Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-11
Our Interest IN the Census.

The field work Of the census-takers VIII
soon begin. II is the duty Of oil good ana
patriotic citizens TO facilitate their la5ors
by prompt, polite. and precise answers 10
tho prescribed intcrrogatorles. tor theH
mart the euumerators should exercise IN
tellipence. patience. and scrupulous accu-
yacv. The exact truth. as far as 1t is pro-
cnrable Is what the law contemplates and
The country demands.
There has been a suggestion that the
yenceful spirit Of Chairman QUAY Is to be
gratifed by Republican appontees III the
South wilfully overlooking the presence
of thousands and tens of thousands OF our
negro population. 1t il possible that he
NAV expect these fraudulent returns TO be
made; but il is incredible that any con-
siderable number of enumerators can be
found to do this perjuring work. Besides
the Democrats have some say in the GEN.
sus. They are not without representation
in the official corps called into life for the
purpose Of truthfully ascertaining the pro
press Of the United States during the de-
cado Just passed.
For many reasons the QUAY idea seems
phenomenally absurd. but whenever there
Is any fear of false counting the
suspects should be watched. The law
prescribes penalties that can be readily
enforced. Besides tho negroes themselves
can be made our allies in behalf OF cor
rect enumeration if they are informed that
any attempt 10 omit them from the tables
of population will probably work them III
jury in the apportionment Of pubhc-school
funds. And why should a mans name go
unchallenged on the Observation-Disclosures and
election-lists when it appears that the
sworn census-taker could not find him at
his alleged place of resdenceY
In this vicinity we are promised honest
and intelligent enumerators, and withsuch
men Richmond and Manchester and their
suburbs will come TO the front in most
gratifying way.
In anticipation Of this census cities all
over the country have been, by legislative
acts, broadening their territory and alb
sorbing adjacent towns. villages, bamlets,
and farm-houses. Chicago led in this
questionable enterprise. Great as she is,
she desires to appear greater. Other cities
dozens of them, indeed-bave followed her
example.
Had Richmond desired and been permit
ted to pursue this course she would have
annexed Manchester and the suburbs OF
the two cities for half mile ont, and thus
would have shown population ranging
from 100. 600 TO 10000 She has not thought
il necessary to resort TO any such means
of magnifying her importance, though 1t
has been more than twenty years since our
corporation limits were extended, and
though Just beyond our borders consldera-
ble settlements have grown up, which are
now enjoying many municipal benefits,
and vet escape all city taxation.
With equal propriety Richmond and
Manchester might be unified, since they
are in reality one city, separated indeed by
tho James river, but joined by five or six
bridges; divided into two governments.
but one in nearly every business and social
interest.
Richmond will GO into the census with
the same territory she possessed in 1870
and 1880, but Will, notwithstanding, ex-
hibit vast increase in population.
The Dispatch has estimated the popula-
ton of this city alone at $1,000 against
64.670 in 1880. and there is every reason to
believe the official figures will sustain our
calculation. Our voting strength, our
school census, and our poll-tax assessments
fully Justify this claim, and indeed more.
Whateyer Of help is needed by the census
officials TO get all the information they re-
ouire-and the list Of interrogations is
long and varied one-the City Council, the
Chamber of Commerce, and our good folks
generally will be only too glad to afford, to
the end that Richmond be accorded her
due and well-earned rank in thel list of great
cities Of the country.