Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-31

81 fE-sNlNoh blNGNAN.
Mr.. Dingman Is the commanding officer of
this census army. and his executive ability as
displayed in the management of the triennial
conclave of the knights Templar held in this
city and in other important positions has been
of great value i'll arranging the details for
taking the DIstrIc. census. He has the faculty
OF attending to amultltu lie of details and at the
same time preserving his good humOr. He has
Cndeavored TO distribute from his surplus
stock TO the enUmeratOrs and has instructed
them to be gentlemanly in bearing and cour-
teOuS in language. lie does not anticipate that
the enumeratOrS Will meet with any Oppo-
sltlOn IN their work. but If he should be asked
what course should be pursued If cross dogs
attacked or lrate householder threatened per-
sonal violence. he would probably recommend
reinforcement of the clothes a sufficient
protection against the teeth of Surlv CANNES
and the boot toes of irritable citizens. rather
than any violent tjOlnder in word deed
Mr.. DIugman believes that smile Is better
than a scOwl and a kind word than harsh IAN
guage. and he has eudeavOred to impress the
minds OF the enumerators with this truth.
However. like other men who have an agree
able address, MIR. bingham knows how 10 be
stern. only he prefers the other method. 1t is
something like the claws concealed beneath
the paw of velvet The enumerators
are of the same kind They are only appar-
emily ordinary citizens going from house TO
house ASKING questions and noting the answers
They are instructed To be polite and courteous.
Dut suppose tliat lnt.E are received with marsh
ness. even violence. Suppose that they
repulscd and 4 flat refusal 10 answer the ques-
tlons Is given. Then the claws come out and the
unfortunate citizen soon realizes that these
unlmpOrtant looking individuals are the rep
reSentatlves OF the power of the United States
government. The enumeratOrs required
10 exercise courtesy and consideration, but at
the same time the governmen means business
and proposes TO get the Information.
PERSONS WHO REFUSE TO ANSWER.
In cases of refusal TO answer the questions
the name Os the person IS reported by the emu
meratOr to the supervisor and the latter re-
ports to the law officers OF the government
The prOceCl ilngs that viii follow Will be III ac-
cordanCc with the section of the census law
which reads u follows: That each and every
person more than twenty years of age. belong
ing 10 any family residing III any enumeration
district or subdivision, and III case OF the alb
sence of the heads and other members of any
such family. then any representative of
such family shall be. and each of them
hereby Is, required, If thereto requested by the
superintendent. supervisor or euumeratOr. to
render true account To tine best of his or her
knowledge OF every person belonging to such
family IN the various particulars required by
law. ami whoever shall wIltully fail or refuse
shall be guilty Of a misdc neanor, and upon
conviction thereof shall be fined III a sum not
exceeding 500"
The euumera.or is instructed that he IL not
required 10 accept answers which lac knows or
mas reason 10 believe are false. He has right
To a true statement on every matter respecting
which he Is bound to inquire. Should any
person persist III making stateme nts which are
obviously erroneous. the euumeratOr should
enter upon the schedule the facts nearly as
he can ascertain them by his own observation
or by inquiry OF credible persons.
INFORMATION GIVEN IN CONFIDENCE.
On the other hand the government protects the
rights and interests of the citizens, as shown by
H. Coll. Al.
visor or euumeratOr who shall without the au-
thorlty Of the superintendent, communicate to
any person not authorized to receive the same
any information gained by him in the perform
ance OF his duties shall be deemed guilty OF a
mIsdemeanOr. and upon conviction shall be
lined not exceeding $500
The intent o. this provision. according to the
Censds Once. i TO make the answers TO all the
inquiries confidential and to prevent disclOs-
ures OF information which woulI operate to the
personal detrImCut or disadvantage of the per-
son supplying the same. 1t l. not within the
discretion OF the supervisor or enumeratOr to
make public or give out for his private u.s. or
mat OF any other person any part of the infor-
NATION obtained by him. All requests. whG Their
from newspapers. local officials or individuals
Tor the total population OF his subdivision. or
other matters pertaining to the enumeration
should be referred 10 the Census Office for re-
ply. The returns Will be tabulated IN the Cen
Gus Once without delay, and the correct Off
cal figures supplied "a soon as ascertained
Furthermore. 1t should be the duty of the
enumerator 10 state. In all cases where objec-
non l. raised. that the names and residences
VIII not be Used IN the printed reports nor will
any statement be made concerning the business
or operations Of individual establishments
Inc obligations OF the census officials are
further set forth IN the following section OF
The law: If he supervisor or enumerato-)
snail wIiuIy or knowingly swear or affirm
falsely. he shall be deemed guilty of periurv
and. on conviction thereof. suuIl be imprIs-
oned not exceeding three years and be fined
not exceeding 800; or. IL he shall wiIfuily
and knowingly make false certificates or fc-
ttlous returns. he shall be deemed guilty of a
nlisdemcdnJr. and. upon conviction OF either
o. the last-naued offenses. he shall be fined not
exceeding $1,000 and be imprisoned not ex-
= ceedIng two years"
THE DUTIES OF LAMENTATIONS.
During the past week the enumerators have
been engaged IN distributing schedules through
out the city. The object Is to facilitate the
taking Of the census by allowing the heads of
families and members OF households time IN
which 10 consider the answers to be made IN
the several inquiries, III order that better and
more complete returns may be obtained. The
law provides that 1t shall be the duty of each
enumeratoT, after being qualified to visit per-
sOnaIly each dwelling house IN his subdivision.
anu each family therein. and each individual
living out of family III any place of abode and
by inquiry made OF the head OF such family or of
the member thereof deemed most credible and
worthy of trust, or of such Individual living
out of a family. to obtain each aud every item,
of information and ali the particulars required
by the act And IN case no person shall be
found at the usual place OF abode OF such
family or individual living out OF a family com.