Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-06-03

IN
REfoRrrp-oSLy rERzx RrrusALs IN NEW
YORK REPORTED ropAr-cAsrs LAID srroRr
DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.
Mr.. Porter, the superintendent OF the census.
went to the Department Of Justice today for
the purpose Of asking that immediate steps
be taken toward the enforcement OF several
provisions Of the census law. The violations
were reported today to Mr.. Porter and he at
once took steps to have the law enforced So
far there have been twenty-five cases reported
OF persons refusing 10 answer the questions
put to them BY enumerators
The proprietor Of saloon at 2S5 East 18Th
street. New York city. Bernard Smith, not only
refused to answer the questions but assaulted
the enumeration. In the other cases reported
no assault vas mentioned. Mr.. Porter expects
to prosecute these cases with great vigor.
ESuMERAroRs IN DANGER OF PROSECUTION.
There is another feature Of the Law which
Mr.. Porter finds is being violated Some OF
the enumerators, after taking the oath and be-
ginning the work, have declined to serve.
Unless some sufficient reason is offered. aud
can be punished with fine and
imprisonment In ali the cases Of this char
acter thus far reported Mr.. Porter will en-
deavor to have prosecutions begun.
MI Porter receives great many inquiries
as to whether enumerators can give out the
information which they obtain. In some sec
tons OF the country. especially in the large
cities, circulars have been sent TO the enumer-
ators by ne Sspapers asking that the daily re-
ports which each enumerator is required to
make to the supervisor of the district aud to
the superintendent Of the census be furnished
to them.
DIRECTING PROSECUTIONS.
Superintendent Porter today received a tele-
gram from the census enumerator for the third
Georgia district today asking what must
supervisor do when head of family absolutely
refuses to give information concerning himself
or family on any line inquiry; furthermore.
forbids enumeration entering his prem;ses?''
10 this Mr.. Porter replied directing the
supervisor to lay all the facts in the case be-
lanta and commence proceedings against said
head OF family under the census act.
superintendent Porter also received tele-
grams today from John Burnsted of Jersey
City, supervisor of that census district, asking
what he should do where enumerators had re-
fused to perform their duties. TO this MR.
Porter sent reply directing that
unless satisfactory reasons are given for the
performance of duties the facts be laid be-
fore the district attorney for prosecution.
In the case of the assault on an enumerator
in New York and refusals to answer questions
Superintendent Porter today sent letter
directing prosecution.
ONLY THREE CASES TO-DAY.
At2 o'clock this afternoon Superintendent
Porter received telegram from James H.
Wardle, chief clerk OF census office, now in
New York watching the enumeration, in which
he says: ''Oniy three refusals up to II O'Clock
today to answer census schedules"
superintendent Porter at once telegraphed
Supervisor Murray to lay the cases of refusal
before United States District Attorney Mitchell
and commence proceedings at once in the dis
trict court
THE UNITED STATES BEHIND HIM.
superintendent Porter said TO STAR reporter
that the census Office has the United States Con-
stitution. Congress and the courts back OF it
in this matter and that examples must be
made at once. There is, he said. no
difference Of opinion among constitutional
lawyers a. to the authority for compelling
people to answer any of the questions except
those OF diseases The constitution says a
census shall be taken every ten
years, but it IL impossible to
take a census without taking the names and
where answers 10 such questions are refused
summary examples will be made Of the parties
ENUMERAToRs MUST NOT GIVE OUT ISFoRMA-
TON.
Today Superintendent Porter sent to each
enumerator the following circular:
THE thirteenth section Of the census act Of
March l, 1889. makes it a misdemeanor. pun
ishabie by fine Of $500. for any supervisor
or enumeration to communicate 10 any per-
son net authorized to receive the same
any information gained by him in
the performance OF his duties. 1t is not,
therefore, within the discretion of the super
visors or enumerators to make public or give
out any part of the information obtained by
them. This applies with equal force TO loca.
authorities, newspapers and individuals In
no case will the superintendent grant permits
sion to divulge any such information.
mo neutrality-suspicious. of the returns must
be made by the supervisors and no rough esti-
mates given out. The schedules should be sent
to Washington Immediately after examination
has been made by the supervisor to discover
omissions and errors"