, 1875-10-15
two4undred and ffty miIIionfeet
MINERAL RESOURCES

MINERAL RESOURCES.
Our coal interests are rapidly
becoming an important element in
our prosperity. Until recently,
the opinion was very generally
entertained that the coal of WASH
ingten Territory was of an infe-
rior quality, and that it could not
successfully be placed in compe-
titfon with other coal found on
the Pacific coast. Late discoye-
ries have shown the fallacy of
these opinions and the existence Of
inexhaustible supplies of anthrs-
cite and bituminous coal, of excel
lent quality. The location of
many of these coal fields, particu-
larly those of King and Pierce
counties, several miles distant
from Puget Sound will retard, for
a period, their full development;
but when means of transport are
provided to tide water, the value
of our coal expectations will be-
fore many years exceed all others.
THE PENIrENTIARY. ~ "
The terms and conditions upon
which Territorial conYicts can be
sent to the penitentiary on Mo,
Neil's Island, is as follows: The
Territory must enter into a con-
tract with the United States, pro-
viding for the payment by the
former to the latter Of q per diem
of one dollar and a half, for the
confinement food, clothing and
medical attendance of each. Terri.
torial prisoner, to be paid monthly
at the close of each month; the
duration of the contract to be
limited to one year subject to re-
newaL The expense to the Ter
ritory under these terms, viii be
little Il any greater than under
the present system. A per diem
Of one dollar, or in case the pfis-
oner is put to labor, two dollars, is
now paid for keeping and subsis-
tence only. In addition to this,
the Territory now pays for medi-
cal attendance and clothing of
prisoners, for their recapture in
the event of Microscope, and sun
dry other incidental matters.
These, with the per diem now al
lowed, in my opinion, win be equal
to the amount per diem charged
by the United States, which in
cludes expenses of every nature.
An additional reason for their CON
6nement in the penitentiary is the
comparative security which will
result therefrom. This is owing
chiefly to the insecure character
of the county jails, wk;ch, without
exception, are unfit for the pur-
poses for which they are used.
PUBLIC LANDS, & 1n
The total area of Washington
Territory is 44,7se,16 acres, of
which 11,70O, ,952 acres have been.
surveyed. During the two years
ending June 30, 1875, there have.
been surveyed S,213,l4l acres Of
public lands and 264, 4,144 acres of
Indian reservations. There is
comparatively little public land
obtainable by direct purchase
from the General Government.
No lands have been offered for
sale by the United States since
1868, and the settled policy now
appears to be, to dispose of the
public lands only to homestead
and presumption settlers. If this
policy had been adopted several
years since, before 50 large por-
ton of the public domain had been
donated to railroad companies,
the best interest OF this and future
generations would have been ma
terially promoted.
The future of our Territory can
not be doubtful. With our agri-
cultural advantages, our CONNER
cial and manufacturing facilities
and our mineral resources, we can
confidently predict certain and
steady advancement in wealth and
population.
Discoursing music blowing
vour own horn.