The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1883-09-21
Condition of New Mexico.


secretary of the interior a report of
the condition of the territory of New
Mexico, and such suggestions as he
deemed timely and proper for its i'm
provement. The report states that
during the past two years there have
been no hostile demonstrations on the
part of the savages in the territory,
and there is no fear of any at present,
the preparations to suppress any, If
made, being ample. Attention is called
to the fact that the desperate and
thieving element has substantially dis
appeared and life and property is COM
paratively safe from their depre-
dations. The militia companies, thirty
in number, are complimented for the
services rendered and the court and
court officials are referred as abun-
dainty able to administer and execute
the laws.
In 1881 the taxable property of the
territory as shown by the assessors re-
turns amounted to $14,0SS,554; in 1882
1T advanced to $2O,441,29 and in 1888
to $27,137,9O3. Except the Atlantic
Il Pacific, all the railroads in the terri
tory are exempt from taxation for a
period of six years from completion,
and none have been completed for so
long time. The taxable value of the
railroads now in New Mexico is fully
fifteen million dollars. The taxable
value of the property In the territory is
much greater than that shown by the
assessors returns. and if the assessors
had exercised proper vigilance and care
in listing property, | believe the
am mounts, instead of being only twenty
seven million dollars, would have
reached fifty million.
On the subject of the land report
says there are 100000 acres of land
adapted to the production Of fruits,
vegetables and cereals, and water is
and sufficient for purposes
IF irrigation. These lands are highly
productive and expensive to cultivate.
Wheat of the finest quality can be
raised with facility, and in sufficient
quantity to supply half million of
people, and fruit and vegetables for a
There are lands enough when devel-
)ped to the fullest capacity to sustain
i've million cattle, five million sheep,
md enough horses and mules to carry
)n the business of the country.
The greatest wealth of the territory
les in its minerals. These comprise
yold. silver, copper, iron, lead. zinc and
,oal is abundant. There has been COM
little prospecting. yet miner
Ills are found in every part of the terri
,ory. and In many localities of great
'ichness. Development has been slight
Ind reduction works are few, though
ecently greater impetus Is manifest
ID. 1t is impracticable to attempt to
ecure accurate statistics as to the min
raj output, as quantities of ore are
hipped to Arizona, Colorado and else
where for reduction. Mining men feel
ontident, and | concur with them, that
n very few years New Mexic0 will
tand in the front rank for mineral pro-
uction.
Some progress has been made in the
obstruction of railroads. The Allan
ic s. Pacific Is finished across the Colo
ado river, which furnishes an ad-
itional connection with the Pacific
oast. A narrow guage road has been
from Deming to Silver City,
n Grant county, distance of forty
* miles; another from Lordsburg, on
he Southern Pacific, to Clifton, Ari-
ona. thirty miles of which are in New
lexico; and still another is partly con-
tructed from Santa Fe to Espanola,
distance of thirty-four miles, and con-
ects with the Denver and Rio Grande.
)ther lines are projected and some are
eng surveyed with view to speedy |
A mining country as
luch as any other needs railroads, and |
am confident that at no. distant day
lew Mexico will be amply supplied.
The present population is estimated
10000, of whom three-fourths are
atives. The finances are reported to
good condition, and the gratifying
5atement made that at the end of the
ear the territory will be out of debt,
nd will have respectable surplus on
and. E vii effects are growing out of
lie existing system, or lack of system,
/ the laws and government, and the
elief is expressed that time and ex-
erience are necessary to remedy tile
elects.
The creates want of New Mexico is
proper school system. In fact there
no system embracing the entire ter
tory that is uniform or effective. A
w passed at the last session of the
gislature authorizes the establish
ent of charitable schools for the care,
and education of indi-
ent orphan children. The execution of
lis law and the management of these