The word "jeweler," will not
designate those who make watches, watch
chains or jewelry in large manufacturing
establishments, but those who are jewellers
to the ordinary understanding of the term.
No man is to be called a contractor, pro-
tessor, an overseer, an agent, a collector, a
treasurer, an artist, speculator or COM
missioner without more definite explana-
ton. When man has retired from busi-
ness the fact will be entered thus: 'Retired
lawyer" retired merchant" etc. Stone ma
sons are to be dstingui ished from brick ma
sons. No man is to be described as me.
chanic if it is possible to describe him more
accurately. Apprentices are to be enumerat-
ed thus; "Apprenticed to carpenter" zap
prenticed to painter, ""apprenticed to apoth
ecary." The distinguishing line will be
drawn between farmers and farm laborers
The term manufacturer will be reserved for
proprietors of establishments, thus: Got
ton manufacturer" "woolen manufacturer"
Persons who make lace, bonnets, chocolate,
etc., are not to be designated as manufactu-
rers, but entered as lace makers, bonnet
makers, ETC.
Under the head of agriculture no farm
will be reported of less than three acres un-
less $500 worth of produce has actually been
sold off it during the year. A farm in the
meaning of the census instructions, is what
is owned or leased by one man, cultivated
under his care. The amounts of the various
crops will be estimated according to the best
judgment of the proprietor where no exact
amount is kept. For the collection of statis-
tics regarding manufactures, General Walk
er has appointed special agents. Upon the
subject of iron and steel James NJ. Swank,
of Philadelphia has been appointed.
Each enumerator will be required to make
daily report to the supervisor of his dis
trict, and to the Superintendent of Census
at Washington. For this purpose
postal cards, with printed form on the
back will be furnished each enumerator, and
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