The Guthrie Daily Leader

ASKING FOR THE CENSUS

Postmasters Asked to Furnish
Estimates of
Population

Wagoner, I. T., July 13.-Judge Joseph A. Gill, who is a member of the election commission for districting the Indian Territory division of the state of Oklahoma for the purposes of the election has been at work in this city for several days preparing notices and sending out to the postmasters in the northern district of the Indian Territory in an effort to determine the population of the townships in the northern district. The Judge believes this to be an effective way of finding out what the population is in each township in his district. The following is a copy of the circular letter he has sent to the postmasters in his district:

"Sir: As a member of the Board to apportion Indian Territory into population districts for the purpose of electing delegates to the proposed constitutional convention I desire to obtain from you the following information:

"Estimate of the population of your town.

"Estimate of the population of the township in which your town is situated.

"Estimate of the population of nine townships, the center of which is the township in which your town is situated."

"It is not expected that in making your estimate of population that you will give the same accurately, but it is thought that being familiar with your town and surrounding country and its population that you can in a measure, make a rough and approximately accurate estimate. Take a few days to consider and then give the very closest estimate you can, and this will satisfy the board."

"Use the enclosed blank for your answers and oblige, yours very truly,

JOSEPH A. GILL,

Member D. & C. Board."

From the replies received by Judge Gill to his circular letters sent out to the postmasters an estimate will be made of the population of the towns and townships, and as each man is also requested to estimate the population of nine townships, the Judge will have a check on the work of each man. After all the reports are in the estimates will be held open for a time to the inspection of the public and any apparent errors will be corrected.

By this method the work in the northern district will be completed in ten days.

Judge Clayton is using a different method in each recording district he appoints a local committee, from out of a mass meeting, which is empowered to appoint sub-committees and these are empowered to canvass the districts by townships. This is believed to be nearer a non-partisan plan than that adopted by Judge Gill.