The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-15
No Permanent Census Bureau.

Newspapers which exaggerate the cost OF
the Eleventh census under PoRTER's
management render no service to the
cause Of honest government. Thoy SIM
ply afford the Superintendent chance to
pose as an injured individual. and a pub
lie servant wrongly and maliciously &C.
cused. PORTER is not slow to seize upon
every opportunity thus offered.
The case against him is bad enough as It
really is. For tho present census work the
original appropriation by Congress was
Sc. 400. 900. with the understanding that the
Eleventh census was to be less comprehen-
sive in its scheme Of miscellaneous statis-
tics than the census Of 1880. which filled
twenty huge volumes and was scarce
ly finished before it was time to
begin the enumeration Of 1890. In
addition to the first appropriation Of &c.
OO.OOO, there were supplementary votes at
different times and for specific purposes Of
$3.50. 900, $3.50 OOO and 81 900. 900. In ALL PoR-
TER was provided with So. OOO. 900 with which
to complete his job.
The cost Of Gen. WALKERS Tenth census.
a monument Of too ambitious statistical
enterprise. but a marvel Of accuracy and
honest management. was $4.794.0O0.
PORTER says now that he has not spent
quite all OF the money at his disposal. That
he will go before the next Congress for adj
ditional appropriations is certain. In his
report to the Secretary Of the Interior.
dated on the 3Oth of last June. he confessed
total expenditure OF $6.943.994. and in
formed his superior officer that further
vote OF 100000 by Congress would be
needed ito finish the entire work in &C.
cordance with the original plans and in q
manner highly creditable to the nation"
In all human probability very much more
than 81 900. 900 will be required to finish the
work. But taking Mr.. PoRTER's own esti-
mate OF last June. the entire expenditure
upon the Eleventh census would amount to
So. OOO. 900. almost double the cost OF Gen.
WALKERS census: and even then 1t cannot
be 20 finished In a manner highly creditable
to the nation" On the contrary. it can be
finished only to stand in history as a ma
tional scandal. worthless as a statistical
record. and positively disgraceful as piece
OF administrative work.
1t seems to us that the present Is a very
poor time for the paternalists and the figure
hungry cranks to urge the establishment Of
q permanent census bureau. PORTER.
naturally. is among the loudest advocates Of
such an institution. He would like to SEQ
the recent statistical orgy continued In
definitely. with himself at the head of
tho table. But We are surprised to
find a newspaper like the Philadelphia
Record. ordinarily SO sensible In its treat
ment OF questions Of this sort. taking sides
with PORTER for permanent census
bureau. and even arguing that the very
worthlessness of the Eleventh census proves
the necessity Of a perennial establishment
for collecting statistics OF the population
and industries Of the country.
Instead OF a perpetuation Of PORTER and
Porterism. the national interests and sound
Democratic principles alike require re-
turn to the only census authorized by the
Constitution. simple enumeration of the
Inhabitants OF the United States for the
purpose OF apportioning Representatives.
Beyond that. the collection Of miscellaneous
statistics ia no more the business of tho
Federal Government than the collection Of
facts as to the standing and resources Of
firms and private indlviduals-for the benefit
OF those who may he. or who may be about
to become, their creditors.