The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-09-30
HERO OF THE BOGUS CENSUS.
Nj. Porter Scored in q Review Of The
Results Of the Last Count.
A SHARP SLAP At THE PRESIDENT TOO.
Great Deal OF the Blame for the Bad Cen.
sus-TakiDg Laid at the Little Mans
Door-The Propositions.

New York. Sept 2o.-The sixth report to
tho National Civil Service Reform League OF
tho special committee appointed to inquire
into the condition of the Federal civil service
portion of the reform law was made public
to-day. 1t is devoted entirely to review Of
the results OF the last census which
together with the workings and methods
OF the Census Bureau itself are Sc
verely criticised. THE census ought TO be
as free from partisan color as the Judiciary.
says the report. and this premise it supports by
declaring that the defective results IN the
census Of 1870 was traceable to the patronage
system, while the satisfactory results of the
census taken in 1850 were the elimination of
partsansbip from the census. The Presi-
dent says the report. although elected
upon a civil service reform platform. refused
to extend the system OF competitive examina-
tion to the Census Bureau. and the superin-
tendent was allowed to retain the appoint
Matchmaking power.
RESTING THE BLAME.
As the result great numbers of bureau en-
plOyes were nominated BY Republican men,
bers of Congress and partisan consideration
influenced the appointment of many enumera-
done and III many instances thoroughly dis
credited.
Many instances are given on both sides.
and the report concludes: Your committee
consider that the following propositions have
been established 10y the results of their in-
quirles. That the refusal to apply the civil
service reform system OF open non-parti-
san competitive examination in appoint
ments to the clerical force of the
census bureau was violation by the
president of promise contained in
the Republican platform in 1888, and in
doTsed IN his letter Of acceptance that by
the appointment OF enumerators on political
grounds IN open violation of section five of
the Census act, great numbers of incom-
petent men have been engaged IN taking the
census, and that IN many places attempts
have been made to use official positions for
the benefit Of the party in power.
THE WORK BADLY DONE.
That while in some places the results of tho
work appear 10 be free from partisan color
and TO be accurately and well done. vet in
many places the work has been carelessly
and badly done. and is open to the suspicion
that partisan considerations have not been
absent. and that finally there is widespread
dstrust Of the accuracy OF the census which
greatly lmpalrs It's value to the country.
and which Is caused, in great measure. by
the fact that the Census Bureau has been
upon the spoils system.
Your committee desires TO express It's be-
lief that no census will hereafter receive the
confidence of the people until it has been
wholly removed from partisan influences. and
they trust that In the future such successful
ne already have beea made OF tLs
merit system will be followed in oil Federal
The report is signed by William Dudley
Foulke, Charles J. Bonaparte, Richard II.
Dana, Wayne McYeagh and Sherman S.
Rogers.