The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1886-01-13
THE TERRITORIES.

standing II NO lOruA VI
other than that which Congress- has pro-
vided for it in it, chaotic state. 1t has NO
separate law-making body as v other
Territories. It is merely q dependency,
having a Governor and a few other officers
appointed by the President, who are merely
AGENTS of the Federal Government. Its
population only amounts to o 5,ooo'
including Indians. The Alaskians proper
are a distinct race of people from Indians.
They are generally educated in the elemen-
tary branches of common schooleducatlon'
and. AS a rule, are industrious and provl'
dent. living in permanent and substantial
houses, and are all self-sustaining. a
of them have accepted the Christian faith,
and have connected themselves with the
Greek, Presbyterian or Catholic Churches
As they are capable of being educated up
to the standard OF good, intelligent citizen
shin. Congress ought to confer upOd them
the rights, duties and penalties OF such.
The climate is much milder than is gener-
ally supposed, for up to the middle OF Oc-
tober last year there had been no frost,
and the previous winter, at Sitka, the
thermometer at no time fell lower thar
fourteen degrees below zero. This Terri
tory, in the neal future, will contribute
largely to the aggregate wealth andpros-
perity OF the Nation.
Arizona is the Oldest mining Territory IN
| the United States. Since 1876 this branch OF
industry has prospered almost without IN
t%erruption, checked only when the country
has been left to the mercy OF the Apaches.
! 1t is estimated that the value OF the entire
production of gold and silver and copper
for the year ended December 81, 1884, was
$~1O,512,016.
The population in 1884 was estimated at
80, 900 with property assessed at $27 ,OOO,-
600. The climate is an almost perpetual
summer. 1t is especially adapted to cattle
raising. Out of an area of LA, 900 square
miles, 60, 1000, or 38,4O0,OOO acres can be
utilized for grazing purposes. The Terri
tory's progress is prevented by the presence
OF Apache Indians, who ought to be EXTERN
mated or compelled to adopt civilized life.
Dakota has a population according to
the last census amounting to 416,OO0, and
there have been 5000, 900 acres of Govern
ment and railroad lands settled within her
borders. She boasts of 2,701 miles OF
railroad, and her mines produced last year
S., 900, 900 in precious metals. She spent
81, 800, 900 last year for educational pur-
poses. Thousands Of acres Of school lands
have been unlawfully settled upon. This
will lead to q great deal Of vexatious litiga-
ton in the culture. She owes $56S, 200. This
is a pretty heavy debt for a Territory to
carry.
Idaho has a population estimated at
7 $1,000, with an area OF territory covering
over 5000 square miles, or exceeding
IS, OOO, 900 acres. The lands are: Agri-
cultural, from 12,OOO,0 600 to Ii 5000, 900
acres; those which are reclaimable by irri-
CATION, from 10, O 900 to $4,000, 900
acres; natural grazing lands, 5000, 900
acres; timber lands, 10 1000, 900 acres; min
eral lands. about 5000, 900 acres, and the
mountain, desert and volcanic formation
lands may be safely estimated at 5 zoo, 900
acres.
The climate is OF a remarkably equable
temperature. Fruit Of every description
ripens and is OF the most luscious charac-
ter.
The mineral resources OF the Territory
constitute one of it's chief interests. From
the most reliable data at hand it appears
that there are now in the Territory over
two hundred mines which are paying divi-
dends. Rich placer mines are more extern
sive than ever. The copper and mica mines
are being successfully worked, and prove
to be very valuable.
Indians are somewhat troublesome, as
they are everywhere else, and ought to be
reduced to a state of docility. The Nor
mons are either removing from the Terri.
tory or discarding their surplus wives. The
Edmunds law is a perfect terror to the
adulterers.
Montana is our own Territory. The
assessed value OF property in the Territory |
Tor the year 1884 a $40, 976, 1907. 81, an
crease over the previous year Of S., OOO, 600
in round numbers. This assessment does |
not represent the full value of property in
the Territory, and does not include the
mines, which are worth many millions of
dollars. The population, according to re-
cent careful estimates, is about $780, 600.
more than sufficient to entitle her to ad-
mission into the Union as a sovereign |
State.
The numerous valleys OF the Territory |
are remarkably fertile, and, with proper
facilities for irrigation, wheat, oats, barley,
and all kinds OF vegetables, unsurpassed in
quality, are raised in abundance. As in
all mining countries, the price of labor is
high. The Territory is also distant from
the markets OF the world, and therefore the
lave attempted little more than
to supply the large home demand. Much
has attended the planting and cul-
t~ivation OF fruit trees.
Next to mining, stock-raising is the
and leading industry OF the Terri
tory. There are 100000 cattle, 10000
horses, and 10000 sheep.
During the past season rowing bands OF
Indians have committed numerous depre-
dations, killing cattle and running of
horses belonging to the stock-growers.
L HlS eAdSpeFdJl IL COuulJlOu Vi UnlnSS Will
until the Government takes de-
cided action to compel them to earn, by
their own industry, In honest livelihood.
The first agricultural land embracing an
area of As: 900 square miles, or 10000 900
acres, have been set apart for the red skins,
and yet they arenot happy.
From the reports OF railroad and mining
companies and s~tock-raising organizations
it is estimated that the total gross value
of the expectations Of silver, gold, copper,
lead, cattle, peltries and furs for the past
twelve months is $26, 400, 900.
Mines and mining caused the settlement
Of this Territory, and to these industries is
due the surprising increase of population
and prosperity. The mines employ thous-
ands OF men-the best paid labor in the
woodland make a home market for the
farmers Of the Territory. Since the dis
coyery of gold in this Territory in 1861
this industry las rapidly advanced, and
the yield during the past twelve months
al over 100000 900. OF this amount
$12, OOO,O 900 was silver.
New Mexico during the past year has en-
loved a condition of Increasing nrosneritv