The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-08-13
The Census SOuth.
WHAT SUPERINTENDENT WALKER HAS TO say
HE KNOWS NOTHING OF SUCH FRAUDS.

HE KNOWS NOTHING OF SUCH FRAUDS.
fwa,hington Star, yesterday evening.I
General Walker, superintendent OF the
census, was found in his Office this morning
by the Star reporter. The reporter To-
Quired il be had any Information which
showed or led to the belief that the census
In the South bad been franduleDtly con-
Quoted. The reply was In the negative.
star: "Do you think the large increase
ip population In the South, as shown by the
returns, Is bona tide 2"
General Walker: 81 do not know what
that population Is. The tables of popula-
tion which have been published are not
from returns 10 this Office. | don't know
where they are from, or bow they are made
up. We have no returns as yet that would
show the result OF the census. We deal In
facts, not coDjectures and guesses. Tables
can be made up by anybody. and fraud for
political effect can be charged by anybody ;
but the Census Office does not and cannot
pay any attention 10 either OF the one or
the other. We have to get facts. not TO
make up tables from fragmentary data, or
lump at conclusions before we know any.
thing at all definite or statistical"
Stsr: ''Have you any reason to suppose
tbst the census has been taken other than
honestly ?"
General Walker: "NOne whatever.
have no reason 10 be dissatisfied with the
work that has been done as far as informa-
ton received ut this Office shows. | would
not charge an entire section with cOnspi-
racy against the laws and Constitution with.
out knowing that there had been such a
cOnsp spiracy. IL is possible that in the 81, >
900 enumeration districts there has been 4
man here and there who has acted dishon-
estly. The remedy is, however, in our
own hands,"
Star: "If you discover fraud, then, you
will take steps to rectify it?"
General Walker: "Most certainly. II
we find that dishonest count has been
made in any district or section we will have
pnother census taken by honest men. The
enumerat0rs who took part in the fraud
will be prosecuted. You know that under
such circumstances they are liable to ini-
pIisonment in the penitentiary for two
years. II, 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 investiga-
tion. Our remedy is full for the correction
Of any abuses, and wholly within our own
hands,"
Star: "Do you know how the tables
published in-sone Radical papcrsl showing
the alleged population OF the southern
States were made upI"
General Walker: II do not. ! repeat
that they did not come from this office.
They could not, because we have not re-
turns upon which TO base tables OF popula-
ton. 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 so per cent. In population. That
estimate may be based on showing that
one eighth OF the counties have increased
that per cent, and jumping at the coDclu-
sion that the other seven eighths have IN
creased likewise"
Star: " Have you any reason TO be dis
satisfied with anv OF the census otficersl"
General Walker: al am not passing
Judgment on the whole army employed in
taking the census. AS far as honesty and q
true count goes have yet TO discover any
cause OF complaint. II, however, there is
any sign or suspicion Of fraud prompt and
energetic action will be taken both TO pun
sh those concerned in it and TO rectlfy the
false returns made"