The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-10-13
TERRITORY OF DAKOTA.
THE GOVERNORS ANNUAL RE-
PORT 10 THE
Secretary of the InteriOr-The Con-
ditiOn of Business and
the Crops.

WARRINGTON, October IL The Hon.
Gilbert A. Pierce, Governor of Dakota
territory, in his annual report to the
Secretary OF the Interior, says; Tne
year has not been altogether az pos.
porous as was desired, Dakota suffer
ing in common with the rest of the
country from more or less business
prostration, and from the droutb,
which injured the small grains, there
by materially lessening the yield. The
drouth was not general, however, but
loca in its character, some parts of the
Territory showing large yields while
in others the failure las almost COM
plete. 1t is difficult to estimate cor
rectly tue shortage ia the crops over
last year, but it is safe to say that in
wheat and oats it will be al least one
third, and fear more. Flax, rye and
barley also suffer, but to what extent
it is impossible to say. The yield OF
potatoes and other roots will probably
be near up to the average. Cattle in-
dusty has developed very rapidly
during the year in other parts OF the
Territory. 1t has been supposed that
the large cattle ranches must be con-
fined to the western part of the Ter
ritory, where the abundant grass and
limited snowfall enable cattle to grszs
during the winter months. Late ex-
periments have demonsti ated, how
ever, that Gait e raising can be protta-
bly, pursued even in the extreme
northern part OF the Territory, and the
result has been the establishment Of
large cattle ranches in various Gee
tons. The bonded debt of the Terri.
tory remains the same as one year
ago, namely, $5eS,200. The assess
ment of 1885 shows an increase over
1885 OF about $24,000,000, making the
total assessment for the year Of about
$l30,000,000. The tax for the Terrific
rial purposes for the year 1886 is but
2.4-l0 mills. The total county indebt-
edness OF the Territory, bonded and
fl ,ating, is a little over $780,
coo. School statistics for the last
year have not yet been received, but
there is no doubt but the remarkable
progress shown during the fiscal year
of 1885 is continued. On the subject
OF the drouth and development of the
Territory the Governor quotes at
length from the report OF the Com
missioner of immigration, which says:
There were 22,43l new filings on the
public lands during the year under
The three general land laws, divided
as follows: Homsteads, 1866; prs
emptions, 1894, and tree claims, 707l.
The AREA newly fled on during the
year was 1856, 1865 acres. There were
1862 final proofs made during the
year. The sales of land by the North
ern Pacific Railroad Company during
the year are estimated at 25,000,0C0
acres. The total increase in popula-
ton OF the Territory for the year is
estimated at $4,000, giving Dakota
population on June 80, 1885, of fully
100000. The railroad building
of 1856 bids fair to be much
greater than for any previous
year in the history Of the Territory"
The Governor estimates the total con-
stluction Of railroads in the Territory
for 1856 at 800 miles. In conclusion,
the Governor discusses the kubjec! Of
the admission of Dakota into the
Union, and adds: Il renew my recon-
mendation most earnestly, that this
great people be no longer kept from
their rightful heritage, but be per-
mitted share and voice in that Gov
eminent they honor by their public
spirit and sustain by their industry"