The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-03-31

the name, relation to head of family, con-
dition, age, sex, occupation, and BIRTH
place Of every person in Great British,
and also the number Of deaf, dumb and
blind. Measures were taken to secure
accurately the names Of nightlaborerS,
persons out Of the country, travellers, sea.
men, soldiers, etc. These schedules were
all filed up in the night of March
S0-31, and were taken up at an
early hour on March 81, the collec-
tor filling up the parts that had
been left blank through their negligence
or inability. All unoccupied. houses
and buildings in course Of construction
were also noted. The floating population
persons who spent the nights in boats
and barges, in barns, sheds, etc., were re-
quired to be estimated as near as possible.
The enumerators were allowed one week
to make their returns in, all transcribed,
and the summaries and estimates COM
pleted according to detailed Instructions
The district registrars had to complete
their revision Of the returns OF their su-
bordinates in a fortnight, paying particu-
lar attention TO nine specially defined
points. These revised returns were again
revised by the superintendent Regis
trars," and then transmitted to the census
office. The census was the most successful,
in quickness and accuracy, accomplished
in any country up to that time, and the
same system has been pursued, with little
variation, ever since. The digestion Of
the census reports by the central authors
ties is conducted most thoroughly and
scientifically, and the compilations are Of
the greatest value to statisticians and
economists. The British system has
served as model for many other coun-
tries, where the census isnow taken in one
day by means Of printed schedules.
In the U. S. the agencies and methods
Of enumeration have been but little
changed until this year from the first cen
sus. By the act Of 100 it was made the
duty Of the marshals Of the United States
Courts in the several Judicial districts to
take the enumeration, appointing there
for as many assistants as they should
deem necessary. The enumeration was to
commence August l, and to close within
nine calendar months thereafter; the re-
turns were to be filed with the clerks Of
the several courts, while the marshals were
to forward to the President "the aggre-
gate amount Of each description Of persons
within their respective districts" In 1890
the supervision OF census was placed with
the Secretary Of Estate. The machinery Of
enumeration, however, remained until
1850 the same as in 1900. In 1910 the
agents Of the census were placed under
the direction Of the Secretary Of the Treas
ury as to the enumeration Of manufactures.
but in 1920 the entire charge reverted Ia
the Secretary Of State.
In 1850, the supervision OF the census
was committed to the newly created De
, partment Of the Interior, and the period
allowed for enumeration was restricted tc
five months. As matter OF fact, however
no enumeration has been completed with
in that time. The US. Marshals and theii
assistants remained the agents Of the cen
sus office, and Superintendent Of Census
| was appointed.
In preparation for the census OF 1870,
committee Of the House Of Representa-
tiyes, under the Craftsmanship Of Genera
Garfield, presented bill which sought tc
bring the census as nearly up to the de
mands OF modern statistical science as pos
sible. The report of the committee dwell
strongly on the essential defects o.
our protracted enumeration, and or
the general unftness Of the Mar
) shals Of the Courts to perform the
duty. The schedules Of inquiries were
largely increased, and the rank and power
Of the superintendent Of census were in
creased. Gen. Garfelds bill was carried
through the House Of Representatives by
; large majority, but it failed in the
Senate. The census Of 1870 was con-
sequenty taken under the act Of 1850,
with only two or three Uncomfortable
amendments. This year, for the first time,
we will have new order Of things, and
consequently a more complete and ex.
haustiye, reliable and prompt census than
any ever before taken.
In 1870 the work Of enumeration was
performed by 6,572 assistant marshals,
supervised by o. marshals of the United
States courts. The cost of each census
has been as follows:
sO.............,,,s ssS,51l
1900 GO 600 1850 02s