The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1900-04-13
Merriam ON THE CENSUS
HISTORY AND PURPOSE OF THE
UNDERTAKING
A Pamphlet Which ought to be a
Great Public Educator on a Very
Important Subject.

important SUBJECT,
At a suggestion from the Special
Agent in Chief of the census for the
Hawaiian Islands, the Director of the
Census, Gen. Merriam has had reprint
ed in pamphlet form, his article on the
census of 1900 originally published in
the North American Review for Janu
airy, This is the most complete and
practical article of moderate length
ever published on the subject A copy
of the pamphlet will be sent to every
census agent Those for Hawaii were
received by the Australia. The portion
of II summarizing the history and pur-
pose of the American census is here
reproduced
While it is undeniable that the aver
age American citizen is enthusiastic
concerning the future growth and pros
perity of his country and is at times
apt to indulge in more or less patrio-
tic endeavor in this direction, 1t is Sc
riousy to be questioned whether the
United States marshals who took the
first census of the United States, in
the year 1890, had the slightest con-
ception of what a great enumeration
would mean at the approach of the
dawn of the twentieth century. Prim-
arily, the object of the census was to
ascertain the population for the pur-
pose Of arranging an appointment for
representation in Congress. But, as
the years have gone on, from a mere
count of inhabitants the census has de-
veloped into a vast industrial and So
Geological undertaking.
For the first ten decades the census
work was in charge of the head of the
State Department, the United States
marshals arranging all the details and
sending in the returns. In the year
on Of
the extent of the manufacturing indus
tries of the country, but the results
were so unsatisfactory that the inquiry
was of little value. In the year 1850,
however, a distinct change was made in
the plan for doing the census work.
The Secretary of the Interior was given
charge of the whole undertaking, and
a census board, consisting of the Sec
rotary of State, the Attorney General,
b, and the Postmaster-Gener was in
structed to prepare such schedules as
might be necessary. The board was
further instructed to collect statistics
in regard to mines manufacturing sta
tistics was made by Gen. Francis A.
Walker, one of the most eminent men
ever connected with census work. He
originated the plan of Withdrawing the
manufacturing schedules from the
Fnumerators in the largest cities in the
Union, and of appointing Special
) Agents to gather the information re-
quired concerning manufacturing es-
Establishments in such cities. This plar
resulted in securing by far the best
statistics concerning industrial institu-
ticns ever before procured.
The legislation provided for the TAX
ing of the Eleventh Census involved 2
tremendous amount of work, more thar
most people appreciate; and the results
in view of the difficulties presented ant
the obstacles encountered, were re-
2 n'arkable. Mr.. Porter was not appoint
( ed Superintendent until over two
months after the passage of the Act
and he was pushed from the start OF
, all sides. Congress submitted amend
ments to the Act Just previous to thu
date fixed for the enumeration; anC
this materially added to the ALREADY
overburdened schedules, and delayed
= their full tabulatiOn and presentation
There were many obstacles that oper
ated to block the project, and, in viev
of the numerous irritating condition.
| that arose, 1T was a miracle that tn
final outcome was so creditable. 1t I
much easier to stand afar off and crit
else, without a knowledge of the facts
than it is TO accomplish the desired re
suits. Mr.. Porter burdened himsel
. with a gigantic undertaking, and he I
d entitled to much consideration an
- commentator from his fellow citizens
The law of 1899 is a wide departul
re from any previous census Legislation
a The indications are that, in the decade
IF that are past, as the time apprOache
Y for making the required enumeration
n the plan for doing the census work wa
~ always hastily devised, and thus ten
,e porary and spasmodic atmosphere wa
ie given to the whole enterprise. lis seem
to have been the idea of those VIII
is shaped the census legislation in II
he past that the work did not need an
% well-defined plan, but that a large ten
n, porary force could be gathered togeth,
ne and the information concerning popI
r lNt ion, agriculture, and manufacture
N iAlustries and other subjects collectt
y and reported to the country within
ne short space of time. The results, hov
IN ever were extremely unsatisfactoI
e. to all who are really interested in
be creditable piece of work The Act Vi
der which the Twelfth Census is b.
IS ing operated is decidedly the best la
ng that has ever been enacted for takiI
% a census. The executive and statistic
Oh branches of the work are so sharply d
Il fined that it is possible to make Il
individual in charge of each inquiry +
s. sponsibe for lack of method or taro
~, ness in securing results.
tC The Director has general charge
al the administration, and under him
ed an Assistant Director, who is a train
fit statistician, and to whom is assign
the general oversight of the vario
r? statisticians employed by the Burea
Five Chief Statistcians are provide
for, and a certain line of inquiry n
been assigned to each one, and he
to be held responsible for his particul
branch of the work. Each Chief Stat
tician has been selected for his we
. known ability in handling the par
cular subject assigned him, each o
having a reputation for capacity a
= thOroughness in his special line of /
quiry. The Act creating the Burea
al, for the first time in the history of &c
Ter sus legislation, prescribes absolutely
m limited time in which to finish certa
he branches of work. Two years ha
been allowed for gathering tabulatiT
Ike printing, and binding the statistics
- latinP IN the fOur most irnDorta ut e11