The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-22
TAKING ASSEMBLIES CENSUS.
Senator Vance Replies to Superintendent
porter's Letter.

senator Vance Replies to Superintendent
Porter's Letter.
Senator Vance has replied to the recent
letter received from Census Superintendent
Porter, i'm which the latter calls his atten
ton to the statement OF a supervisor that
the people of Asheyile were eyading the
duty of answering the census questions and
calling upon the Senator TO use his influ-
ence with the people so that the census
work will not be interfered with.
Senator Vance expresses surprise that
| Mr.. Porter should attribute SO much i'm
portance to the supervisors letter: "lf, in
deed. be wrote it, which am inclined 10
doubt, as | am informed by Representative
| Ewart that he was not at home on the day
| of its date. | regret also the readiness
which YOU evince 10 believe evil Of the pcO-
pie Of Asheyillc, y. c., on the mere report
of enumeratOrs whose chief complaint seems
20 be that they are not making more than
$3.50 per day These enumerators do not
state in how many instances the people
have evaded them, nor do they profess
to know whether the excuses made by the
servant at the door were genuine or pre-
tended They evidently are Of the opinion
that it is the duty of every householder in
Asheyille 10 sit patiently in his house from
day to day IN the expectation that the
enumeratOr may possibly call, in order that
he may make more than $3.50 per day.
protest against making the people Of Ashc-
Vile responsible for the unknown few who
send a servant to the door saying, There is
no one here who can give in the census II
there are such cases they should be dealt
with individually, and the iaw-abiding 'peO-
pie of Asbeyille' should not suffer in their
reputation for the misdoing Of few. | am
sure your own sense of justice Will suggest
the improperly of holding the citizens of
Asheyille' responsible for an anonymous
circular that is neither signed by a RESPONSE
bic name nor shown to have been distribu-
ted with anybOdy's appreciation. have not
heard anything from the citizens of Ashc
vile, and have no information on the sub
!ect save that which is contained in your
letter and Enclosures, but | am quite sure
that the whole matter is exaggerated, and
that YOU will find no more difficulty in
taking the census there than in any other
city.
"lf your enumerators know how to be-
have themselves they Will meet with no
trouble in the discharge of their duties.
81 cannot conclude this letter without
adyerting to statement in the conclusion
of yours that everything had been done
which was in your power 10 hye cOmpe-
tent men appointed as supervisors and emu
tiHiti ihC W odl tHdJ .Ou ihi-ul
have consulted and advised with those who
are intimately acquainted with the coun-
try and the people and who were members
Of political party different from your own.
IL have received information, both by pri-
vate letter and the public prints, that in
quite number of instances in North Caro-
lima enumerators who had been appointed
and were at work had been removed for no
reason except that they were Democrats,
and Republicans, sometimes colored men,
were put in their places.
This, you will admit is calculated to irri- |
tate the people and impress them with the
idea that the census is not TO be fair one |
OF course, this is an Incorrect idea, but
where so much has been done 10 excite pcO-
pies displeasure IL should serve 10 make you
charitable toward an occasional display Of
resentment.
''Of course, if satisfied that there is any
real trouble in obtaining il proper census Of
Asheyille. such influence as | NAV have
with those people shall be freely exerted 10
assist your officers. Washington Star.