The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-04-20
WHY CENSUS RELUCTANCE

""'N i'''i'cu tnc 1Ollowlng rath-
ct sarcastic letter on the census tax
ing IN Utah this year. It no doubt
seems amazing to one facing this sit
uatlon for the first time, TO sec so
much pothcr made about so simple a
matter. But there is a reason. which
we may briefly state. The letter is as
follows:
ra,,o salt Lake City. April l.. 1910
our fortune TO have lived I'm different
cities OF tho Union, and have also seen
something some OF their business methods; but
written. about taking the census as hero
IN salt Lake. In other places the CEN
sus takcr would ask a few easy and com
anonplaee nr'5 questions, and go on his way;
ana as Tar as we know the earth con
tlnued 10 turn on It's axis during the next
ten years IN just the same old way.
but mere In Salt Lake IL Is different |
In ono OF the city dallles of ADrII IN it |
Is suggested that an appeal over chb
names In the form of resolutions be given
70 the people. 10 excite interest and |
heep n,, INC punlic mind absorbed by census
problems" We are also Informed from
me same source that members of the
commercial club VIII accompany the emu
.hctator on his rounds, TO watch and see
the question arises. Who is going Inc
rounds TO watch the members of the
- Gommercial CLUB? and who. and what arc
The names OF the club whose gnncnI anS |
resolution Is supposed to cause so much
excitement among the common borIa |
are also told that the duty in Salt
axe is most imperative" Why In Sail
Lake any more than In other places2
IL makes one feel as II they were about
20 be tried for their life, and punish
lole oHense. II they fail. or decline to
,mSWer il,,V,si any question put 10 them by their
nquisitors. who. by the way, have been
lnder instructions for weeks and viii
loW S"oop down upon the unsusnoctino
lno uhprepared housewife and others, and
'Npcct quick and complete answer To
nelr questions. whether impcrtincnt or
'therWise. II was suggested that a usi
'i inc questions he printed and dis
ributed among the pcopln Ae nnna -
'een forthcoming we take the Iibcr,y 10
Isk YOU, Mr. Editor. to kindly publish In
ieNt sundays edition a list OF the nIIos-
IONS IONS 10 oG propounded to us. when that ,
-uguSt body invades our sanctum sac
Drum and oblige MANY READERS
so much Of this nervousness about d
'ctting proper census returns as civic !
rlde would show, is perfectly natural
20 much OF it as betrays anxiety for =
'ood showing in order that the pconle !
the several localities of the State
hall receive their proper representa-
lon IN congress and In the Legislature
founded on Justice. But there ia =
pec1al reason for the flutter In Utah
1t has always been a touchy prop.
'ition in Mormon households. especially .
polygamous households, to preserve in :
ne utmost secrecy the marital and :
arital offspring relations. Any inquiry =
nat would develop these has been BIT :,
'rly resented. a conspicuous example u
this was developed In the testi. VI
ony at Washington Of President Jo-
'ph +. Smith in the Smoot hearing -
efore the Senate Committee on Privi. -
ges and Elections, On being asked y
to the marital relations of SOME -
his associates, Mr.. Smith anprily
ssed out that he knew Rathing about - -
cm-he was no spy, In this he dis. -
osed the habit Of mind Of the trans 80
'essor of the law. His answer and -
sclaimer constituted confession Of
nit, an admission that those relations -,
ere criminal and must not be made ~,
lbhc. Senator Overman crushiugly re-. 49,
led that he knew the family relations oa
all his nelghbors. and their chill. -
en-, and he was no spy either. In ~,
is Mr.. Overman developed ,comnlets. =.
the difference between community -,
ing lawful lives in marriage, and a q,
immunity living lives Of criminalitv .o
thls relation. He represented the l.;
rmer. Smith represented the latter n,
1t is plain. then. why there should an
tins special uncasiness in Utah about do
census questions. These 90 right br
10 tabooed inquiries, into relation. ,e
lps which Smith declared that he /, :
'uld be spy if he inquired about vit
disclosed. And the feclino about TIL
IS matter is so strong in Mormon fa clo
hes that to be required to make tb,
swer where heretofore an inviolablo co,
cen OF secrecy has defended against an,
rusion, seems like tearing the very ba,
use down, and exposing every whit VIII
IL TO the gaze of those whose in. thc
sltive eye has always HERETOFORE pot
IN dcep offcnsc. IL only remains no