Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-05-29
CENSUS QUERIES

The blank schedules 10 De used in the
next census are now being distributed
by the Census Office 20 the enumerstors,
who will start 20 work on June I. The
schedules contain questions which some
persons may think prying, purposeless,
or excessive In number. But their num-
Der and character have been determined
by Congress, not by the Census Office,
and sll of them have been asked In pre-
yious censuses. The only important
change since 1880 is that some questions
have been abandoned.
People are often offended st the Ques-
ton, "How old are you:" and are apt 70
wonder what use the Government can
make Of their replies. TAKEN as q whole
the replies are as important "a any class
Of information the Census Office collects.
Age returns penetrate and eluciiate
every other branch OF statistical knowl-
edge. They show where child lsbor Is
prevalent, and where the proportion OF
persons able 20 support themselves Is
large or small. They reveal the great
number Of eolored children and the short
life Of the negroes under present eondi-
tons. They make IL possible TO sscer-
tain whether the average length OF life Is
Increasing or decreasing, how many men
the nation contains who are capable OF
voting or bearing arms, and whether the
relative number OF children Is increasing
or decreasing.
In MohSmmedan or semi-civilizad
countries like India householders are
often unwilling TO answer the question
regarding the sex OF persons in the house,
but IN civilized countries where the
sexes are regarded ss on an equality,
such unwillingness does not appear
The answers 10 the questions show that
In nearly all cities the females Outnum-
Der the males and the same IL true OF
most OF the states along the Atlantic
coast. The belief is widespread that
taking the world in general there are
more females alive at any given time
than males, and that IL it were not for
immigration there would be more fe-
males in the United States than males.
But census statistics show that We can
not explain the great excess of males
lover one and 8 half million) in the
United States by immigration alone, for
when the foreign-born are left out of
account, there are still over coo, 900 more
males than females.
Few would dispute the necessity for
asking questions regarding race. All
arguments regarding the future Of any
particular race in this country. like the
Indian, the negro, or the ChiDsman,
must hinge upon the returns 10 the CEN
>us. With the Indians, moreover, it il
~ the highest Importance 20 lean what
uscess the policy of the government
has met with In establishing them apart
from their tribes and reservations, and
whether such Indians are increasing or
decreasing.
Some mothers NAV shrink from stating
the number Of children they have had
sud the number who are living. But
from the answers TO these questions, the
country viii learn whether the native
American population is holding its own,
or whether, as some have claimed, it Is
being gradually supplsnted and dis
placed by the children Of recent immi-
grants.
In the light Of such explanations, and
only few Of the most important Ques-
tons have been touched upon, it may
be clear to the public that no question
has been ordered by Congress or has
been asked by the Census Office
which, II poperly and correctly answer
cd, will not lead to suggestive differences
regarding the American people and their
work.