The National Republican

Board of Police.—A special meeting of the Board was held yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock to consider the request of Professor Barnard, Commissioner of Education, to have the census of the District, authorized by Congress, taken by members of the Metropolitan Police, no appropriation having been made for taking the same, and the police organization being well adapted for the purpose. It is proposed that a circular, one side having a printed list of questions to be answered by any member of the household, and the other side directions for answering them, be distributed by the police, one to each tenement. The circular will contain a request that the questions shall be answered by a certain day, at which time they will be collected and compiled, and the population of the District in the aggregate, and by wards and squares, announced the next day.

The questions to be answered will show the population, white and black; their names and ages, both resident and temporarily sojourning: those owning or renting; the number of families in the house, if there be more than one; the number of children attending public or private schools, with their ages; the number not attending school; the material in the construction and the condition of tenement houses, with the matters of interest necessary to make a census that will be of the greatest importance to the Bureau of Education, the police force and the citizens of the District. It is expected that it will be completed in detail in the space of one month from the receipt of the information. The Board instructed the superintendent to co-operate with Professor Barnard in the fullest manner. His Honor Mayor Wallach has taken a deep interest in this matter, and the City Councils have made an appropriation to aid in carrying it out. It is understood that the Mayor will, in connection with Mayor Welch, of Georgetown, and Dr. Nichols, president of the Levy Court, make an official public announcement to the citizens of the District, to give aid and co-operation to the object, by promptly and carefully answering the questions in the circular, and having them ready by the time appointed for their collection. It is also expected that the city press will give their aid by the publication of such information as will make residents thoroughly aware of the time and manner of giving the information. It is also hoped that each family that shall receive a circular will promptly and correctly answer the questions. Where they cannot read or write it is expected that they will call in some neighbor who can.