Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1890-06-05
THE CENSUS.

OF Men Gathering Al Manner Of Informa-
tion-- Questions Must lie Answered.
WAsniNaroN, June2. machinery
for taking the census for 1890 was put In
operation to-day all over the United
States, and as 1t will be pushed as ex-
peditously as possible Superintendent
Porter expects early returns 10 his Of
flee, so that the work Of tabulating can
be entered upon and completed within
a reasonable period All the prelim-
mary matters have been arranged,
blanks prepared and enumerators in
structed as to their duties, and all that
remains 10 be done is TO collect the data
which IL has been decided shall become
part OF the census. IL requires 48, 600
men as enumerators to gather the requi-
site information and each OF these is
either employed in definite locality
or upon some special topic. This, how
ever, does not include the additional
thousands OF clerks employed in collect
ing and tabulating tho returns that will
come back from all over tho country as
the result of the labors OF tho enumer-
ators so 1t can be seen at a glance what
a corps of men it requires and the inn
mense sum OF money which must be ex-
pended to accomplish this undertaking.
Mr.. Porter has accepted and confirmed
the supervisors selection OF enumer-
ators except in few instances whore
the fitness Of the appointees was ques-
toned, and 1t being shown that they
we're incompetent others were substi-
tuted. In the South in some places OBJ
lection was made TO the appointment OF
eolored men, but the supervisors being
held responsible for their men he con
cluded TO trust to their discretion and
declined 10 Interfere upon that ground.
II is known, however, that appoint
mems of this kind are few and even in
the case OF coiored supervisor nearly
all Of the enumerators designated by
him are white.
II IS not anticipated that much trouble
viii be experienced in obtaining an
swers to the questions that are pro-
pounded, but whore refusals are met
with they will be at once reported and
steps taken TO. enforce the law The
superintendent is not given any dis
erection in the matter, but II is made
obligatory upon him 10 report each and
every person who falls TO comply with
the requirements OF the law to the
proper persons, who will institute
vigorous prosecution against the viola
tors Of il, and they become liable TO a
fine OF 500. IL is thought that some
trouble will be experienced in securing
answers to the inquiries regarding mort
cages as well as those concerning spe-
cial information in relation to disease
about which physicians have recently
given opinions No exceptions will be
made in propounding the questions OF
harsh measures resorted 20 in enforcing
the law, but where IL becomes plain
that the provisions Of the law are inten-
tionally being violated, then the par
ties so offending will be called upon to
take the consequences.
Mr. Porter intimated very plainly last
evening that so far as the "chronic
diseases" questions were concerned IL
was not the intention OF the Office 10 en-
ieavor to bring 20 punishment those who
were reluctant to make answer, but as
TO the mortgage" question he spoke not
quite so cheeringly for those who had
not to answer this part OF [
the schedule, though the probability is /
strong that nothing will be done /
with recalcitrants on this matter. |
He expressed himself very earn
sstly, however, with regard to bring /
ing the law to bear on those who should |
willfully refuse 60 answer any and all |
questions put to them by the enumer-
ators. They would be compelled 20
answer, he said, or to take the conse-
luenoes Of their refusal. He thought \
here was possibility that members Of
he criminal classes might take ad-
fantage Of the fight made against the
diseases and mortgage questions to re-
'use any information whatever 20 the
and he stated that this
would not be tolerated under any cir