Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-11-28
PORTER's CENSUS.
Eminent Southern Statesmen who object
to His Count.


WASHINGTON, November Ex-senator
James h. Jones, of Arkansas, has just
arrived in the city and is in no friendly
mood against the late alleged federal
census. He said tonight: There is
such a pronounced feeling among the
people all over the country that the
federal census has been enormously
taken, and purpOSely erroneous for
political reasons, that the burden of
proof lies upon the Census Bureau to
diSprove IL and diSSipate that feeling.
There Is belief among the people OF
Arkansas 70 the effect that the total of
the federal enumeration of that state,
as announced by the Census Bureau, is
az least two hundred thousand less than
the actual population. The census is
spoken OF with deriSion and contempt.
Not man has kind word for it.
The majority of the enumeratorS
engaged in taking the census were in-
competent, inefficient and untitled for
their work. There were exceptions, of
course. but think this statement will
apply 10 the greater number of the
enumeratOrS. Notwithstanding the
fact that the law provides that the
enumeratorS should DC appointed with
out regard To politics, il has been the
rule in Arkansas that the Republicans
were appointed right along. Now and
then a Democrat secured a place, but il
was seldom the case. Senator Berry
and myself were refused the privilege
Of putting in a single supervisor, and
Republicans were appointed by Super
intendent Porter. will say, in justice
to Superintendent Porter, that he eX-
pressed an earnest Solicitude TO have
correct census, but of course he could
not select the enumeratorS TO take it.
As far rs l am concerned | would IA
vor an entire recount Of the country.
think there will have TO be 4 very con-
siderable investigation made Of this cen
SuS before the Democrats will consent 10
the passage OF reappOrtiOnment bill
upon this basis OF computation.
What do you think of New York
city'S claim for a recount?'' l asked.
Il think the evidence of gross error
in the taking of the census of New York
city is conclusive. and il the matter
comes before Congress 1 shall certainly
vote 20 give the city recount"
Senator Vance, OF North Carolina, ar
rived in the city to-day. lie, too, has
an opinion about Superintendent POr-
ter'S census, and expressed that opinion
vigorously as follows: 1T looks very
much 10 me Is If the whole census was
a conspiracy much i'm the same line
with the Force bill and the proposition
% rediStrict the United States. In my
own State the belief prevails that We
have been cut short at least 100000. II
IS easier 70 obtain an approximate idea
Of the population. based upon the nat
urai increase In North Carolina, than IN
other States, for the reason that our
population is not affected by immigra-
tion. The only movement in the popu-
lati0n has been a slight negro exodus,
which is offset by the coming in Of
Northern people 70 the industrial sec
tionS There seems 10 be general dis
satisfaction with the census through
out the country. No ApportiOnment
Ibir based upon the figures Of this enum-
Grafton will be satisfactory 10 the Dem
ocratS, especially If the bill were pre-
pared by the present Republican Con-
greSs.
~ UAAA lWA AA IVA - NNtt - Us tN.tt~-- SO
vestigation Of the cenSuS?' / asked.
"Investigation9 Well, who would do
the investigating? You could not ex-
pect any good 70 come out Of an inquiry
made by Speaker Reeds House, could
YOU? IL would be simply waste of
time and effort for all the good that it
/ would do.
There Is great deal of disSatiStac-
tion in my country, continued Senator
Vance, "over the fact that there are now
three States of the UniOn-Neyada
\ Idaho and Wyoming whose aggregate
- population is less than some Congress
e Si0nal districts I'm North Carolina. Tn,
aggregate population Of those States i
" 1sg.I4J. while there are three district:
in my state having a population of over
200, 900. Yet the people of those States
have a larger representation in Con
gre>>-six Senators 10 our two.