The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-02
What to do To-day.

In reply to numerous lnqurers, THE sun
repeats It's advice respecting the proper way
10 meet tho census cnumcratOr wlGn he
arrives to-day.
BE pleasant and polite to him, and give
him all the assistance you can, 80 far as the
questions come within the legitimate scope
of Government inquiry. Answer Questions
to 81, inclusive, promptly, plainly, con-
clsely and satisfactorily.
Do not answer the nine last questions on
The list at ALL either negatively or alirma-
lively. Here they are:
ia. Whether suffering from acute or chronic dis.
easo, with namo Of disease and length OF time afflicted
IA whether defective in mind. sight hearing, or
Rpeech. or whether crippled, MANNED or deformed,
with name Of defect
"2k whether prisoner, convict, homeless child or
pauper
"25. Supplemental schedule aud page
"2e 1s the homo you live in hired Ia 1t owned by
She head or by q ember OF the family
"27 IL owned by head member OF family, 10 tho
bone treo from mortgage encumbranoet
''2s II the head OF tho family is farmer, is tho
farm which he cuuvates hired, or 10 it owned by him
bf by member Of his family
"79. II owned by head member Of family, Is the
Farm FREQ from mortgage encumbrance,
80. II tho homo or farm 10 owned by head or nom
Der Of family, or mortgaRed give the Post once ad
dress OF owner"
The mention OF the supplemental schedule
In Question Is refers to a special form Of
blank on which the enumerator would pro-
coed to record the details Of the sickness, in
sanity or physical defects disclosed in the
replies to the preceding questions, should
they be answered
The chances are as hundred to one that
there will be nothing dlsagreeable in your
interview with the census enumerator. He
has right to visit you, and 1t Is his duty to
ask the questions committed to him. You
will probably find him a very gentemanly
person. 1t is your duty, and 1t should be |
your pleasure rs a good citizen, to assist |
him In his work up to the point which we |
have indicated. When that point is reached,
1t is your right to be silent.
Let the enumerator mark Refused to an
ewer" opposite all OF the questions which we
havequoted above. Your refusal, along with
millions Of others. will go to Washington,
and will enable Mr.. PoRTERs experts. if
they are 30 disposed, TO reckon the number
OF self-respecting American citizens who
appreciate their constitutional right to keep
their private affairs to themselves.
There will be no attempt to prosecute any
citizen for refusing to answer the last nine
questions on the schedule. The Department
OF Justice will not undertake any such job
II 1t should make test case on some one Of
the millions of refusals. it would only bring
upon the present Administration humilia-
ton and discontinue.
Above all things do not try to make fun Of
the enumerator, or to argue with him, or to
convince him that some OF the questions he $
is instructed to ask are outrageous. He Is i
not to blame. His only business is to obey
orders. We need not add that there will be no a
prevarication or equivocation on J
the part OF any citizen worthy Of the rights G
Of citizenship.
II any enumerator should appear more u
1ollcitous than the occasion requires about h
answers to the offensive questions,
Or should dwell too strongly upon the posi- 4
oility of a prosecution in your case for re- a
using to answer. remember that he is per- a
'istent only because it would be worth a few d
,ents to him TO know that you had suffered a
or thirteen years from general paresls, n
ew cents to know that your sister had Il
'lub foot and few cents to know that
,our eighth child was a feeble-minded boy. 0
n the vast majority OF cases there will be no +
Ittempt at intimidation or indirect deception u
~ the enumerator. Should he try to bull II
loze or brighten you, or in any way overstep al
he bounds Of propriety, take his name and II
end it to The SUN. u