The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-22
SCANDAL IN THE CENSUS OFFICE
Mes and Women OF Notorious had Reputa-
tlon Placed In Chnrre OF Divisions.

Mes and Women OF Notorious had Reputs-
tion Placed In Charge OF Divisions.
WASHINGTON. Sept 21.-If any portion Of the
Census Oflco Is In existence when the Fifty
second Congress meets an investigation will.
no doubt, BIO set on foot that will bring to light
some astounding facts regarding tho methods
employed to produce the misleading and in
accurate statistics TINT have been given to the
world. Probably no census that has over been
taken In this or any other country has beon so
utterly discrcdited rs the present one. The
bureau has been conducted rs a political ma
chine. and its figures doctorcd In the interest
OF the Republican party. For this policy tho
Superintendent Of the Census. Mr. Robert p
Porter. Is In lnrSo measure responsible
There exists. however. in his bureau another
class OF abuses besides the juggling Of statis-
ties for which he cannot be held to account
although. as head OF the bureau md RESPONSE
bio FOR its management. he cannot altogether
escape censure. These abuses have been car
ried on for many months. and constitute
scandal that may soon call for police interior
ence II not stamped out by the Federal officials
under whose eyes they nro carried on day after
day. They nre OF such nature that tho whole
truth about them may never roach the public.
but enough has been and will be told to reveal
their hidcous nature.
While It Is true that among tho sevcrnl hun
drcd clerks appointed by Mr.. Porter there
wore large number OF efficient and deserving
men. women. girls. and boys. IL Ia also true
that associnted with them there wore md now
NO peraons OF both sexes unit to te engaged In
any respectable business Many Of tho chiefs
OF division. too arc totally unit to have charge
Of important work or to he placed In control OF
q largo number Of clerks. and some OF them are
persons Of bud character whose presence In
the Office Is M insult to the respectable clerks
employed there and disgrace to the United
States Government.
Many hundreds of clerks hive boon ON ployed
since tho work Of taking the eleventh census
was begun. and. ms was tho casa ton years ago.
they w"rc nll appointed within short space
OF tiEle and without opportunity TO gain u
knowledge Of their character and Qualifca-
tions As thcsc appointments were not under
tho jurisdiction of tho Civil Service law. they
wore made Cor tho most part on tho rccom-
mcndutions Of Republican Congressman and
various other persons OF more or less influence
ard prominence in tho G. o. r. Thus it was
that whom the Census ONCE was we'll under
way its pay rolls were burdencd with tho
names Of many persons. men and women Of
the worst possible moral character. many Of
them being placed in charge OF competent
end respectable clerks. elderly women.
young girls. and young men. These head clerks
were tyrants in the orders which they issued
| regarding tho 1uantit.' Of work to be done and
| whose privat" conduct has been demoralizing
| 20 tho entire Office. They wore responsible for
form certain amount " work every day. sub
| jcct to the penalty OF dismissal, and who car
Snhs ibis wss ssmr n Ike until
humanity. to put q stop to it.
During tho past summer the work of getting
collected aud compiled by the bureau has been
70 far, advanced that q large portion Of the
now comparatively few clerks at work. but tho
division chiefs. as fnr as heard from. ure all on
ay stu nna q in hn s
their displc ys 1t would be- impossiIls
2ssssh s.s $nS sst,p;S IT, ;r% sks vs S
street building: vcritabie reign Of terror ex.
lists The chief Is man Of notorious s eharas;
doing These two officials have repeatedly
attempted to SECURE the removal Of especially
seandnlous Conduit in the office: imo and
again they marked them for dismissal. only to
in eeha 'ne'rs
fly weeks ago the5e were 5 into
whom tho chiefs were anxious 70 get rid q:
scandalous. especially with regard e their re-
rebel!ed. They refused to be insulted further
by taking assignments Of work from the vile
was that they r soon found their services dis.
office whom the chiefs feared; because they
duct. She is woman Of the highest charac-
ter. a member Of one Of the best families in
friend Of the most worthy people; IN.
ent 81 the Census. Being unable to rid
themselves Of the presence OF this lady with
menced a systematic attempt to ruin her char
effect q boycott against her. They went to the
| lady who had Immediate charge OF her office
| work and that Of other clerk 8. and represented
her to be woman Of the vilest character. with
| whom no decent persons should associate.
Their cowardly attacks did no harm. because
was too well known. but they succeeded In
starting q row that may end seriously for them.
| ONCE was turned out Of well-known board
| ing house because of the scandal created by
her. conduct but the women recently imported.
| and the men responsible for their employ
| ment and the insulting treatment OF tho re-