Bismarck weekly tribune., 1886-10-15

The general eastern RdVertlslng agenG. OF Lne
tribune Is A. F. Richardson, Room IS, Tribune
Building, New York. All advertisements for the
TRIBUNE from poi east of Illinois should be
sent to him.
GOVERNOR PIERCE's REPORT.
The following is a synopsis of Gov
ernor Pierce's annual report to the Sec
retary of the interior:
The governor begins by saying that Da-
kota is suffering in common with the rest
of the country from a greater or less busi-
ness prostration, and from the drouth which
injured the small grains. thereby lessening
the yield. The drouth was not general, but
local in its character, and it is difficult to
estimate correctly the shortage in the crops,
but it is safe to say that in wheat, oats and
barley it will be at least one-third, and he
fears more. The disappointment over this
failure is greatly modified by the fact that
farmers in all parts of the territory have
given much attention of late to raising cat
tie, and that where their grain products
have failed, they are enabled to fall back
npon their stock.
DEBT OF THE TERRITORY.
The bonded debt of the territory is the
same as at the last report namely, $56S, 200,
not half the amount authorized by the late
act of congress limiting the debt to be con-
tracted by the territories. The governor
thinks this Indebtedness is not likelyto reach
a much greater sum, and again takes occa-
sion to point to the fact that the bonds of
Dakota are certainly among the best secu-
rites offered in the market. The tax levied
for territorial purposes this year is but
two and four-tenths mills.
The action of congress in passing law
restricting territorial and municipal in
debtedness is highly commended. The
governor says II had occasion in
my last report to call the attention of
the honorable secretary of the interior to
the need of some such legislation, and have
been very much gratitied at the action of
the restriction proves temporary embar-
rassment, but the advantages will be felt
hereafter and the wisdom of the law vindi-
Gated. Indeed, can conceive of no
action of the national legislature so
conducive to the welfare, reputation, and
ultimate prosperity Of the territories Of the
United States as this wise prohibition
which serves as a constitutional barrier
against extravaganza, and that vicious
special legislation so liable to enter into the
government Of new countries"
~ l.a EDUCATION.
A large part Of the report lsFgiven up to
statements of the various territorial officers
regarding the respective workings of their
departments. The report of the superin-
tendent of public instruction is for the year
1886, but it exhibits very wonderful
growth in educational matters. There are
nearly 10000 children of school age in the
territory, and nearly 5000 teachers en-
ployed. There were 895 school houses built
during the year, and the whole number of
school houses, graded and ungraded, were
2,745. The value of permanent school prop
erty was $2,187 $50. The total receipts to
June 80, 1885, were $2,141, ,756.79, and the
total expenditures were 81, ,814,212.40.
In expenditures for public school pur-
poses Dakota is ahead of Arkan-
sas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware New
Hampshire, Rhode Island, West Virginia,
Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,
North Carolina, South Carolina. Vermont,
Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada,
these states do not spend half of the
amount paid by Dakota, and thirteen of
them have less number of public schools
than are supported by this territory. The
population to each school house in South
Dakota is 1872: in North Dakota POP. The
permanent school property of the territory
erty of fifteen of the states of the union.
The average wages paid school teachers is
$3476. AS showing the development of
the territory it is stated that in 1875 there
were only 5000 school children enumerated
in the whole territory, and only $S2,0 900 was
expended during that Se year ar for the support
and nearly two millions expended.
PENAL AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
The governors gives reports form the
superintendents of two hospitals for the in
sane, and from the wardens of two peni-
ftentiaries, showing the condition of the
prison, number of inmates, cost of main
tenance, etc. The average cost of subsis-
tence per convict, per head, is a little less
and a little over 21 cents in the prison at
Bismarck. n Is
IMMIGRATION.
The commissioner of immigration reports
$4,000 new filings under the general land
laws Of the territory divided as follows:
Homesteads, 7,466; pre- emption, 1884; tree
claims, 7oM: The area filed on during the
year was 1885, 1866 acres. There were 1862
final proofs made during the same period
Of which 6,567 were cash entries, 5000 final
homestead entries, and 275 timber culture
proofs. OF the cash entries there were 14O
( proofs made under the pre-emptiOn law and
15l7 commuted homesteads. The area ac-
guired by final proof and cash entry during
the year was 1.40403O acres, and that pur-
chased by land script 1886 acres.
The sales of land by the Northern Pacific
railroad company in North Dakota are es-
timated by the commissioner at 250, 900 acres
Tor the year ending June 30, 1885, generally
to settlers for agricultural purposes, The
different portions of the territory are esti-
mated at S5O.OOO acres making grand To-