Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1889-12-07
BOSTON RERUKED.

|
Under the Caption; Dakota Facts
VS.. Boston Fancies," the Minneapolis
Tribune publishes an article from ex-
Gov. Gilbert A. Pierce, which is worthy
OF republication. The Boston Adver-
tiser published statement to the ef
feet that since 1883 North Dakota
has been "falIing off," and that the
state had decreased in wealth Ind
population since that time. The
Tribune sent the article to ex-Gov-
ernor Pierce, VINO replied with facts
that will stun the bean.eating pre-
varlcators OF the Hub" Among
other things the governor says:
Well, let us see! Has it fallen off in
population?
In 1880 the population OF North
Dakota was 5000. In 1885, ISL
900; in 1889 taking as basis the
votes cast and using the same rate as
in 1884 and 1S8O) 100000.
In 1884 North Dakota cast 10000
votes. Last month, with many things
to keep the voters at home, she cast
fraction under 10000. So it is not
in population, certainly, that we have
been 'falling off"
How is it in production? II chou
sands of farms" have been deserted
since "a there ought certainly to be a
falling off in farm products.
In, y n1Ai =
the best estimates of the department
at Washington, Is, 100000 bushels OF
wheat. In 1885 the decimal showed
our product to be about 23,O0O,0OO.
In 1889 the returns of the territorial
statistician shows the crop to be 90
721, 900 bushels.
In 1885 the corn crop amounted TO
25S,OOO bushels. This year it is
1,O57,OOO. Although the crops of
1889 are much below the average,
there is an increase in the quantity of
wheat, scorn, oats, flax, buckwheat,
potatoes and indeed nearly every farm
product over that OF 1885, so there
has been no falling off here.
Take live stock
In 1885 there were $4,000 horses
in North Dakota. In 1889, 1O5, OO5.
Then there were 148,0OO head of cat
tie, now $4,000 head; then there
were $4,000 head OF sheep, now So
900; then there were $4,000 head of
hogs, now nearly $4,000.
But l need not resort to these de-
tails. The allegation is most strik-
ingly and sweepingly denied by the
official assessment rolls in the office Of
the auditor OF state. In 1888 the as
sessed valuation of property IN North
Dakota was about S3O,OO0,O0O. In
1889 it was $G7.OO0,O0O. If this is
"falling off" then many of our sister
states would be glad to join the pro-
cession OF retrograde.
| think it true, as this article de-
clares, that many claims have been
abandoned, but this is the experience
in all new countries. Indeed, read a
few days ago that 1000 farms had
been abandoned in the one state of
New Hampshire, but do not think it
likely that the state is going to the
dogs because of that. In new states
like this men come and men 60, but
every year adds to the number
permanent settlers, who come to stay
and who will stay and prosper
A state that increases in population
as has North Dakota, from 35, 200 in
1880 to 100000 (the lowest estlmate)
in 1889, and shows gain of over
$50, 100000 in same period, need not
be troubled about her record forprog-
ress. What we want is fair and intel
ligent treatment on the part of the
press, and a realization Of the fact
that this is vast country, and that
because g. few settlers have been un-
fortunate and are needy, it does not
follow that the whole state is on the
borders OF starvation. L will simply
add in reply to the paragraph declar.
ing that the towns in North Dakota
are "languishing" that while it is q
fact that some of the towns have been
"overbuilt," the auditors rolls for
this year show that the value of town
lots in the two Dakotas has increased
in twelve months nearly $2,500,00O.
"Our Boston colleagues" says the
Tribune. should hasten to copy this
letter. It will make excellent reading
for those who are accustomed to the
slow ways of the east, and the Adver-
tiser can thus partially atone tor its
gross misrepresentation of the condi-
ton OF affairs in North Dakota"