The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-03-05
WRONG VIEWS OF THE CENSUS
No Harm Can Come TO Any Person
Who Answers The Questions.

Washington, March 2.-Lettcrs
from the census supervisors to the
United states Census Bureau show
that erroneous apprehension of
considerable element of the popula-
tton that their answers TO the emu
merators' questions in the next cen
sus. beginning April -, this year. Will
cause increased taxation. legal en-
engagements, or Injurious conse-
quences to their persons and property.
IN order to quiet such unfounded
fears, which would, unless removed.
materially affect the accuracy Of the
census the bureau has prepared an Of
fetal statement relative to the decen-
nial census, its origin. purpose, and
uses.
This statement should furnish COM
plete assurance TO those concerned
that information given the enumera-
tors is held by the Census Bureau IN
the strictest confidence with refer
nee to the identity of the informants.
as required by the policy of the bu-
reau and commanded by the law Of
the United States.
The bureau earnestly hopes that
clergymen, priests, physicians, school
teachers, employers, and other public
spirited citizens who come in contact
with large numbers Of people will CO.
operate with the bureau by telling
persons who are believed to entertain
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 bv the bureau
explains that the Constitution REQUIRES
census of the population to be taken
every ten years in order to reapportion
state representation in the National
House of Representatives. 1t is the
means also to ascertain the increase
in the population, agriculture. indus
tries. and resources of the nation since
the last census.
1T is rmphatically declared, by the
statement, that the information sought
from the people Of the United States
is used solely for general statistical
purposes. 1t will neither be publish
ed nor used in any other way to dis
close facts regarding any individual
or enterprise. The census. it goes on
to say, IS not, never has been. and
can not be employed to obtain infor-
NATION that can be used in any way
in the assessment Of property for pur-
poses Of taxation or the collection Of
taxes. either national, state. or local:
or for deportation proceedings. cX-
tradition measures, army or navy
conscription, Observation-Disclosures
investigations compulsory schoo! at
tendance, child-labor law prosecutions,
quarantine regulations, or in any
way II affect the life. liberty. or pro-
p"rty Of any person.
1t points out that replies to the
enumorators are and must be held by
the Census Bureau in strict ana alb
solute confidence. All the bureau o1li-
cials, supervisors, supervisors clerks.
enumelators. ana interpreters. be-
fore entering upon their duties. arc
obliged to take solemn oath not to
disclose amy Information they may
obtain, except to the Census Bureau.
and violation Of the United states
law in regard to this oath means Il
81 oo0 fine or imprisonment for two
years. or both, in the discretion of
the court.