Wichita eagle., 1889-03-22
THE CENSUS OFs18oO.
Prof. White in the Industrialist.

Yankee curiosity is powerful Foreign
humorists are fond of making fun OF our
inquisitiveness, and have much to say
about the pumping process through
which an American is sure to put a
stranger, no matter when or where he
meets him. Is this national character
istic wholly to be condemned? Idle
curiosity prompts a good deal of ques-
tioning, it must be confessed, but after
all, this is better than the selfish egotism
which makes one Indifferent to the
opinions and history Of others. If our
critics wished to fortify their charge that
American people are an inqulsitive peo-
pie they might point to our last census
repOrt-probably the most costly and
exhaustive work of it's kind ever pub
Hshed veritable mine of information,
whose value cannot easily be estimated.
The next census will not be inferior to
its predecessor. We CLEAN from an in
terview with Congressman Cox pub
lished in the Chicago Tribune some facts
about the eleventh census which may be
of interest. On June /, 1890, forty-f
thousand enumerators will commence
their work of questioning the people of
the United States concerning their age
nationality, occupation, ETC., etc. The
government, as it grows older, naturally
becomes more and more inquisitive, de-
mands to be enlightened upon new
points and watches with greater care
and interest the doings of its citizens.
Sometimes this has been resented, as in
1910. a leading journal asks, is this
federal prying into the domestic econo-
my Of the people a precursor to direct
taxes? Is nothing to escape its inquisi-
tors or tax-gatherers? Is it worthy Of the
dignity and high functions of the Fedor-
al government to pursue such petty in
vestigations:
Usually, however, the value of the re-
suits obtained by the census are realized,
and Tie interviewer, if not cordially re-
ceived, is at least courteously treated.
Perhaps. too every one feels some pride
in helping to swell the grand total. A
census is a thoroughly democratic in
stitution: no matter how prominent or
man is, he counts for
neither more nor less than one. Be
sides, we have the satisfaction of know
ing that not until the people got an in
terest in the government did the govern
ment commence to take an interest in
the people.
The census of 1890 will have three new
and excellent features. An attempt will
be made to show the recorded indebted
ness of corporations and individuals.
This subject has of late received consid-
cradle attention in the west, particularly
in Michigan and Kansas. 1t is said that
pursued by Michig ans
labor commission showed that one-tifth
of ali the farmers in that state were mort
gagged paying an average interest of more
than seven per cent. Widely differing
estimates of the recorded Indebtedness of
Kansas were made during the last cam
running over three hundred
others much less. 4 recent ar
ticle IN Kansas City paper placing it
at two hundred millions, has had an ex-
tenSive circulation, These statements
influence investors, and it is
therefore advisable that accurate infor- |
nation should take the place Of mere
guesses. One Of the difficulties to be !
overcome in obtaining the exact amount !
les in the fact that mortgages stand re- |
corded for the full sum until the last |
payment is made. Some means will I
nave to be devised for obtaining the /
amount of the payments.
Another new feature will be the tax |
ng the names, organization and length /
If service of surviving soldiers, sailors ,
md marines and the widows of the same. /
We remember that our pension list
S continually increasing, and that /
of fraud are heard on all .
,ides, and that the dependent pension
1ill almost became a law, and probably (
will soon be introduced again, the i'm
of the inquiry will be at once
perceived.
The negro race is TO be more carefully
Classified than ever before. Not only
blacks and mulattoes, but also quadroons
md octaroons will be separately SEIZED
lied.
Some special lines of inquiry, such as
crest trees, water power. prices OF COM
wages: social statistics OF cities,
which appeared in the last census are not
for in the next. These were
-aluable features but in the case OF the
irst two, there would be no object In
epeating them, and the others properly
,elong TO the departments of labor
which many states have established.
The cost of the United States census
las steadily increased from about $4i,-
100 in 1890 to 81. 900, 900 in 1890. A little
,ook of fifty-tws pages was issued a
hundred wears ago: the next census will
euuire at least nine large volumes. In
go the population was 3,s29,2l4: the
sriulate for 1890 is 64,0oo. 0ro.-Prof.
White.