The Dillon tribune., 1885-10-24
MCNTANA'S GREkTING.
The First NIontanian Governors Annual
Report. a

f1atsers ilrst report to the Hon. l.. q. G.. |
Lamar, Secretary of the Interior. 1t is
an able and business like document:
HELENA, NJ. T., October 10, 1855.
To the Hon. L. 2. C.. Lamar. Secretary
Of the Interior, Washington, d. C..-Sir:
Complying with your request OF August
-, 1855, have the honor to submit the
following suggestions and statements Of
the affairs and condition Of the Territory
Of Montana.
Having entered upon the discharge of
the duties of this office since the close OF
the fiscal year, am unable to do $50 far
As statistics are concerned) more than to
direct your attention 10 such matters as
can be CLEANED from the biennial reports
Of the Auditor and Treasurer Of the Ter
ritory. From these it appears that the
total assessment of property in the Terri
tory for the year 1854 amounted to $780,
976,oo7.o1, the same being an increase Of
S. 100000 lin round numbers) over the
previous wear. 1t should be remembered
that the assessment does not give the full
value of our property, and does not include
our mines, which are worth great many
millions.
POPULATION.
No census of the population OF the Ter
r;tory has been taken since 1880, at which
time it was 3o,137. AT present it can only
he estimated by the total vote cast at the
general election in November, 1884,, which,
as appears from the report Of the Auditor
and Treasurer, was 26,o69. From the
same official source it appears that at the
preceding general election Sthe total vote
cast in 1854, was 23,3rS. The increase has
been greatt~ during the past two yea's
than at any other period, and our popula.
ton may be fairly estimated at 100000 TO
| 10000.
AGRICULTURE.
The numerous valleys Of the Territory
are remarkably fertile, with proper facili-
ties for irrigation, yivlding large returns in
wheat, oats, barley, md all kinds Of vege-
tables, unsurpassed in quality. Owing to
the high price Of labor here, as in all min.
ing countries, and the great distance from
the markets Of the world ,our farmers have
been unable to compete successfully in for
,.ign markets with those Of Dakota on the
east and Washington and Oregon on the
west; consequently nothing more is at.
tempted than the supply Of the home de.
l ~A ,,hs~30 &e 1oern n1spsnU fhsa
number Of men employed in the mines.
In all those portions OF the Territory where
the necessary care and attention has been
given to the planting and cultivation OF
fruit trees it has been demonstrated tina,
the hardy varieties OF fruits of all kinds
can be successfully raised. Small fruits ol
all kinds succeed everywhere in the Ter.
ritory apd the yield is simply enormous.
INDIAN AEpREDAr1oNs.
Il l am advised from reliable sources tina,
during the past season numerous depreda
} tions have been committed upon the rights
Of stockmen by rowing bands Of Indians
who have been suffered to leave their res
ervations and to roam promiscuousl :,
through region of country where there
is absolutely no game, and where to >us
: tain life, these Indians have killed cattle
running upon the ranges, and in >evera
instances have run off the horses belonging
to the cattle men. This has been carried
have become greatly and justly exasper
ated. can but renew the request SO fire
quently made by my predecessors, tina
some such action be taken by your depart
ment as will result in restraining and con
fining these Indians upon their rescrva
} tions, which embrace an empire of the
fairest and best portion OF the Territory
and from which the whites are -igidlv cx
cluded.
RESERVATIONS.
From statistics furnished by the uni'cG
States Surveyor Generals office ior Mon
tana, it appears that three Indian rescrva
tions in this Territory embrace an area o
as,ooo square miles, including nearly 3o,
100000 acres of the finest agricultural
lands to be found on the Continent.
would earnestly urge upon your Depart
ment the necessity OF cutting down these
reservations to n size commensurate with
the needs OF the Indians. The greater
portion of these lands, so necessary for the
use of actual settlers, is OF no use what
ever to these Indians. Since the cStinc.
ton of the buffalo there is little or nc
game and but small portion, if any, OF
these lands are cultivated. Why no.