The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-06-04
SUNDAY. JUNE 4. 1889.


We have received from the Superintendent
OF the Tenth Census n circular explaining the
delay in the publication of that work Tho
explanation Is half way between n pun and
an apology. The Superintendent docs not
Indicate whether the Tenth Census will be
finished in 1883, or In 1885, or not until it Is
time TO begin work on the Eleventh Census
In 1890; but he gives us reason to believe
that, when finally completed, the Tenth
Census will be n portcntous affair.
The purpose Of the census, as provided for
by the Constitution, is to afford n basis for
the apportonment Of representatives and
taxation. The Constitution does not make it
the duty Of the Federal Government to fur
nish statisticians and philosophers with ma
terial for studies in sociology.
We are told by the Superintendent that
tables and essays amounting in all to about
$500 pages have already been issued from
the printing Office, and yet the end is no.
where in sight. The report made as to the
relative progress in different branches of the
undertaking shows its bcwildcring complex
ity and Himalayan bulk. On the Oyster In
dustry, 251 pages; on the Seal Islands of
Alaska, 176 pages; on the Social Statistics Of
tho Cities of New Orleans and Austin, 90
paReS-IncSc are u lew vi IIe HdHy CilupJeTS
already completed We do not know exactly
on what principle an historical sketch of New
Orleans by a local story writer is included in
the census but II q proportionate space is
devoted to the social statistics" OF the rest
OF the Union, 1t will require something over
$4,000 pages for this chapter alone. We are
glad TO be informed by the Superintendent
that the Social Statistics Of Boston are now
ready for the printer
The chapters on Steam Pumps and Pump
ing Engines, 81 pages, on Fire Arms and
Ammunition, 81 pages, and on the South
Atlantic Watershed, 164 pages, have been
stereotyped. Among the chapters partly in
type are those on Meat Production in Texas,
California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington
and Idaho, and on Manufactures of Inter
changcable Mechanism. The chapter on the
Water Power of the Missouri River, and
still another chapter on the Water Power Of
a Portion of the Northwestern States, be-
sides certain other chapters on equally i'm
portant subjects, will be put into type as soon
as type can be obtained. The manuscript of
the chapters on the Whale Fisheries of the
United States, the Quarries of Ohio and
Kentucky, and on nine other subjects, are
ready for the printer How much manu-
script is still in course of preparation, no
human being outside of the Census Office is
able to conjecture.
1t will not do to say that all the facts
gathered for the Tenth Census have interest
and importance. All facts are interesting
and important. All congratulations from
facts accurately obtained are interesting to
somebody. 1t would be interesting to know
what prose author is the favorte Of the
greatest number of men and women over
thirty-fve years old m the United States OF
America; what writer OF verse aside from
G. WASHINGTON CHILDs, A. NJ, commands
the admiration of the greatest number of
blonde young women; what is the average
physical weight Of q Greenbacker and the
average physical weight Of an agnostic; how
many people east Of the Mississippi River
prefer mutton to beef; and what is the pro-
portion of the wicked to the good. All these
statistics would be interesting; but that is no
reason why we should spend the peoples
money in obtaining and printing them.
The present census, if it is ever completed,
will be a wonderful achievement 1t will
probably inspire the managers Of the next
census with enthusiastic ambition to go as
far beyond this one, in minuteness and COM
prehcnsiveness Of statistical information, as
this one goes beyond anything ever known
before. There is no end to the possibilities
In the way of collecting facts and figures and
grouping them in new combinations. Indeed,
the business will finally get to be so UNI
wieldy and preposterous as to compel re-
turn to the simple and legitimate objects
specified in the Constitution. May that happy
day arrive as speedily as possible!