Arizona weekly miner., 1875-01-08
WEEKLY ARIZONA MINER: PRESCOTT JANUARY S. 1s15

| to the Territory has been properly cared for and tie poor and exposed settlers have been rendered every assistance within his power. At the time the arms were first issued :here was insecurity over almost every foot ot the soil of Arizona. Many of our citizens were daily exposed to dangers without means to properly arm themselves. In this condition of affairs l adopted the rule of furnishing those with arms first who were most eN- posed. and second, those who were least able to purchase. believe in the main this rule was carried out, but in some instances men obtained possession of them who bartered them away or carried them out of the coun- try; but the arms and ammunition have been the means of doing much good. l addressed a letter to the chief ordnance officer at Washington, in 1873, asking for additional arms, and was informed by letter dated July 18th, 1873, that the Territory had overdrawn | its quota in the sum of s ,354.9I. and that the annual apportionment due the Territory was only about Sl GOO, so that it will be scv- eral wears before any arms are due Us. IL is quite necessary to have few stand of arms | in each of the counties, kept in some secure place. for use in emergencies, and hope that we may be able to obtain further credit for this purpose.
 |, TERRITORIAL FINANCEs.
 Y By the reports of the Auditor and Treas l urer, which will be laid before you with their ! respective statements, you will see that the I amount on hard and in the general fund, | December 3l, 1872, was SIG, 6,466 B, and the receipts since that time up to Dec. q, 1874, have been Sl9,721.53, making a total of | S36, ,lS7.S6. The disbursements from the general fund have been S27 ,S21.33, leaving a balance on hand in that fund of SS, ,360 5. The amount in the school fund Dec. 3l, 1872, was Sl ,l06.51, and the receipts since that | time to Dec 3l, 1874, have been S7.3S4.S0, making a total of SS,,9l.3l. The disburse- ments from the school fund up to Dec. 3l, 1871, aggregate SG,32+G6, leaving A balance in the school fund of $2,46G65
 The Territorial Treasurer has made ire quent demands upon the Treasurer of Mo have county for reports as required by law, and for the fnoney due from the county to the Territorial Treasury, but has failed to obtain either; therefore, in the receipts as | shown the amount due from MOhave county ! does not appear. Of the above di>burse- ments from the general fund, s ,S9S.50 was ! paid for per diem mileage and other expenses | of the last Legislature. The law of Con gress increasing the per diem of members and attaches prohibits, in the future, any ex- tra allowance being made by the Legislature | tOits own members or attaches; therefore, | in estimating the expenses of the Territorial government, but small portion of the above sum should be considered in the estimate. There vas also appropriated from the general fund and divided among the several counties, for school purposes, the sum of SG,500 The last Legislature reduced the rate of taxation for Territorial. purposes from 90 to ? ents on each Sl00 of the taxable property. This reduction, with the sum of Sl4, 4,39S.50, paid out as before stated for Legislative and school purposes, will account for the decrease in the amount on hand, as shown two years az
 It is a subject of pride that the Territory is out of debt and has surplus on hand. It is believed if proper economy be practiced the present rate of taxation will be sufficient to pay all current expenses. Complaints are made that some revenue is lost in conse- quence of property being personal and hence easily removed or disposed of, after assess ment, and before the time fixed by law for the collection of taxes. It is believed that a change in the law requiring collections on personal property at the time of as sessment unless the person assessed also owns real estate, would be advantageous.
 l believe that judicious tax upon ores sold or reduced would operate benetically. The capital to work our mines must neces- sarily, to great extent, be brought from abroad and the wealth taken from the mines, as consequence, will go back to those who furnish the capital. IL therefore appears but just that the Territory, wherein the mines are located and which gives protection to the property and invested capital, should receive fair proportion for the support of its gov ernment, and this method of taxation seems to be the most equitable one of accomplish ing the object. A similar tax has been levied for many years in the State of Nevada and all concerned acknowledge its justice. For detailed information 1 refer you to the ex- cellent and full reports of the Auditor and Treasurer Much credit is due these officers for the correct and efficient manner in which they have performed the duties devolying upon them.
 l CONCLCSroS- s4
 I have stated in brief such subjects and measures as seem to me will most urgently require your attention. 1 shall be pleased to cooperate with you in all measures that 1 will advance the nrosperity and happiness of