The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-03-01
Arizona.

The gross injustice committed by the
Fifty-frst Congress In keeping New Mexico
and Arizona out Of the Union while it took
Idaho and Wyoming in. has been fully
demonstrated by the eleventh census
| Within few months after that legislation
was accomplished the count showed in New
Mexico $500 more people than in Idaho and
Wyoming combined. and In Arizona only
loss fewer than in Wyoming.
That New Mexico will be foremost to en-
ter the Union when tho doors arc next open
can hardly be doubted: but there are some
reasons why her neighbor Mt the Southwest
should be allowed to come in with her. Act
ing Governor MURPHY. in his annual re-
port. estimates the population OF Arizona
last year at 10000. This may be an exag-
geration. as 1t implies growth Of 10000 in
II twelvemonth: but we may at least as
sumo that tho Territory contains to-day a
larger population than that upon which
Wyoming was admitted year and half
ago. since an influx OF recent settlers from
Kansas is officially reported.
The taxable property OF Arizona is $685.
27O. 466. but there is misleading system in
vogue OF low valuation and high tax rates.
and the Governors report puts the prob
ablc value at $7O.OOO.OOO. The aggregate
debt. territorial, county. and town. amounts
to 81. 400. 900. which may be funded. under re-.
cent authority given by Congress. at five
per cent. in 5O-year bonds: and with State
hood there may come q chance Of favorably
placing these bonds.
Arizona's chief industry hitherto has been
that of mining. and its output Of gold. sill
yer. and copper reached $7.79l.272 for tho
last fiscal year. Recent discoveries include
onyx Of n superior quality in Yavapat and
Maricopa counties. Tho climate Is favora-
bic for stock raising. and the estimate is
that 800, 900 cattle and 1900 horses were ex-
ported during tho year. Nearly l.lOO miles
OF railroad are in operation and many hun
dred miles OF irrigatinG canals. There arc
vast areas OF undeveloped land. the I'M
surveyed tracts In the ella district alone
amounting to more than 10000 square
miles. The pine forests OF tho north aud
centre cover an area OF nearly 5000 square
miles, but the expense of transportation
does not allow tho timber to be marketed.
That Arizona rs whole Is ono OF the arid
portions Of the great West is we'll known:
yet all the more marvellous by contrast
seems tho fertility Of the arabic districts.
NIl NV WOO "oAsuJ VI HpVc JiIC
richness OF soil in tho areas which
have been reclaimed by artificial irrigation.
asln Maricopa county. where about 100000
acres have been made tillabe through an
average of n mile Of ditchng to u thousand
acres. The present condition OF Arizona's
products is summed up by Secretary No
BILE from the Governors report:
Oranges. lemons figs. rasins. and all tho other
fruits which are raised In southern California be
raised abundantly and they mature At least month
earlier than in California. Wheat. corn. Alfafa bar.
ley. peaches aprcots. grapes lines olives. and All
endless variety OF fruits attain great perfection In
parts OF the Territory. And It 10 stated that no
more favorable spot can be found upon the globe
for the growth OF citrus fruits than in Yuma
county. The hg and pomegranate indigenous
to the soil. For ripening and mellowing wines
the climate presents such conditions that tho
most exquisite flavor and bouquet are impaired Cot.
ton has been tried with satisfactory results Wild hemp
is indigenous to the country and grows nftesn and
seventeen feet It seeds itself annually and covers
stretch OF 100 square miles along the Colorado River
Rsme, sugar cane sorghum sugar beets. and peanuts
yield abundantly Vegetables garden stuns and melons
grow all the year round"
Recent researches. in fact. have shown
that vast population at one time lived In
Salt River Valley. carrying on agriculture
by means Of artificial irrigation. Perhaps
In that valley alone there were four or five
times as many people as In all Arizona to-
day. The absence OF fogs and rains In the
drying season Is specially favorable to
tho production OF raisins. MIR. MOBILES
predecessor had also noted among the
horticultural triumphs achieved In
region formerly described as desert, that
" Strawberries. raspberries. blackberrIes.
peaches rivalling those OF Delaware. apples
excelling those Of Oregon. better oranges.
lines. and lemons than those Of California.
dates that flourish as though upon their
native soil OF Arabia. all appear In the list
of Arizonas products"
The common school system Of the Terri
tory deserves a word OF mention. In the
census year there were 2l9 schools. with