Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-24
OKlAHOMA'S PROGRESS
Interesting Facts From the Annual Report
of Gov. Renfrow.
Population and Property Valuations
In the Territory-lts Resources aud
Agricultural Development.

Gov. VIM. c. Renfrow of Oklahoma ter
ritory has submitted his annual report to
the Secretary of the Interior. The general
conditions of the territory he sums up In
| the following:
"Oklahomas progress has been steady
and rapid ever since the 2ai of April 1SS,
Capital has not as yet sought investment
TO any great extent i'm Oklahoma, but there
has been a real and substantial increase In
wealth from the almost unlimited natura !
resources Of the territory, ami il now fur
nishes one of the best fields for capital in
the nited states. Every step that is made
is fundamental, and to the present inhab-
itants is consigned trust the faithful ex-
ecution of which will largely determine the
happiness and prosperity OF many gener-
atoms to come. The enterprise Of the peo-
PIE mas always been a matter of remark
among strangers. But at the original open
ing of Oklahoma proper and at the open
ing of the Cherokee Strip the world beheld
the strange sight of city of loo0o inhabi-
tants built in day and territory of g. 100
square miles settled in one-half day. Many
OF the farms are already in a high state
of cultivation
Population and Property.
Reports by county clerks TO the territorial
auditor on February ], 1884, showed the
population to be 2i2, 2,G35. but Gov. Renfrow
now estimates 1t at 100000. The taxable
valuation Of the territory is SIa,D47 922. The
assessed valuation of the railroad prop arty
Is Sl3JO.592. The value of the Western
Union telegraph property is $lo.62G. The re
are hfty-sx banks in the territory six ma
tiOnal banks and iifty private banks. Many
OF the private banks have very small capi-
tai, but others ara doing a good business.
All of the national banks are prosperous and
sound The warrants issued by the territory
a l 10 - e Sob
So, l95 have been redeemed Taxes are now
due to redeem about half of he balance, but
there still remains balance against the
territory of S4l, lS5 Public schools flourish
The school population amounts to 1881
and there has been eNpended 81, ,2il for their
education ouS of The territorial fund. III. re
are, besides the Territorial University, the
Normal School and Agricultural College.
The territory mas no penal institutions or
public buildings except those used for COL
leSes. The rents for pubic offices, the gov
eInor says. are ruinous, and he has urged
thS erection Of buildings and court honses in
the various counties. Gov. Renfrow dis
cussing the resources OF the territory and
its agricultural development, says:
Agricultural Development.
Agriculture is the principal occupation
OF the people Of Oklahoma. Almost every
quarter section has an occupant. There
are many fine farms, AMI as well improved
as one would want to see. 1t is difficult to
realize as you pass through the territory
that only hve years ago the coyo,e and deer
held their native sway
All kinds Of agricultural products grow in
Oklahoma, and stock raising is I'm a rapid
stage of development. Manufacturing has
been but little developed. There are strong
indications of valuable mineral deposits, al
though Congress has declared the land nom
mineral There are also surface indications
OF cCal, gas and OIL
The governor says the territory has made
rapid Advancement in social and religious
phases. The Indians IN Oklahoma are wei!
To dc and are adopting the Ways of ciyili-
zation.
Probably the most important part of Gov
Renfrows report is devoted to statehood
and the admission of Oklahoma and Indian
territory as one state. He says:
The question of statehood fer Oklahoma
has been much agitated and the people
are divided on the question. Some desire
statehood for Oklahoma with its present
boundaries; others prefer TO have the mat
ter of statehood deferred until such time
as Oklahoma and the Indian territory may
be admitted as one state. There are many
conditions and many intricate problems
entering into the matter which must be
carefully considered in order to arrive at
a correct conclusion. AS separate states
neither Oklahoma nor the Indian territory
would rank among the great western states
either in extent OF wealth. Together they
would be equal to the greatest, and, in my
opinion, the finest state west OF the Mis-
siSSippL'