Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-09-19
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. 10, 1890.
Tho limo for the Census.


Is eminent for conservatism and thorough
ness. has been giving much attention to
the census and concludes that one reason
for the unsatisfactory results OF the enume-
ration Of the population in the cities is
that the work was done at the wrong time
Of the year.
II points out that on the ist Of June
large numbers Of people had left for their
summer homes. and asserts that there was
no. a street in New York or Brooklyn
where dwellings were not closed when the
count was made, and in many instances
the absent occupants were unknown to
their neichbors.
To great degree this was the experience
of Richmond, and when the enumeration
was made here many of our travelling
salesmen were on tours of duty and hun
dreds of colored people who are in the
habit of taking service at northern plea
sure resorts had left TO enter upon
their work. Altogether the absentees
from Richmond numbered several thou
sand.
Some Of the enumerators when told OF
the absence Of these bon1-fie residents did
not deem il their duty TO list them. erro-
neously supposing that they would be en-
tered elsewhere.
Certainly the first Of Juno ia not the
best time in this section for taking the
census 1t is, we know, the date that has
long been Fixed by law. but within the past
two or three decades the customs Of the
country have undergone great changes.
Vacations are general and begin earlier
than ever. Where formerly one per-
son left the cities for the summer ten now
90. Where once men ard women
knew all their neighbors for squares
around, now it often happens not only in
New York but in Richmond that the peo-
pie who are separated by nine-inch brick
wall know nothing OF each other.
The month of April would be good
time for the census. May would not do at
all, as it is moving" month in most OF
the great cities. when thousands change
their places of residence.
In addition TO the error Of the Govern
ment III adhering to an old date no longer
suited to the habits and condition of the
people, the Journal Of Commerce finds that
the MOlh WAS NtiN AAAHNiANNNAN A"A-'f
and that tho appointment of the emu
merators was made 10y vicious system
that could not fail to insure an unsatlsiac-
tory performance of the duty assigned 10
them" II further declares that there has
come 10 light recently series OF circulars
ssnt TO party organizations asking them
to suggest the names of persons in afhlia-
ton with them whom they would Ike 70
have named for the service. In this way
and in many others the Republicans con-
trived 70 inject politics into the census.
such gross injustice has been done New
York and Brooklyn it is difficult to believe
there was no concerted effort TO underes-
innate the population in order TO de-
crease the representation OF these TWO
Great communities in the State Assembly
and IN the national House of Representa-
tiyes. In this respect, at least. what
is done il done; but another hardship
is imposed upon these people in having
the percentage Of deaths advanced IN
the exact ratio that their population Is
moderated. The New York Board of
Health has called attention to this and a
municipal census will soon be made, and
upon the figures thus obtained the mortu-
airy statistics can be honestly calculated.
Richmond will have to follow the example
of New York. We must have a police
census. New York believed she had
population Of 100000. The census
gives her but little more than 1900
600. Richmond expected $1,000 and
got between $4,000 and $1,000. not in-
Guiding, of course, Manchesters 10000. A
municipal enumeration Of the inhabitants
Of Richmond is indispensable unless, in-
deed we are willing 10 allow our Board of
Health 10 continue 10 use the old basis of
calculation or will consent TO adopt for this
purpose the United States returns OF this
year.
So far as we can see or hear there is
nothing TO give the public confidence in
the census. II seems likely to DO used. or
rather misused, to deprive the State Of one
Of her members of Congress. IL is pity.
Millions Of dollars have been spent upon
II and so far certainly as the enumeration
of inhabitants is concerned it arouses dis
trust and suspicion, view it how you may.