The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-23
A RIGHTEOUS PROTEST.
REPRESENTATIVE M'ADoO hT1RTS an
INQUIRR mo THE INQUISITJON.

! Complaints from Freemen that the Proposed
Census Questions ms 10 Debt and Disease
are Unnecessary and Insulting.
WAsHINaToN. May 22.-The protest of citi
zens In various parts OF the United States
| against the attempt Of the Census Bureau &c
eXtort from them Information OF private
character that can serve no public good Is
| about to assume definite shape In Congress.
Representative McAdoo this afternoon intro
ducel resolution asking for an investigation
OF thelmatter by the Committee on the Eleventh
Census. The resolution s as follows:
Whe,sdS Complaint is being made by citizens Of the
alleged inQuisor character OF the questions proposed
to be asked by the which questions
are declared TO be Incompatible with the rights OF FREQ
men aud an unwarranted aud unconstitutional exercise
OF power by the Federal Government therefore be
ReSortd That tho Committee on the Eleventh Census
be and they are hereby directed to make inquiry into
the questions proposed to be asked OF citizens by tho
Census Bureau Its agents. aud to report by bill
otherwise looking found necessary TO the proper re-
stricton OF the same
Mr.. McAdoo was led to take this step by
reason OF his belief that the circulars sent
out by the Census Bureau are unnecessary
and insulting In their character. and because
he has received complaints from his constitu-
ents Two of thsse protests, which are samples
OF those being received by Congressman in
large mbers were submitted to the House
by MI. McAdoo In connection with his resolu-
ton. They are as follows:
IN, Hon. Htuidm W. HrAdoo
DEAR sig; address you as constituent residing in
Bayonne j. In reference TO the nterroRatories the
oensns tAkor viii put to me and members OF my Fam
are simply outrageous and shall neither answer them
nor permit any member of my family 70 do so Not
to either matter but the asking of these questions is
inQuisition he Government has right TO make.
nS & ON
ing Congress that are not generally known onrsvery
Nkw YoRK, May 81. 1900
Non F,uirn bcAdoo. Wdshtngoa r.
DrAR SiRi On or about the LIST OF June expect tho
other questions The following Have you or any
her OF your family chronic disease II So please
So is il mortgages and fop I now much ana Tor what
purpose These are probably not the exact words OF
nehr me nor pG ab liz tn %Ie ueh e on h susS
neither do want to take much Of your time but
,Gs.y do moss nrd Stnss ana te H px 9r NV
constitutional meddinR In my private affairs and re-
spsotr1y eau upon you as my representative IN Con
ner you viii best know how TO the above mentioned
questions Or any Ike them. Your rtspecflly,
? N HRRoN: SHte summit avenue. Jersey city
Sun OF this date
Many congressman are much interested In
the question. and promise TO stir the matter
up until something is done to put q stor to the
proposed impertinent questions OF tho Census
Bureau. Superintendent Porter re entity said
to THE sun correspondent on his subject. that
he did all IN his power. when the bill providing
Tor taking the census was under consideration
~ Congress. to prevent this class OF informa:
ton from being incorporated in the scope of
the census work. He talked to the committee
Tor hours hut without effect and as the law
there is nothing left for him to do but send out
the circulars. They can only be withdrawn
now by "a law OF Congress.