Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-12-01
General Instructions for
The Supervisors.
Progressive Farmers Sons
And Daughters
Should Be Employed, Says the
Direetors...Women Eligible.

general instructions to supervisors of the
have Ssen sad by u s. tns
scope of the census, the period of enum-
Grafton, the duties of the supervisors, the
formation of enumeration districts, the
appointment of enumerators the employ
ment of interpreters, the compensation
and allowances of supervisors, the penal
ties for non-performance Of duties, and
conclude with personal paragraph in
tended to promote prompt and whole
hearted cooperation.
The instructions point out that there is
nothing in the census act making women
or persons under q years of age ineligi-
Bile for appointment as enumeratorS. 1t
Is stated that a considerable number of
women were employed in both the
Eleventh and Twelfth censuses. 1t is
ploy enumerators who are too immature,
either in experience or appearance. The
supervisors are cautioned to exercise
their judgment in each individual case.
1t is suggested, as they are particular
ly likely to be good enumerators, that the
supervisors employ crop reporters of the
U. S. Department of Agriculture; officers
and leading workers in farmers organi-
tive creameries, ETC.; progressive far
mers and their sons and daughters, and
especially young men and women who
have attended agricultural colleges or
agricultural experiment stations; physi-
clans; former enumeratOrS; school
teachers and substitute teachers; college
and high school students; persons who
have passed federal, state, or municipal
civil-service examinations for clerical
positions or for mail carriers; substitute
letter carriers; local, state, and municipal
officers: and particularly town and viii
lage clerks and recorders.
The supervisors are cautioned that in
no case should any person who is direct
ly or indirectly concerned in the assess
ment of property for taxation or in the
collection of taxes be designated as an
enumeration.
The instructions call attention to sec
ton 10 of the Census Act and state it
made solely with reference to the fitness
of the appointees and without reference
to political party affiliations.
The supervisors are informed that after
proper enumeration districts have been
established it will be their duty to desg-
nate a suitable person in each district to
perform the actual work of enumeration.
The Director is emphatic upon this
point and says it is their most important
duty. They must exercise the greatest
possible care to secure competent per-
sons. Their success as supervisors and
the success and value of the census as a
whole are he states, absolutely depend
ent upon the thOroughness, accuracy, and
promptness with which the enumerators
perform their duties.
The instructions state that the cnum-
orators should be active, energetic per-
sons of good address. They must be
thoroughly trustworthy, honest and of
good habits. They must have at least
ordinary education and be able to write
plainly and with reasonable rapidity. In
general. preference should be given for
mer enumerators, if they are at present
physically able to perform the duties.
1t is hoped, the Director states. that
in many cases they will be able to secure
the services of persons who DO not care
for the positions on account or the pay
involved, but who are willing to do the
work in the public interest.
While not required by law. the enum-
orator should live in the district he IS to
canvass. Only in case of competent resi-
be made of a person living elsewhere
The instructions state that in order 70
determine the fitness of enumerators the
Director will at later date. provide Tor
an examination. the form of which will
be prescribed by him, and the eXamlna,
ton papers themselves will be passed
upon by the Census Bureau. This exaInl-
nation will be of practical characst:el,
consisting chiefly or wholly of the filling
out of a sample schedule of population
from data furnished. and, in the case OF
districts, the filling out of a sample
schedule of agriculture. Applicants. VINO
are unable to pass this examination VIII
be rejected, and it will be necessary for
utmost precautions will be adopted by
the Director to obtain an examination
which will accurately reflect the indivl-
dual fitness of the applicants, and when,
bic safeguard to prevent any of the appll-
cants from resorting to collision or from
obtaining assistance in the preparation
OF the sample schedule.
1T will be mark of your fitness for
the position you hold" state the instruc- |
lions, to make your selections in such a |
way that the number who will be unable |
to pass this examination will be as small |
as possible You will later be fully in
formed as to this examination"
The circular states that applicants
should understand that their entire work. |
ing time will be required during the
period of enumeration, and if they accept |
such appointment and qualify they can
not, under the law, without jutifiable |
refuse or neglect to perform the |
duties of the position. Having assumed
the office. they can not retire at their |
own pleasure. The supervisors are ad-
vised to have in view substitute enum- |
orators.
It is stated that in enumeration dis
trlcts where the population is largely of
some particular foreign nationality. the
supervisors ought to be able to obtain |
members OF that nationality with suffi-
cieht lntelnSence and education to act as
enumerators. The employment of such |
persons as enumerators will also tend to
dlspel any prejudice that may exist
asalnst the census among the foreign !
1t would also reduce the cost |
OF the employment of interpreters.
Inc supervisors are informed that the |
regular form of application for appoint
1nent as enumeration: circular Setting
fI<Tl-A sSYya &. g