The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-27
THE INSULTING CENSUS QUESTIONS.
Little Prospect OF Any Action by Congress
Toward Recalling Theu,

WAsH1SaToN May 2G.-There will probably
not be an investigation by Congress OF the
prorriety or legality OF the questions sent out
by the inquisitorial Census Bureau. The res
olution OF Mr.. McAdoo calling for tho investi-
CATION will probably be pigeon-holed In the
House Committee on the Eleventh Census. 1t
is not improbable, however, that the action OF
the bureau in instructing enumerators TO pro-
pound insulting questions may be severely
criticised on tho floor OF tile House. The
Chairman of the Census Committee, Mr.. Dun
nell of Minnesota, has been enlightened
to such an extent during the last day
or two by Superintendent OF the Census
Porter that lie Is now an earnest advocate Of
the Superintendents offensive circular. On
Friday last. when Mr.. NIcAdoo's resolution was
introduced, Mr.. Dunnell was rather inclined TO
think that the matter should lie inquired into
lie has been thoroughly converted, however
Ivy Superintendent Porter and now SAYS frank
ly that there is no reason why the questions
should not be asked and citizens compelled 10
Mr.. McAdoo has been very busy among the
members OF the House and has stirred up
number OF the leaders. who would be glad to
see something done toward recalling the circu-
and Diseases. Mir. Holman who is mem Ter
that he will assist in the movement TO have the
circulars withdrawn, and others members of
'hS eer taxi WIFI chairman
Dunnell this morning. and argued thut there
was no point whatever in the reasons set forth
Gn1es i should be asked The reasons V gwen
by MIR. Porter to the committee on saturday
First these same questions have been asked
in previous ce ii Sc second they are in the
third, it is now too late to recall them.
Chairman Dunnell now thinks these are
good and sueient reasons and listeRSd
meFRdOo Who thinks That bocsnse the EuTd:
peans collect statistics OF his kind it is no rea-
that questions such as are included in the in
quirtes of this year were never before asked by
to the point that there is not time. in which 10
recall the offensive questions. Mr. McAdoo says
anS other mebers out OF tho
committee that it would only be necessary for
Superintendent Porter to telegraph to tho yari-
The Republican members OF the Census
bee ssS 40 arc sas
WINGED that Mr. Porter is absolutely right in all
Census bureau that they Will not act in n any any
matter against his advice The bureau is a
RepHbliean institution, and, as q majority of
there is no reason to expect that any inyesti-
gad9n VII be made madsrI by them sr MeAd90
other lead lnG men on the Democratic side, are
anxious that something should he done at
the matter up in the House ana show the
strength Of tho oppositiou. even If no prac-
The extracts which THE sun printed this
morBing- s%Nzs, various strong papers in the
East and Vest have awakened the Congress-
men to a sense of the feeling throughout the
country on the subject of the impudent and
unnecessary questions which the Census office
proposes to ask the citizens. and should the
Democrats succeed In getting the matter up in
omen session. surprising y large number Of
members would be found voting with them.
The. probabilities, are however that the Re-
publicans will choke oil any attempt to throw
discrodit upon the Census Bureau.