The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-02
All Citizens are Expected to Answer
Questions and Thus Assist tho Gov

Fifty-six census enunerators entered
upon their duties in Richmond yesterday
morning and before evening many OF them
were sorry that Uncle Sam had selected
them to perform the arduous duties OF
census takers.
Their paths were not stre%n with roses
nor were they invited in to iInc:l at many
places Soma of them had tales OF woe
to tell last night, while others had nothing
but pleasant things 70 relate. Owing to
the verdancy of the euumerators and the
obstacles that were thrown in the paths or
some OF them. but little progress was
made.
Tic United states acts in good faith.
however, when it employs the enumerator
to go around to take the census, and eacn
and every citizen should assist in every
way to help him
Each man IS sworn to secrecy. he can
not divulge anything that IS told him In
his canvass nor can any one accompany
him on his rounds.
AT the close OF business hours daily
each one will figure out on card the mum
Der OF names ne has collected and send
it directly to the census bureau III WASH
Ington. Secrecy is also observed III TINS
respect The public cannot learn the num-
Der enumerated day by day through the
local men. This must De learned from the
headquarters in Washington.
ANY disregard of the rules as laid down
by the Government makes the enumera-
tor so disregard!ns them amenabie 10 fine
and imprisonment
COURTESY AND DISCOURTESY.
AT most OF the houses visited yesterday
the enumerators were treated with the
utmost courtesy, and the questions asked
were cheersul!y answered. But at many
places the census men ran up against OBJ
stacles- Some people OBJECT 70 giving sas
information sought by the government 10
properly make out the reports and TO get
accurate grounds for basins the census
work on.
Many people. mostly ladies, objected TO
giving their ages. and others, when they
learned. WHO was at the coor, sreiuSsu 70
bo interviewed at all.
The Census Bureau has sent out num-
Der of circulars contrasting much inforEa-
ton for The public that is intended 10 as
sist in getting an accurate census
People are often offended al the question.
How old are you?" and are apt TO won
der what use the government can make
of their replies. Taken as @ whole. the
replies are as important as any class CT
information the Census Office collects.
Age returns penetrate and elucidate every
other branch Of statistical knowledge.
They show where child labor is prevalent,
and where the proportion of persons able
to support themselves is large or small.
They reveal the great number of colored
children and the short life of the negroes
under present conditions. They make II
possible to ascertain whether the average
length OF life Is increasing or decreasing.
how many men the nation contains who
are capable OF voting or bearing arms,
ard whether the relative number % csIl~
aref Ia increasing o. Decreasing.
DIRECTS OF THE CENSUS.
The objects OF the Federal census are
: Of three kinds: To furnish basis for the
apporttonment OF representatives In the
lower House of Congress; to ascertain the
growth OF the United States IN numbers.
wealth, and industry and to investigate