Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-03
CLOSE CALL ON CENSUS|
BILL NARROWLY ESCAPES BE-
ING RECOMMITTED.
Attempt to Penalize Enumerators
Who Ask Political Questions.
Lively Partisan Fight.

The Crumpdckcf DILL amending INC CELL
sus law in a minor particular, occupied
the attention Of the House all day yes
terday. and necessitated a call of the roll.
just before adjournment. to save it from
being recommitted to the census COM
mittee with an amendment providing
heavy punishment for any enumerator
who asked official questions concerning
the political faith of citizens of the Unit
ed States. Partisan charges and counter
charges added life and interest to the de-
bate.
The Crumpacker bill amends the census
law so to require an enumeration OF
cattle slaughtered and hides produced
in country Strengthening houses, and the
collection of information concerning irri-
gated lands.
letter purporting to have been writ
ten by Representative Grow of Missouri.
republican. telling one of his constit
uents that. should he be appointed a
census enumeration, he would have to
record the relative strength OF ''insur-
gent and regular republicans, was read
by Representative Robinson of Arkan-
sas, a democrat The letter was in the
form Of newspaper clipping, and con-
tanned the statement that the work the
census enumerators would have to do
NOuId Dc SUCH dS ally eHlIuSidSllt re-
publican will be glad to do. and will not
in any way conflict with your duty as an
enumerator.
Chance to Refuse Job.
1t also stated that this extra work
would be outlined to the candidate before
his appointment. SO that he need not ac-
cept the appointment If he did not desire
to do what would be asked Of him.
Still reading from the letter. Mr.. Rob
inson quoted statement to the effect
that tine writer wanted to know whether
the voters were 'insurgents or regulars.
and whether their disaffection was great
enough to take them out of the party al
together
Representative Bartholdt Of Missouri,
calling attention to the absence of Mr..
Crow, said he spoke for himself only. and
not for the appointing power Of the CEN
sus
thorize no man to give such Instructions
said Mr.. BarthOldt. "He wrote that let
ter without authority. He merely exceed
ed his authority in representing the adj
ministrati ton
ION this side We care little about your
rows as a rule" cried Representative
Clayton of Alabama, but we do think
you should be fair to your own party
brethren
Representative Booher of Missouri of
fered an amendment imposing a fine of
ST 600 or imprisonment for one year on
any census employe who should ask any
person any question relating to his poll
tics.
Disagreed With Taft.
While Representative keifer of Ohio
was speaking of the non-partisan charac-
ter of the census takers Representative
Helm of Alabama interrupted to ask
whether he would appoint negroes to
enumerate the white people of the south
If he could do so.
"If they were as well qualified as the
whites l would" replied Mr.. keifer.
Then the gentleman does not follow
the president, when he said he would not
appoint negroes in the south?' asked Mr..
Helm.
II do not understand that he said that.
and if he said 1t, he ought not to have
done So" retorted Mr.. Keifer. amid APP
plause on the republican side.
The bill was saved from recommittal by
vote of 80 to 119 and was passed with
out division at O'Clock, when the House
adjourned.
Crow Assumes Responsibility.
Assuming entire responsibility for his
letter read in the House yesterday con-
corning the appointment of census SUI
pervsors in his district, Representative
Crow of Missouri rose to question
of personal privilege today to state that
the letter expressed his sentiments eX-
actly He charged that the democrats
had .'gerrymandered" his district to make
it democratic, and he did not regret hav-
ing written that he would recommend
for appointment only those who would
agree to obtain information concerning
the political views of the people in the
district.
'.They had been voting every man. dead
or alive, and to make good measure they
had voted the names Of horses and dogs
there" said Mr.. Crow.