Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-11-14
THE CENSUS AGAIN.
Mr.. Porter Replies to Some
More Criticism.
THE STRUCTURES OF MR.. FoULKEs

Was Ignored Den ied-vitai Statistics
and differences. Drawn Therefrom Dis
eredited-startiing incresss OF city
Populations and what L. Implies -
Comparison by Decades
WASHINGTON CITY. Nov N-Superin-
tendent Porter yesterday addressed a let
ter to William Dudley Foulke. president
OF the Civil Service Reform league. in re-
ply to a criticism of the latter on census
office methods. Superintendent Porter
says at the outset that Mr.. Foulke's Az
sumption to the effect that Porter sought
an opportunity to defend the census 10
Frank Leslie's illustrated newspaper Is
not true, because the article in question
WAS written ut the very earnest soliclta-
ton of the editor Of that paper. Mr..
Foulke's second assumption that Super
intendent Porter recommended to the
president that the census be taken by
enumerators appointed upon the recon-
mendation of Republican congressman
and other influential party men. Mr..
Porter says it is equally incorrect. and in
sists that the supervisors in accordance
with the law selected their own enumera-
tors.
Difficult to Obtain Mer.
In many parts Of the country it was
difficult to secure enumerators for less
than 81 a day, their employment to last
from fifteen to thirty days. and an at
tempt 10 subject this immense army to
civil service would have been a farce, il il
had not been impossible. Superintendent
hA ShA hal in La
curacy of an enumeration conducted by
Democratic administration in the same
manner and in the same spirit as the
eleventh census has been conducted, but
adds that list Of names secured by the
police of New York is one thing. and a
census of the United States taken under
the census law altogether smother. The
intent OF the police enumeration was to
find more than the federal enumeration,
and this he says, is sustained by many
facts that have reached him from reliable
sources.
Regarding Vital Statistics.
Superintendent Porter explains his
silence regarding differences to be drawn
from the vital statistics OF the metropolis
He says he thinks such differences of little
value in the face of the exact count of the
people, aud declares he has repeatedly
treated this phase of the question in pub
lie print. In support of the unreliability
OF vital statistics, he cites the fact re-
Gently brought out in a report made 10
the English house of commons by a COM
mittee to inquire into certain questions
connected with the taking Of the census
OF England, in which experts show wide
diversity of ascertained facts from the
population estimates based on vital Stats
tics. Some cities, according to tables in
this report, were shown to have a popula-
ton of p per cent. above the registrar
generals estimates. aud otAer districts
turned out TO have populations - per
cent less than the so-called estimate OF
the registrar general
The Merit system Applied.
Superintendent Porter asserts that he
has applied ss far rs possible the princi-
pie Of civil service To the appointment of
enumerators and employees of his bureau.
Every important place IN the bureau,
every expert in the Office, every man or
woman In charge of work, Superintend-
ent Porter says. has been appointed sole
ly on account OF ability 70 perform faith
full service in the last or tenth census
The merit system has been applied sue
cessfully and rs a result the census bu-
reAu has to-day one of the most efficient
clerical forces engaged in the public ssrv-
ice.
Increase OF Urban Population
Speaking of the census returns from
cities, Porter says that one OF the most
remarkable features of the census just
taken was the evidence Of the growth Of
urban population During the past de-
cade this gain has been no less than 90
per cent Speaking roundly,' said Mr..
Porter, lit may be said that in 1870 one
thirtieth of the population WAS found in
cities OF more than $500 population; in
$500. one-twenty- fifth; in 1910 and also in
lS2O, oue-twentieth; in 1880. one-sixeenth:
in l>lO. one-twelfth; in 1850, one-eighth;
in 1850. oue-sixth; in 1870, more than one
fifth; in 1sS0. half way between one-ffth
and one quarter, and in 1890 nearly three
tenthS
MIR. Porter's Conclusions
~The eleventh census will show that in
the state of Massachusetts, fully IS per
cent. OF the population reside in cities
This phenomenal growth in the populs-
ton of our centers OF industrial energy Is
indicative of the rise OF our great manu-
featuring industries during the last de-
cade and illustrates the fact that this
| country is now the foremost manufactur-
| ing well as the leading agricultural ma
ton of the world