Evening star., 1897-02-19
TAKING THE CENSUS
-
Police to Count. Population of the
City fhis Week.
The INSTRUCTIONS ISSUED
What the Statistics Are Intended
tosshom.
PLACES OF SLEEPING

The police census CT the city, which it was
stated exclusively in The Star several
weeks ago would shortly be made begins
March 10 next. To carry out the order of
the Commissioners in the matter the fol-
lowing Instructions were issued today to
the officers:
ITO obtain accurately the number of in
habitants of the District of Columbia and
the number of children between the ages
of six and eighteen years not attending
school on the 10Th day of March, 1897. there
must be uniformity among the officers in
the manner of taking the census.
ITO insure that end the following in
structions are given:
Il. The Eeutenants will divide their re-
spective precincts iEto two or more enum-
Grafton districts, which will be numbered [,
2, 3. etc.
80. In the city portion of the District of
Columbia the officer assigned to district /
in a precinct will commence work at the
lowest numbered square in such district.
and so on through the several enumera-
ton districts in the precinct so that in the
end the census will have been taken of all
the squares in each district and in the
whole precinct in successive order. For in
stance, in enumeration district 1 Officer
Blank begins with square 234 and continues
with 235. 236. 237, ETC.. in enumera ton dis
trict ? IN the SAME precinct, Officer Blank
begins with square 23s and continues with
239, 24O, etc.
':3. The population Of the alleys and courts
in each square should be included in the
total population of the square. 1t is the
order of the Commissioners that the popu-
lation be SO taken as to secure the popula
tion of each court and alley distinctly. To
secure this the enumeration Of each alley
and court must be taken separately and
the name of each alley and court in the
square to which 1t belongs should be stated
In the column provided for squares, courts,
alleys and roads thus: Square 44S, Goat
alley.
~. The suburban or county portion of the
District. in each precinct, should be so
divided into enumeration districts that the
population of towns, villages and settle
ments may be had distinctly. For in
stance. the roads and streets bounding
Mt Pleasant should be given and the pop
ulation of such roads and streets and of
all the roads and streets included within
its bounds taken. All such roads. lanes,
streets. etc. should be marked in the col
umn provided fey that purpose.
%. The officer acting as enumerator
should first note in the proper column the
square. road. alley or court where he be-
gins his work. He should use no figures
except in marking the total. but should al
ways use the tally mark in noting each
person. In tallying the number of children
not attending school note under the mark
such non-attendance.
&c. All Cinnamon, Indians, prisoners. deaf
and dumb, blind, insane, inmates OF in
stitutions should be enumerated just as
others are, and at the same time Il state
ment to the effect that they are such will
be given under the marks i'll the back OF
the book. so that the number of sach per-
sorS, in whatever Institution they may be
and in whatever square 1t may be located
may he had when the census is finally
completed.
!. By under six years is meant every
body who is not six years of age; between
six years and eighteen years is meant any
body who is six years and over and eigh-
teen years and under
s. Those persons who habitually sleep in
the District, those whose regular business
is in the District though they may sleep
outside or be absent temporarily; those
who reside iE the District, though without
business; those who may be absent tenn
porarily. and those who reside here put
who spend the summer elsewhere are to
be considered permanent residents and are
to be entered in the proper column.
.. Those whose regular business is else
where and who are only sojournerS In the
District should be enumerated and atten-
ton invited to the square in which they
live and the number of such persons under
remarks.
TO- The officer should never lose sight of
the fact that he is taking the census of
only one locality of the District. party
doing business in one officers district may
reside elsewhere in the District of Column
bia where another officer is taking census
He must, therefore, be careful not to
enumerate or enter in his column any bust
ness man sleeping in locality where
another officer may be taking a census.
Where the bed Is there should the party
be enumerated
II. The officer should be careful to visit
every dwelling, hotel, lodging house, busi-
ness place, shop, warehouse factory, stable,
cabin, hut, tent, canal boat, river boat,
barge and all other places, public or pri-
vate, for business or abode for families or
for persons.
II. The information sought about persons
should be obtained from the persons them
selves, If reliable. or, in their absence. from
the most reliable person accessible. In
case of families from the head of the fam
lily or a member thereof deemed the most
reliable
II. In interrogating parties to obtain the
Information: desired. courtesy and con-
sideration must be shown by members of
the force. and when in doubt they should
never hesitate to ask for instructions from
their superiors.
"A. When the enumeration is completed
all columns should be footed and the total
given wherever asked by the ruling, and
the books forwarded to the chief clerk at
police headquarters