The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-03-16
WRONG VIEWS OF The CENSUS.
No Harm Can Come To Any Person VIII
Answer The Questions.

Washington D. c. March 2, 1910.
Letters from the census supervisors to
the United States Ceneus Bureau show the
erroneous apprehension OF considerable
element Of the population that their ans
wers to the enumerators' questions In the
next census, beginning April 15, this year,
will cause increased taxation, legal en-
tanglements, or injurious consequences
to their persons and propety.
In order to quiet such uefounded fears,
which would, unless removed, materially
affect the accuracy of the census, the bu-
reau has prepared an official statement
relative to the decennial census, it's origin,
purpose, and uses.
This statement should furnish complete
assurance to those concerned that infor-
nation given the enumerators is held by
the Census Bureau in the strictest conf
dence with reference to the identity OF
the informants, as required by the policy
Of the bureau and commanded by the law
of the United States.
The bureau earnestly hope clergymen,
priests, physicians, school-teachers, en-
ployers, and other public-spirited citizens
who come in contact with large numbers
Of people, will cooperate with the bureau
by telling persons who are believed to en-
tertain erroneous opinions OF the census
the real facts and urging them to give
full replies to the enumerators. Teachers
are particularly requested to speak of the
census to the school children and ask them
to tell their parents about it.
The statement issued by the bureau ex-
plains that the Constitution requires GEN.
sus of the population to he taken every
ten years in order to reapporton state
representation in the National House Of
Re 'resentatives. 1t is the means also 70
ascertain the increase in the population,
agriculture, industries, and resources OF
the nation since the last census.
1t is emphatically declared, by the state
ment, that the information sought from
the people of the United States is used
solely for general statistical purposes. 1t
will neither be published nor used IN any
other way to disclose facts regarding any
individual or enterprise. The census, 1t
goes on to say, is not, never has been. and
can not be employed to obtain informa-
tion that can be used in any in the as
sessment of property fer purposes OF
taxation or the collection Of taxes, either
national, state, or local; or for deporta-
tion proceedings, extradition measures,
army or navy CONSUMPTION, interral-re9-
nue. investigations, compulsory school
attendance, child-abor law prosecutions,
quarantine regulations, OF in any way to
affect the life, liberty, or property OF any
person.
It points out that replies to the emu
merators are and must be held by the
Census Bureau in strict and absolute conf
dence. All the bureau officials, supervisors
clerks, enumerators, and Interpreters, be-
fore entering upon their. duties, are
obliged to take solemn oath not to dis
close any information they may obtain,
except to the Census Bureau, and viola,
tion Of the United States law In regard
to this oath means a $1,000 fine or I'M
prisonment for two years, or both, In the
discretion Of the court.