The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-09-08
polio SUS
MAY .A.kEN
Common Council Called IN Extra ses-.
sion to Consider the Matter.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ACTS.
Calls Attention ofthc City Fathers TO
the Injury tho Government
Figures May Cause Unless
Proven incorrect.

= Mr.. F. c. Ebel. president of the Common
Council, yesterday issued a call for a
meeting OF that body to be held Monday
evening at O'Clock to consider the ex-
pediency OF having a police census taken.
The special session is called at the request
OF the Richmond Chamber of Commerce.
which institute is profoundly Interested in
the census matter.
The population given the CITY
by the recent United States census,
is 50 nnsatsfactory. that the Cham
Der OF Commerce deemed 1t I'M
portant TO the city welfare 10 have an
other census taken in order that errors
and omissions, il any We're made by the
Government, may be corrected. 1t is the
general belief that there are more people
In Riehmond than the census just COM
peted shows to be here and ii IS to prove
this that the Chamber asks the Council
no order census 10 be taken by the po-
dice of the city, as was done ten years
ago.
THE PETITION.
lows:
To the Honorable, the Council of the City
of Richmond:
In The name of the Richmond Chamber
of Commerce and in the interest of the
community. we most earnestly request that
your honorable body will adopt measures
TO have a public census taken at once, as
suggested by the Chef Of Police, since 1t
appears to be evident that serious in
justice will be done to the reputation of
Richmond as a growing city. by the re-
port of the enumeration of its population
(which came from Washington, D. c., on
the 4th instant.
Practically all Indications point to
marked increase in our population, not
withstanding the growth of a number of
suburban villas: for there We're never SO
many houses within the present city linz
its; never so many industries and such
general employment; never SO large a poll
tax list. and never SO many names in the
CITY directory.
THE SCHOOL CENSUS.
The only indication which would seem
to point TO an opposite View as to our
population is the school census, which
shows for the present year 81 children less
than in 1890. the figures being for these
years respectively-2i,9 S1 and 24.9I4 But
this is proven TO be an unreliable basis
of calculation from the fact that the pres
ent census enumeration. as low as it is,
gives US credit for an increase since the
last census OF S,662 inhabitants. while the
school census, as stated above. shows a
decrease. This lack Of correlation between
the school census and the census of gene
raj population may be in part accounted
Cor by two facts:
SOME FACTS.
First. That when our industries are all
actively al work, they attract to the
city number of adult operatives who
are without children; and
Second. That the extension of our
street-car lines to suburban districts has
n p
unonds with children in their families to
move 10 suburban homes. while il has not
10 the same extent produced an exodus
of citizens without ch&ldren-in other words
from The effect of the two causes men
toned. a reduction or non-:ncrease OF
school population is not inconsistent With
material increase Of The general popU-
lation.
But these are all merely indications. and
we respectfully submit that now the only
way in which can have any errors IN
the enumeration, if such exist. corrected
by the census authorities is to produce
absolute proof of their existence. and this
can only be done, as has been suggested,
by a police census.
TAKEN BEFORE.
Under similar circumstances a police CEN
Eus was taken in 1880. and so convincing
was the evidence produced that the office
of the enurnerators was kept open and a
number of omissions We're reported, which
materially added to the figures repTesen-
ing Richmonds population.
The Chamber at that time was confident
that il could have secured a recount by
the census authorities, but as the work
was completed in July. when many people
were absent from the city and their homes
CLOSED. 1t was not then deemed eNpedient
ITO ask for it.
1t is entirely unnecessary TO cite TO your
honorable body the many important rea-
sons Willy Richmond should be credited
with its full number of Inhabitants, and.
feeling assured OF the deep interest felt
in this matter. we. with confidence, ear
nestly request that the necessary appropri-
ation be made for the most perfect and
complete police census possible. and we
think this so vital and urgent necessity
that we venture to ASK for the earliest
possible action by the City Council with
reference thereto.
Your obedient servants,
L. z. MORRIS.
President.
r. A DUNLOP.
Secretary.
J. A Mclaughlin. superintendent of the