The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-28
PROTESTS POURING IN UPON CONGRESS-
Popular Indignation Over tho Experiment
Census Questions.

| Census Questions.
WASHINGTON May 27.-The indignation Of
| the people throughout the United States over
| the determination Of the census authorities Ia
insist upon asking impudent questions is being
| made manifest very rapidly in Washington
| Last week there wore only few members OF
| Congress who knew anything about the sub
ject, or were prepared to say whether or not
they approved OF the proprIety OF the questions
to be asked. To-day 1t is probable that ma
yority OF the two Houses are ready
to Join In any movement that might
| be made TO suppress the circulars calling
for information as to mortgages and diseases.
II tho date set for the beginning OF the emu
merators' work were not 30 near, it is quite
probable that something would yet be done to
prevent Superintendent Porter from instruct
ing the enumerators to ask the unpopular
questions. Dozens OF members OF both Houses
are now loud in denunciation OF the action OF
tho Census Bureau, and ali are ready to vote
for an investigation. but each Is waiting for
the other to make the first move.
For the past few days the opposition has
been confined mainly to the Democrats. Now
however, the Republicans arc waking up to
the situation. and find themselves as indign ant
as their Democratic colleagues. Mr.. BOutelle
OF Maine is one Of the Republicans who is thor
oughly reused on the subject. He said to-day
that the more he thought OF the matter the
moro outrageous 1t appeared to be, and he was
ready to Join in any movement that would lead
to the suppression OF the obnoxious questions
which the enumeralors have been instructed
to ask OF citizens.
Mr.. McAdoo has not ceased for a moment to
stir up the interest of members on the subject,
and he finds now that there is general pro-
test against the Census committee for not hay
lug acted upon his resolution for an investiga-
ton. There arc only four working days. how
ever, between now and the second day OF June.
whom the enumerators begin their work. and
the feeling il general that it would not be pos
sible in that time to take any effective steps to
change the instructions Of the enumerators.
The Congressman are receiving numerous let
tiers in every mail from their constituents. ask
ing Thorn to take some action, and announcing
tnelf reorganization 10 refuse 70 answer Dues
asked.
Census Superintendent Porter is also being
not only from the citizens but from the super
visors and enumerators. who are becoming
alarmed at the storm that has been raised, and
will receive rough treatment Il they attempt
to compel citizens TO answer their imnudent
issued to-day telling them that they have no
authority to comUel citiZens to do anything;
That they are authorized slnpiy 10 Ifopounu
their questions. and TO note on their
tabulating sheets the TACT that citizens
refused to answer ln cases whore
the information asked for Is not given, was
drawn out. it is thought. by the rather re-
markable statement OF Superintendent Murray
OF New York. that 1t WAS the duty of the emu
whether citizens wero willing TO give II or not.
The iniimaiiOn in Supelintendont Porters
order. that The Department OF Justice ID pre-:
pared to deal with citizens who refuse 10 tell
what mortgage they havu on their houses and
whether they are suffering from diseases Is
laughed at by lawyers as suggesting that the
Government has any right 10 punish people for
refusing to allow their private anairs to 10
made matter Of public notorioty.
Dr. Billings who sent the circular letter to
physicians. asking them to aid enumerators In
getting u record OF Diseases, is an army sur
peon who stands Mt the head OF his profession
lie had charg, OF the medical statistics i'll tho
last census, but did not then endoaHoT TO col
lect the data which are 80 unpopular now
Notwithstanding tho high reputation, which
Dr. Billings enjoys In the army ana In MS pro-
fession his letter has been the SUBJECT OF much
adverse comment, and tho praCticabllity q his
method OF collecting the desired statistics IL
denied by various statisticians OF the Govern
ment bureaus.
The medical 10 mails throughout the coun,
try are beginning to take M tie subject and
the mails OF the Congressman now contain
protests OF all sorts in addition 10 me lndIE-
nAnt letters ~ constituents A sample Of what
Is being sent TO Congress- on this su bJoCt is
shown In the Communication received by Rep
resentatiye McAdpo to-day In the shape OF
proof slips Of an editorial which will appear IN