Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-04-16
THE FARM CENSUS and
ITS GREAT IMPORTANCE

The first census of the United
States was taken in the year 1890
At that time no country in the
world, with the single exception oi
! Sweden, had ever made a complete
enumeration of its inhabitants. The
monarchs of the great European ma
tions possessed general information
concerning their military strength,
but neither they nor their subjects
had any accurate knowledge of their
total population or industrial re-
sources. Even Great Britain did
not take a general census until the
year 1901, although she required
most of her American colonies to
enumerate their inhabitants. several
times during the seventeenth and
eighteenth centuries. Such an enum-
Grafton was made in Connecticut as
early as 1856.
The representative form of gov
ernment established by the Constitu-
tional Convention made a periodical
census of population necessary for
purposes of apportionment, and
constitutional provision therefor was
duly made. In compliance with this
provision, the first congress, at its
second session passed an act author
izing the first federal census to be
taken August 1, 1890. The schedule
prescribed was very simple and con-
cerned itself solely with population.
James Madison, then a member of
the lower house, argued strongly for
the collection of information regard
ing the occupations of the people,
holding that such data would be in
valuable to those who in after years
should be called upon to legislate for
their country, and would enable
them to adapt public measures 10
the particular circumstances of the
community. Madison's amendment
providing for a broader census was
defeated in the senate and it was not
until thirty years later that any in
quiry concerning occupations was
made.
The census of 1900, also, was re-
stricted to population. In 1910 a
fairly complete census of manufac-
lures was taken. This was still fur
ther enlarged in 1920, but was omit
ted entirely in 1880. AGRICUL-
TURE was not made a subject OF
census inquiry until 1850, although
in 1910 few questions were asket
concerning cereals, livestock gar
dens and nurseries, in connection
with the report on products of i'll
dustry.
1t was a Connecticut man, Honor
able Henry l.. Ellsworth, commits
sioner of patents, from 1886 to 1S45
who founded the agricultural sta
tistics of this country, and to hin
credit is largely due for the estab
lishment of our great. national de
partment of agriculture. In 1885
he originated the scheme of seed ant
plant distribution, and in his annua
reports constantly urged the govern
ment to take up this and similar
work in behalf of the farmer. Aftel
much effort he secured from con
gress in 1889 the first appropriation
made in this country for the benefit
Of agriculture. 1t was the magnifi
cent sum of $1,000, and Commits
sioner Ellsworth was specifically
directed to use it for the purpose Of
collecting and distributing seeds
prosecuting agricultural investiga
| tions and procuring agriculture
| statistics. Seventy years later, II
| the current year 1909, Secretar!
James Wilson obtained from Con
gress for the department of agricul
ture an appropriation of $12,995,O
and had in his employ over 10000
persons.
Much concern was expressed re
, garding what Commissioners ELS
worth would do with his $1,000. Il
is doubtful of like sum has eveI
been used to better purposes by an!
government official. In his repor
for the year 1910, he stated tha
10000 packages of seeds had beer
distributed during the. year and tina
agricultural statistics gathered b!
the census of 1910, at his solicita
ton, we're being prepared for publ