Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1909-08-19
No POLITICS ALLOWED.
President Taft Says Census Enumer-
atOrS Must Not Become Politicians.
He ISSUES AN ULTIMATUM.
Those Engaged Must Steer Clear Of OfEverything
That SayOrs of Politics, National, State. or Local

The names of those who will supervise
the taking of the 1910 national census
in the several congressional districts OF
Michigan have been announced as fol-
lows, with the exception of those yet to
be appointed in the First, Second and
Sixth districts respectively:
Third district-Fred w. Stuart.
Fourth district-Charles F. Dawson.
Fifth district-John l.. Boer.
Seventh district-Hugh II. Hart.
Eighth district-John Baird
Ninth district-John A. Sherman.
Tenth district-Charles r. Jackson.
Eleventh district-Sylvester p. Youngs
Twelfth district-James T. Bennett.
In letter directed to Secretary Nagel
of the department of commerce and
labor, regarding the appointment OF the
supervisors and enumerators, President
Taft expresses himself in no uncertain
manner regarding the attempt to build
up political machines as result of the
many hundreds of appointments that
will necessarily have to be made to do
the wotk. In his letter Mr.. Taft said:
Beverly, Mass, Aug. Ia, 1909. My
Dear Mr.. Secretary-The taking of the
census involves the appointment Of some
800 supervisors, who in turn are to ap-
point many times that number of enum-
orators. The supervisors are given COM
A. Ns.N,, go
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 enumerators and their
faithful application to the business IN
hand. Generally their is supervisor
for each congressional district. 1t has
been found to be the quickest and best
means of selecting suitable supervisors
to consult the congressman and senators
as to competent candidates from their
respective districts and states.
This system can easily be perverted
to political purposes if the supervisors
are not forbi lden to use it as an instru
meut for influencing local and general
elections and primaries i'll the interests
of the party, candidates, or parties. 1t
is not an unreasonable requirement that
any one who accepts an appointment as
supervisor or as enumerator shall during
the time of his employment and service
avoid an active part in politics.
Il ther sfore order that in the prepara-
ton of regulations for the taking of the
census you and the director of the census
embody therein a provision that any
supervisor or enumerator who uses his
influence with his subordinates or COL
leagues to assist any party or any can
didate in primary or general election.
or who takes any part other than merely
casting his vote, in politics, national,
stateer local, either by service upon a
political committee, by public addresses,
by the solicitation of votes, or otherwise,
shall at once be dismissed from the
service.
WISH w LldhO do
broad as possible and wish it enforced
without exception. 1t is of the highest
importance that the census should be
taken by men having only the single
purpose of reaching a Just and right
result, and that the large amount of
money to be expended in the employ
ment of so vast machine as the census
shall not be made to serve the political
purposes of anyone"
The public will approve of the action
of the president and applaud him for
having the courage to serve notice on
those who always aim to make a public
office a private snap.
The selection of 5. Perry Youngs of
Montcalm county as supervisor of this,
the Eleventh district, will meet the ap-
proval Of the republicans of the district
generally. Mr. Youngs was an earnest
and loyal supporter of Congres ssman
Dodds in the primaries year ago, and
naturally Mr. Dodds' friends are pleased
that the man he indorsed was selected
for the place. j. b. Haskins of Howard
City, an ardent Covell supporter, made
an effort TO carry off the plum.