New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-01
THE YOUNG GIANT, DAKOTA.

THE YOUNG GIANT, DAKOTA.
Some of the Democratic leaders seem to have
heard from the people. Mr.. Springer, who has
distinguished himself for years by using the
influence of his position as chairman OF the
House Committee on Territories to keep Da-
kota out of the Union. is now reported as say
ING that the bill admitting Washington, Mon
tana. Dakota and New Mexico will be passed
as soon as possible, but he still insists upon
taking in Dakota as one State. and intimates
that the desire Of the Senate to see the Ter
ritory divided may make trouble.
In fact, the injustice of the exclusion OF Da-
kota has become so glazing that not even the
Democratic leaders can persist in it any longer.
The latest report of the Governor, Just issued,
showed that the total of lands newly filed on
and purchased by immigrants for settlement
for the wear ending on the Both of June last
closely approximateS 2 800, 900 acres, or $500
square miles-twico the area Of Delaware That
is the rate at which this young giant is adding
to its stature year by year, and still it is de-
MED representation. 1t may be worth while to
90 back a little and trace its astonishing
growth. The census of 1860 showed pop
ulation of less than 5000 Ten years later it
was 14,181. The period Of its development
had not yet come. But in 1880 the population
was shown to be 1917, or an addition OF
$50 per cent to the population under the prevl-
GUS census That taken in 1885 showed
population of Al 5,610, a gain of more than
200 per cent in five years Since that time
there has been no official enumeration. but
estimates as to population are made by the
Commissioner of immigration, being based
upon the public land entries reported by the
ten United States land officers within the
Territory On this basis the population was
estimated in 1886 to be 10000; in 1887,
56S, Al; and this year, 640,s23. Adding to
these Indians, Government employees and other
inhabitants of the numerous Indian and mill
tary reservations, which occupy one-iifth of the
entire Territory, and the total number OF in
habitants approaches closely to 100000. But
without these classes the population is suf-
cient to entite them to four seats in the House
of Representatives.
In every department of enterprise the de-
velopment Of the Territory continues at so
rapid rate that the figures grow old before
they can be made public. During the last year
716 miles of completed track were added to
its railway system, making the total mileage
4,2O7. Only thirteen States in the Union have
a larger railway mileage. But it is in the
agricultural development Of the Territory that
the most astonishing results are seen. In 1860
less than / 900 bushels Of wheat were raised
there and in 1870 the crop had mounted only
to 1862 bushels, but in 1880 it had in
creased to 9 ,83O,289 bushels, and in 1880 to
38, 66,41 3 bushels. As to the crop of 1887
there is difference of opinion. The statis-
tician Of the National Department of Agn-
culture estimates 90 100000 bushels while
the Territory statistician claims 62,553,499.
Either estimate gives Dakota much larger
production of wheat than any State of the
Union. Something like the same development
is seen in the corn crop, which has increased
in two years from 7.800,593 bushels in 1885
to 24,511,726 bushels in 1872 larger crop
than that of Minnesota or Michigan.
But when we turn to consider the resources
of the Territory that are yet undeveloped its
majestic possibilities inspire a feeling almost
of awe. The vacant public lands, subject to
entry under the National Land laws, exceed
% 900, 600 acres, making area about as
large as the State Of Indiana Nearly every
acre of this enormous tract is declared TO be
as fertile, as easily titled and with as nutri
touS pasturage As the land already settled upon.
About 100000 acres are contained in In
dian reservations. The policy of the future
will no doubt be to break these up. giving
members Of the tribes allotments in severalty,
and sharing among them the proceeds OF the
sale of the remainder, thus opening another
vast domain to settlement. The portion of
the Territory settled upon and under cutiya-
ton is only fraction of that which lies await
ing the farmer and the stock-raiser The
mineral resources. which are known to be enor-
nous, have scarcely been touched. With more
railroads and sufficient capital their develop
ment promises immense results.
The prophecy that Dakota will some day be-
come the richest agricultural State in the Union
is by no means eXtravagant. It's continued ex-
clusion from The family Of States is a buresQue
upon the American system. The bill should
pass without delay, and by the Joint action Of
both parties, and the undOubted desire Of n
large majority Of the people for division of
the Territory should be respected.