The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1889-11-30
A BUREAU OF STATISTICS,

it's resources, its development and posi-
bilities, they are unfortunately very ig.
norant of the last three conditions for the
reason that there has been a long fell
want Of "Bureau Of Statistics," from
which such knowledge could be sup
piled.
The State has in recent years entered
upon development beyond precedent ia
her history and the greater the develop
ment the moro imperative the demand
for that positive and material information
as to what the State has done, is doing
end is capable Of doing
As a people, members Of and being
interested in the commonwealth, we are
not unlike partners in business, or tenants
in common OF great and rich inheri-
tancc and as such should know the value
of onr business the character of our trade,
or the extent and capability of our COM
mon legacy.
It will not do to have but limited
knowledge Of our particular branch, or
the particular locality upon which we
reside, such as our own county, but j.
we expect to extend our business, or de-
velop our inheritance. should have an in.
telligent understanding Of the whole or
the means by which such intorma tion can
be attai ed by reference to balance
Sheet showing what business has been
done. what is being done and to wha
extent it can be increased, as we'll as the
best methods by which the business can
be extended.
Such result can be arrived at only by
the means of bureau of statistics, where-
in the data Of every conceivable kind
can be collected, tabulatrd and made u
matter of reference and not only that,
but given publication at certain specified
periods for the benefit of the people OF
the State rs well as those outside whs
are curious to know what inducements
are offered for successful location among
us.
The effort to encourage immigration is
paiseworthy and deserves encouragement,
bur can rot be successfully forwarded un-
less supported by reliable and positive
stat sites of the material advantages to
be obtained by the immigrant when he
ONES to locate among us.
The merchants first duty is to know
his stock and display is 10 the best ad-
vantage, in ouher words to let the public
know what wares be has to sell. Without
such an exhibit another along side OF
him, with an inferior st ock, by means OF
display or advertiseme ent, will faroutstrip
the apathetic dealer on the road to
wealth and success.
Thus it 10 with States seeking devel-
opment OF their resources by means Of
the introduction of capital and thrifty
labor.
It is matter of fact that he most in-
telligent Mississippian going abroad cannot
lucldly answer the simplest question as
to the natural resources OF his own
county from any reliable or fixed data,
and whatever answer he may give to the
enquirer must be of a general and vague
character, altogether insufficient and un>
satisfactory.
A few might give the population of his
county and the relative ratio OF the rae s,
but none could positively give the ac-
quired information as to the number of
acress ofland, tillable or untill-ble, wood.
ed or cleared land, the amount of pro-
duction in any commodity, the number
Of cattle, sheep, hogs and horses, noue
could give the sanitary, school or religious
data, for the simple reason that there has
been no establishment data furnished.
What the State needs and the wants
of the people imperatively demand is the
establishment of a State bureau of sta
tistics-a bureau in which shall be gath
cred reliable data Of every production,
every enterprise, agricultural and me-
chanical, Of arts and science, OF public
improvements of railroads, factories, OF
land in cultivation or otherwise, of hay,
grain, cotton or vegetables, Of the char
acter Of soil, whether watered or not, of
the kinds OF timber, OF stock and its
value and increase, statistics OF schools,
educable children, of the sanitary condi-
tion, number offarms, towns and cities,
Of churches and religious denominations
and in fine data Of every conceivable
thing worth knowing or OF interest to
the people within or those outside of the
State,
Such bureau would be of inestimable
advantage to the State at large and to
communities, furnishing as 1t would all
the information valuable In assuring
State and county development and Offer
ing positive inducements to outsiders to
come and dwell within our borders.
Such a bureau properly conducted
would serve to educate the people and
encourage development; nay it would
surprise the people in disclosingto them
the tremendous resources at hand and
stimulate them to renewed effort in util
izing them.
It should be a bureau su; generis not
attached to any other State department
other than an lmmigr alton.
It is true this would neccessitate a
considerable outlay, but the returns
would go far overbalance such an ex-
penditure that the State could easily and
proftably bear the expense.
We can only touch upon the subject
in such an article but when the matter
ID taken under serious consideration II
grows to tremendous proportions and In
importance,
Should our next Legislature take the
matter under serious consideration and
execution they will render the State one
Of the most unquestionable and far reach.
Inn hanefits that their legislation can