The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-05-28

ABOUT one nundred OF the census
enumerators appointed by Supervisor
John II, Edwards assembled in the
board OF trade rooms Saturday after
noon for the purpose of becoming ac-
quainted and obtaining whatever addi-
tional information that was possible by
cooperating and discussing the work
which will begin an over the United
States on Friday of this week.
The meeting was helpful to many
who have districts where some con-
fusion might arise, and the matter of
obtaining interpreters for localities
where foreigners predominate was also
made clear to the enumerators. On the
whole, all of the men who have been
selected to take the census are intelli-
gent, active and now thoroughly famil-
lar with the work after months Of in
struction.
1t now remains for the people to help
the enumerators in compiling the nee.
essary statistics, and in arranging for
the details in case of absence from the
city or other cases where dwelling.
have been closed for the summer
months. There are many questions to
be answered, but people must not
blame the enumerator II they seem i'm
pertinent. The law requires people to
answer them, and the census taker Is
pledged to absolute secrecy in record
ing the answers.
The accuracy with which the emu
meration will be made is particularly
of interest to Scrantonians in view Of
the fact that this city will be in the
second class II a population over no.
900 is recorded. II the county OF Lacka-
wanna contains over 10000 inhabit-
ants, the positions OF sheriff, district
attorney and county commissioners will
become salaried offices.
APPOINTMENTS MADE.
Supervisor Edwards will meet the
enumerators in Carbondale this even
Ing, Olyphant tomorrow evening and
Taylor Thursday evening. The follow
Ing additional appointments have been
made:
Second Assistant Supervisor, Miss Florence
Gibbs Of West Scranton.
Enumerators-Ransom, Victor A. Mayer; Scran.
ton, Second ward, Fifth district, John F. Nc
! Gowan; Seventeenth ward, First district, j. l.
Teesdale; Seventeenth ward, Third district, r.
| II. Martin
eypreters-Mayfeld, Alexander schlanto;
| Olyphant, Dionsysius Perch; Dunmore, Fabrizio
! De Angera Scranton, Stanley j. Tjburski Tay-
lor, Ferdinand Nensessangi; Old Forge, Antonio
| Biancardi.
The objects of the federal census are
OF three kinds: To furnish a basis for
the apportionment of representatives
in the lower house of Congress; to as
certain the growth of the United
States in numbers, wealth, and indus
try; and to investigate the social or
ganizations and institutions which de-
termne the growth of population and
wealth. The first Is q constitutional
necessity, the second study of facts
and the third a study of causes.
| Probably no social institution is sc
Intimately connected with the growth
of population as that of marriage. Ir
investigating marital conditions the
law requires about each person q
statement whether he or she is single
married, widowed or divorced; If mar.
ried, how many years the marriage
bas lasted: If a mother, how many
children she has had, and how many
of these children are now living.
QUESTIONS DETERMINED.
From the answers to the questions
II Is possible to determine the birtt
rate, the prevalence of marriage, thu
proportion Of women and children tC
the whole population, the duration ant
fruitfulness OF marriage. So far a!
the power and importance OF nation!
are dependent upon the size Of th'
population, to that extent is the ac
curate determination of these ques
tions q matter of public necessity.
In the United States there would
seem to be little danger of a decline
in the population. But even when w
are sure that the population is grow