212 



History of the Neic York Census. 



In general, public roads, canals, rail roads, avenues, or in 

 cities and villages, streets, would be the most convenient 

 lines. Parts of two towns or wards, or other districts 

 whose population should be kept separate, should never 

 be assigned to the same enumerator, and great care should 

 be taken that the whole area of the state be once and only 

 once covered by the districts temporarily established. 



The most serious obstacle that lies in the way of a full 

 census the coming year, will be found in the suspicion 

 among ignorant persons, that the enumerations may have 

 connection with some military enrolment for a draft, or 

 for some plan of taxation. 1 



The only remedy against this must depend upon the 

 most positive assurances from official sources, that this 

 census is in no manner caused by, or ordered with refer- 

 ence to the existing war. — but that it is taken under a 

 requirement of the constitution that has existed since the 

 revolution, and that it has for its pecuniary object the 

 obtaining of data for the reapportionment of representa- 

 tion in the legislature. It may in full truth and sincerity 

 be affirmed, that the census is in no sense of the word an 

 appraisal for purposes of taxation, and that it is taken 

 entirely under state authority and for the purpose of af- 

 fording'correct information that may tend to an equal and 

 intelligent administration of our state laws. 



The agents heretofore employed in taking the census 

 have usually been called marshals. As this term has come 



1 It -will be remembered that when this paper was read, and when the 

 instructions and blanks of the census of 1865 were prepared and printed, 

 a draft for half a million of men was impending on the loyal states. For- 

 tunately the war terminated before the census began, or otherwise there 

 would have been found a prohibitory feeling against it, from its supposed 

 connection with the draft. The greatest difficulty that was subsequently 

 met arose from this cause, as the more ignorant classes were still jealous 

 of inquiries so similar to those which had impressed terror upon the popu- 

 lar masses, and which had led in our great cities to the most fearful riots 

 on record. 



