Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1889-07-27
Washington Growing.

In 1880 Washington territory had a
population of $4,000. Its increase prior
to this had been moderate, but from
1880 to 1888, over seven years, its
growth has been rapid and large, the
population returned in 1887 being
143,669, an increase in seven years Of
$500. The increase of population the
present year has been SO much larger
than in any previous year that it is safe
to say that the population of Washing
ton territory is not less than 10000.
The territory contains thirty flour
counties, including the new county Of
Okanagan, created from the west part
of Stephens county by the Legislature,
and including the famous Conconully or
Salmon mining regions. OF those "a
counties, fifteen are on the east side. Of
the Cascade range of mountains, and the
remaining nineteen are on the west side,
all of which have resources, incident
to their localities, which are being de-
veloped.
The total assessed value of all the
real estate in the various counties of the
territory in 1887 was $28, 205, 658. and
this sum upon 100000 acres only; and
the total assessed value Of all personal
property the same year was $19,693,663.
This is an increase of over S., 693, O46 in
two years. OF course, with the large
increase Of population the present year
the totals are largely increased. Until
under the present law enacted at the last
session of the legislature, the only reve
nue. derived from the railroads of the
territory was that assessed upon their
gross earnings, and was paid directly
into the territorial treasury. Under the
present law the lands, rolling stock,
buildings, etc, are assessed, taxed and
collected in each county where such
property exists, the same as individual
property, which is likely to largely in
crease the revenue of the territory here
after.
The hardness with which the United
States government has caused the pub
lie lands to be surveyed has been a great
hinderance to their appropriation for
settlement In fact, the survey of pub
lie lands in Washington territory has
been far behind the tide of immigration.
Nevertheless there has been large in
crease of settlement upon the public
lands, but not within the past two years
equal to the influx Of people who desire
public land for occupancy. The general
government is the cause of this incon-
venience to immigrants by not fastening
the public surveys; in not allotting to
the Indians of the vast and rich reserya-
lions held by them in the territory, lands
in severalty, and opening the remaining
portions thereof for settlement, and
speedily disposing of any questions of
uncertainty that may exist in relation to
the title of the railroad company to the
public land granted to it. However,
there is some Incorporated unsurveyed
land yet, though some of it not so desir
able as others. For nearly three years
the general government has thus been
derelict in its regard to the public inter
est in this territory, and whether it will,
under the present administration, afford
the relief demanded is a question. The
total area of Washington territory is
44.796,16O acres, of which 21,164, 232
acres have been surveyed, leaving 3d.
631, 028 acres yet unsurveyed. Deduct
ing from the last number of acres about
100000 acres covered by the Cascade
and Olympic mountain ranges, of no
agricultural use, we have some 1861
928 acres of agricultural land yet to be
surveyed. And deducting still farther
some 4,O86,148 acres covered by Indian
reservations, and the settler has 12,545,-
no acres of agricultural land left upon
which to settle when surveyed.-Taeoma
Real Estate journal.