The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-03
THE CENSUS ENUMERATOR
He Begins the Business of Asking
Many Questions Of Many
People.
The Pay Not Likely to Make Any
of Them Rich This Sea-
son.
Two and Half Cents q Name-The List as
Propounded to the General
Public.

The census enumerator is now abroad In
the land. He goes from door to door ask
ing a list of questions as long as the moral
law. Thus far no reports have been re-
ceived of bodily injury or Insult, but there
is no telling what may happen. They are
careful to start out in the most civil and
courteous manner, but by the time they
have asked about thirty questions 1OO,OO
times they will probably get little ofilsh.
1t is not the most congenial occupation IN
the world, this business of taking the CEN
sus and the pay depends upon the raPldity
with which the questions are asked and
answered. If he stops to talk about the
news of the day, or to answer questions Of
the female members of the different faml-
lies, he will not be able to make his salt.
Each name is worth two and half cents to
the enumerator, and if he can find soldier
to put on his list the amount is doubled
real live, alert and active man ought to
be able to make good wages at the prices
paid, but he will have no time to camp on
the trail.
The ice was fairly broken yesterday by
the census gang, and to-day they will un-
derstand the matter better. It was stated
at the outset of this article that nobody
had been injured. This was mistake. A
dispatch received from New York at late
hour says one unfortunate enumerator who
| had the temerity to enter a tough saloon
met with such a reception as he will never
forget if he happens to survive. he was
summarilv elected and came near being
killed with shower of beer glasses. 1t IS
hoped, however, that no such reception
will be met with by our Montana question:
ers. We give below list of the questions
that are asked
Christian name in full, and initial of
middle name.
| Surname. ....
Whether soldier. sailor. or marine dur
ing the civil war Omitted States or Confed-
erate), or widow of such person.
Relationship to head of family.
Whether white, black, mulattO, quadroon,
octoroon, Chinese, Japanese, or Indian.
Sex.
Age at the nearest birthday. If under
one year, give age in months.
Whether single, married, widowed or oil
vorced.
Whether married during the census year
(June l, 1889, to May 81, 1890.
Mother of how many children, and num-
Der of these children living.
Place of birth.
Place of birth of father.
Place of birth of mother.
Number of years in the United States.
Whether naturalized.
Whether naturalization papers have beer
taken out.
Profession, trade or occupation.
Months unemployed during the census
year (June l, 1889 to May 81, $780,
I. Attendance at school Gin months) durins
the census year Dune l, 1889 to May 81
1880.
Able to read.
Able to write.
Able to speak English. If not, the Ian
guage or dialect spoken.
Whether suffering from acute or chronic
disease, with name of disease and length 0
time afflicted.
Whether defective in mind, sight, hear
ING or speech. or whether crippled, maimet
or deformed, with name of defect.
Whether prisoner, convict, homeless
child or pauper.