The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1880-03-10
CENSUS CIRCULAR.
OFFICE OF SUPERVISOR OF CENSUS,
DISTRICT OF UTAH.

/ DISTRICT OF UTAH.
SALT LAKE CRY, UTAH,
March 8, 1880.
Sir - Having been sppointe
supervisor of census for Utah, 1 Woul
be pleased to have your assistance i
arranging the preliminary work, VIZ
1.-THE FORMATION OF ENUMERATION
DISTRICTS.
Nv first duty will be to propose +
the superintendent of census q plsI
for the subdivision of this district int
enumeration districts. By section /
of tie census act, enumeration de
tricts cannot embrace to exceed 4,OOI
inhabitants. In this territory, how
ever, that limit should be reached
only in highly exceptional ca7es. Ii
general, each town precinct, or otheI
permanent civil division OF the county
will be constituted al enumeration
district, if the Estimated population
hereof exceed zoo or 800 inhabitants
Where possible two or more towns Of
precincts will be constituted az
enumeration district. But care will
be taken TO make the districts small
enough to secure the completion OIL
the census within the limit get by law,
viz, thirty days, or during the month
OF June. The number of persons who
can be enumerated within that time
will vary greatly, according to the gee
graphical coalition OF the district and
the density or spsrseness of settle
ment. In rich agricultural regions
3,000 persons may safely be embraced
in a district. In more spGrcely set
tied regione, and where the difficulty
of travel is great. districts must in
clude a less number of inhabitants.
It may sometimes be necessary to
divide towns, townships and precincts.
to secure prompt enumeration. When
this is done tae division should be by
some clearly marked boundary, as a
stream OF county road. 1t IS not i'm
portsnt that districts thus formed be
equal, either in extent or population,
but it is important that the line OF
demsrcation be clear and unmistak-
able. Nor is il necessary that every
should be kept employed
during the whole period allowed by
law for taking the census. The limit
set IN the census act Is an outside
one to meet special cases. Where
two good euumerators can complete
The work in Two weeks, it will be
preferable to appoint that number
rather than have enc carrying on the
work for thirty days. The chief and
primary object OF the canvass Is to
obtain list of Inhabitants, with GER
tain particulars as to seq, age, color,
place of birth, occupation, physical
etc. The rates Of compen-
salion TO enumerat0rs will be ar
Dounced hereafter.
Il. APPOINTMENT OF ENUMERATORs.
The following considerations viii
govern in the ee!ection Of enume-
-atOTs:
The appointments will be nOn-paT-
isan, and enumerators Will be Sc
ected solely with reference to their
itnsss for the work 10 be done and
regard TO political or party
Affiliations. The Intention of the law IN
this respect will not, however, be car
ried cut by appointing indiscrimi-
uately from the political parties
which divide the country. The per-
sons selected should be fair and mod
crate in their political feelings, thus
giving assurance that they will not
neryert their trust 10 partisan pur
poses, or abuse their opportunities in
any way, and that statements made
to them by persons Of different politi-
cal affiliations will be received WITH
out prejudice and treated as respect
fully as if emansting from political
associates. The appointments will be
made with reference 10 physical
activity, aptness, neatness, accuracy
n writing, and in the use Of figures.
These requirements are not more IN
he interest Of the census than OF the
himself. Unless the Off.
GER appointed be proficient in clerical
exercises he will find his duties very
trying and his pay very mesgre. Old
and broken men will not be ap-
pointed, as it would not be an act OF
charity, but of cruelty.
The work requires active, energetic
men, OF good address, and readiness
with the pen, As a rule young men
will be preferred for the service,
hough l am aware of no reasons, eX-
sting in law, for regarding women as
Ineligible for appointment as enumer-
.tors. In many regions such ap-
continents would be- highly Ubiec-
ionable, but there are localities
where canvas could be made
By women without disadvantage
being encountered by reason OF
the sex of the enumerator. It must
be distinctly understood that persons
Who accept appointments AMI qualify
IS enumerators, cannot. without
cause" refuse or neglect to
perform the duties OF the Office. HaV-
accepted the position they will be ex.
oectsd to 60 forward with the work.
Failure to Go so will not be over.
ooked.
You will place me under obliga=
10, if, Immediately on receipt
hereof, you will map out. and for
ward TO me, a plan for the sub
division of your county irto enumer-
alton districts, keeping in view the
herein contained, es-
pecially as regards the making OF
permanent civil division into enumer-
alton districts,
Such other suggestions sc you may
deem proper to make, especially the
recommendation of suitable persons
for appointment as enumeTatOrs, will
receive respectful consideration.
Enumerators must be residents OF