Communication from Dr. Franklin B. Hough, relative to the census.

Washington, February 5, 1869.
To the honorable committes of the Senate and House of Representatives upon the ninth census of the United States:

GENTLEMEN : Having enjoyed opportunities for studying the practical details of census sytems, and of observing the difficulties that attend the procuring of satisfactory returns, I deem it a privilage to submit a few remarks upon this subject, which, by the return of the period fixed by the Constitution, has come under your consideration.

In doing this I shall limit myself entirely to an examination of the imperfections of the present law, and to suggestions for its amendment, or rather for the substitution of a better one throughout, that shall embrace principles applicable to the present wants of the country, and the existing demands of science.

I shall more particularly consider questions relating to the methods for procuring facts for a full and correct census, as therein consist the chief difficulties to be encountered, and to remedy these will be the principal object of your legislation.

OBJECTIONS TO THE LAW OF 1850, NOW IN FORCE.

The act for taking the 7th and subsequent censuses passed in 1850, and in force until changed, contains certain provisions that I consider very objectionable and which demand an effectual remedy. In fact, without amendment, I do not believe, that with the changed conditions of our country, the law could now be enforced in a just and satisfactory manner. It may be well to briefly review its provisions, noticing the objections that may be raised against it in the order of their occurence.

REASONS WHY MARSHALS SHOULD NOT BE EMPLOYED.

The first section places the enumeration in the hands of the marshals of the district courts in the several States and Territories, In this it has followed the precedent of former census laws, which was borrowed from the colonial and early State customs of requiring the duty to be performed by sheriffs, constables, &c. The objections against this are as follows:

1. That the term "marshal" has in the minds of the lower classes of the population, become so associated with that of "provost marshal," and with memories of the enrollments and consriptions of the late war, that it would very probably lead to suspicions and jealousies, tending to impair, in a most serious degree, the accuracy of census returns.
2. The districts of marshals are very unequal in size, and the time of these officers is fully occupied with the duties proper to their offices...