Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1909-08-21
SUPERVISORS OF
CENSUS NAMED
President Taft Names 1874 More
Men for Thirteenth Census,
THEY MUST ESCHEW
POLITICS OR NO JOB

Beyond Casting Their Ballots, APP
pointees Must Keep Strictly to Cen
sus Work, As Any Political Activity
on Their Part VIII Be Cause For
Immediate Dismissal.
Beverly, Mass, Aug. 16.-In letter
addressed to Secretary Nagel, of the
department of commerce and labor,
President Taft served notice that any
man engaged in the taking of the thir-
tsenth census of the United States
Who engages in politics In any way
NaIi Immediately be dismissed from
the service Outside of casting their
votes, the president believes that CEN
Sus supervisors and enumerators
sAould keep clear of anything that
savors of politics, national. state or
local.
Mr.. Taft says that in appointing CEN
eus supervisors it has been found
necessary to select men recommended
By senators and congressman In their
districts. He says he realizes that
this method of selection might easily
As perverted to political purposes,
and Il Is to take the census out OF
politics, SO far as the actual work Is
concerned, that he has explicitly ex-
pressed his desires as to the regula-
tons.
President Taft has told the repre-
sentatives and senators who have
urged various men for census places
that he would insist that no active
partisan should be named and that no
attempt should be made to build up a
political machine in any state or dis
trfct through the distribution Of the
census patronage. The presidents let
ter In part follows:
"Mr. Dear Mr.. Secretary-The TAX
ing Of the census involves the appoint
ment of some three hundred supervis-
ors. who, in turn are to appoint many
times that number Of enumerators.
The supervisors are given complete
discretion in the selection Of enum-
orators respectively to act under
them The success of the census will
depend upon the efficiency and strict
attention to duty Of the supervisors,
and upon the intelligence Of the enun1-
orators and their faithful application
70 the business in hand.
"Generally there is a supervisor for
each congressional district. 1t has
been found to be the quickest and best
means of selecting suitable supervis-
ofs to consult the congressman and
senators as to competent candidates
from their respective districts and
states.
"rhis system can easily be per-
verted to political purposes II the SUI
pervisors are not forbidden to use IL
a. an instrument for influencing local
and general elections and primaries
i'm the interest of particular candidates
or parties. 1t is not an unreasonable
requirement that anyone who accepts
an appointment as supervisor or as
enumerator shall, during the term Of
his employment and service, avoid an
active part In politics.
81 therefore order that, In the prep
aration of regulations for the taking
Of the census. you and the director of
the census embody therein proyis-
ION that any supervisor or enumera-
tor who uses his influence with his
subordinates or colleagues to assist
any party, or any candidate in a pri-
mary or general election, or who takes
any part, other than merely casting
his vote, in politics, national, state, or
local. either by service upon a politi-
cal committee, by public addresses,
by the solicitation of votes. or other
wise, shall at once be dismissed from
the service"
One hundred and thirty-four addi-
-tional supervisors of the census were
announced. President Taft has been
kept busy signing the commits
sions of the successful candidates.
Altogether, 1874 of the $50 supervisors
now have been commissioned. and Mr..
Taft's task is little more than half
completed. Practically all of the ap-
pointments have been agreed upon
but some are being held up temper
arily on account of protests.