El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-11-21
Industrial and
Commercial.

NVllIIllVl SlQls
THE RESOURCES OF ARIZONA
As Given in the Governors Report.
The report of Gov. N. o. Murphy, of
Arizona, to the interior department
gives the following facts about the
territory:
No complete census has been taken
since 1890. The population has in
creased very rapidly within the last
eight years and it is believed
that the territory has nearly 1OO,-
grafton to thes territory insures q
high grade of citizenship. The great
and varied resources of Arizona invite
strong, courageous characters, who
come seeking investments and perma-
nent homes. Social and moral condi-
lions here compare favOrably with any
portion of the union.
The territory has the following as
sessed taxable property; 3, $50 sc
acres of taxable land, sc, 1926, 500. IL; inn
provements thereon 1856, 95O.37; city
and town lots, SO, 1916, 515. 20; improve.
ments thereon, 1888, 552 80; 40. 103
horses, 1928, 112: 1865 mules, $31 OPS. 80;
| 1910 asses, $40 ,498 so; 379, 240 cattle,
"a, 1853, 1854. 25; 399,96S sheep. S799, 936;
IA. 568 goats, 1929, 1876; 9O97 swine, S24,-
694. 25; $50. Sc miles OF railroad, 30, Olls-
6SO.77; all other properly, S5, 81, 947. 81;
total, $31 ,473. $50 90. The average va
lue lie: Land, per acre, S1.56; horses,
per head, $18 "a; mules, $22.73; cattle,
$40 Al; goats 81; hogs, 81 70; asses,
S6.77; sheep, 81; railroads per mile,
$5O71.02.
1t will be seen from this recapitula-
ton that values are very low. The
valuation of the personal and other
property not stated is corresponding
ly low, which, when conSidered in con-
nection with the fact that a consider
able portion of the property of Arizona
escapes assessment altogether. &C
counts for the apparent anomaly OF
conditions in reference to the wealth,
debt and taxes of the territory.
The rate of taxation differs in the
different counties, but the average rate
throughout Arizona for all purposes Is
about $3.50 on 500; 85c of which, this
year, is for territorial purposes solely
An earnest effort will be made to In
duce the next territorial legislature,
which will convene in January, 1899,
| to 80 revise the revenue laws in refer
ence to the assessment and COLLECTION
of taxes as to substantially correct the
faults referred to.
The agricultural development in
Arizona is rapidly giving stability to
our present population, which is In
marked contrast with the population
| of the territory ten years or more ago.
| Our population is fast becoming COM
munities. of homes and the nom adic
miner ia no longer the most Important
parsonage in our commonwealth. The
diversity of soil and climate is so
varied that great variety of crops
may be produced, varying from semi
tropical plants to plants usually grown
in colder portions of the temperate
zone. OF the arabic lands new under
cultivation, approximately 2SO, 900
valley ia of wide extent, practically
level and perfectly situated for irrigat-
ing on large scale from canals. Canals
at Yuma and elsewhere are now in
process sof construction, which, when
complete, will add materially to the
agricultural interests of the territory.
The live stock interests have been
greatly improved during the past few
years, largely through agricultural
development. Until recently all cattle
and other stock produced in the ter
ritory were grazed upon our 81, 900, OOC
to 40. 900, 900 acres of grazing lands
and sold .direct from the range. With
the development of irrigation and the
advent of mixed husbaudry much OF
our stock Is fattened on alfalfa,
sorghum and other products of the
farm, and placed upon the market at q
greatly increased weight and at q
higher price. Swine are fsttened on
growing alfalfa in Salt River valley
| and elsewhere in large numbers, q
little grain being fed prior to market
ing.
Although Arizona Is largely q graz
Ing territory, with many millions of
dollars invested in her stock, general
farming or mixed husbandry Is rapidly
taking an important place and at no
distant day will become the occupation
of q majority of our population.
Each year is adding largely to the
acreage and amount of wheat produced
in Arizona. AS it is largely a winter
and spring crop, maturing before the
extremely dry weather, and CORES
ponding scarcity of water, it is grown
extensively in many portions of the
territory. Large Touring mills at
Phoenix, Tempe and Tucson are sup
piled by Arizona grown wheat.
During the past year "a, 976 acres Of
land were taken up in Arizona, the
number of entries being 277.
The mining industry in the territory
is flourishing, several good strikes hav-
ing been made during the past year.
The number of Indians now in the
territory is placed at 1860. There
have been no outbreaks nor depreda-
tions by Indians within the year.
On the subject of statehood, Gov.
Murphy says: The Arizona people by
their patriotism and valor, by their
thrift and ability, by their 10y atty to
the republic, fealty to national prin-
clples and every consideration of true
Americanism, have earned and won
the inestimabie privilege of self-gov-
eminent. They all ask that which of
right should be granted-the admis-
sion of the territory into the union as
state without longer delay.