New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-08-13
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.

| CENSUS RETURNS FROM THE SOUTH.
ALLEGATIONS OF FRAUD-CHINA REMOVING rRApn
REsTRIcTpss-IycREAsE IN POST oFrIcKs-s
| FREE SHIPMENT OF SILVER COIN.
Fears are expressed by Government on.
GERS and others that great frauds have
been committed for political ends in
the census returns in the south,
| Superintendent Walker does not. however,
| place much faith IN the estimates which
made. China has officially informed the
Government of the removal of foreign
trade restrictions upon her own subjects,
and of her intention to push her enter
prise TO America. There great
increase in tie number Of post
Offices last year. \ circular In
regard TO the free shipment of coin has been
issued. Controller Lawrence has decided that
the courts cannot interfere with the payment
of Government drafts.
CENSUS FRAUDS IN THE SOUTH.
GRAVE FEARS IMPRESSED by GovERNMFNr OFF,
CERS-AILyGED FALsIFicArIoN OF THE BEruESs
WHAT GENERAL WALKER SAYS.
lBY TELEGRAPH THE rRfBUNg.l
WASHINGTON. Aug. 12.-General Walker. Super.
intendent of the Census does not place confidence
in the accuracy of the estimates which are now
being published of the population Of the Southern
States. lie says that a surprisingly small propor-
tion even Of mighty educated people, know praeti-
caly how to work out correct results in percentages
There Is a natural disposition all hands exag-
gerate in matters of this kind. A few districts IN q
State are heard FROM and some Jealous editor COM
putes the increase Of the whole state from the
showing they make.
The Census Office does not accept for a moment
the of the supervisors There are ade in the
Census Office Lerc not less than fourteen different
revisions of the work of the ennmerators
and supervisors. THIS may be illustrated
by supposing that a page of the enumer-
ator's book contains fifty lines upon each ot
which is written the name, sex. color, nationality,
ETC., of person. In the revision the number Of
males is first counted. then the number of females.
Ifthe sum of the two equals the number of lines
the two counts held 10 De correct, otherwise the
page is further examined. and If any OF tie lines
found 10 be blank these noted 10 accOuns
for any deficiency. The same process ls pursued in
respect OF color nationality, etc. The revising
clerks are in permitted tO count the M ber
of males and infer that there females sufficient
to make up the total but the entire table must be
examined IN each case.
General Walker explained this process 10 Illus
trate how small was the dependence which 10 was
found bv experience cOnld be placed upon the work
Of unskilled people in this matter Of counting.
General al1er expresses opinion with regard to
tue probable proportOnate increase VI tile two Sec
tIOns.
Almost everyone else here Is beginning "a fear
that great frau have been committed, and this
fear has been strengthened by the result Of tho
Alabama election. showing the universal wiling
OF the Southern Democrats 10 cooperate in any
scheme, however violent or corrupt, 10 win back
for their party and section It's ancient political pre-
pOnderance. If, when the work or the census Is
finished. there proves 10 be good ground for tbeso
sus pciOns il will be easy TO test the matter by
sending the lists of names for suspected
localities 10 trustworthy persons for verilicaton.