Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-09-23
GOV. MURPHY ON ARIZONA.
Elaborate Report to the Secretary III
the Interior.

the Interior.
An elaborate report has been submitted
to the Secretary of the Interior by N. o.
Murphy, the governor of the territory OF
Arizona. He gives an account at length
of the resources of the territory and a
outset the report says:
mo complete census has been taken since
1890. The population has increased very
rapidly within the last eight years, and
it is believed that the territory has now
nearly, if not quite, 100000 people.
Our citizens are true. honest Americans,
intensely loyal and patriotic. They enjoy
the proud distinction of being the first to
respond to their countrys call for volun-
teers for the war just closed. Arizona
very promptly rendered to the government
volunteers that, compared with our popu-
lation, in numbers far exceeded the ten
derS made by any other state or territory.
On Cuban soil, by their bravery and heroic
conduct, they won the admiration of all
Christendom. An Arizona flag was first
hofsted over the ramparts of the enemy
at Ell Caney, and many of the territorys
noble heroes sealed with their blood an
undying claim upon their countrys graft
tude. Their names and deeds will evoke
love and respect as long as the nations
history lives.
'Arizonas people, by their patriotism
and valor by their thrift and ability by
their loyalty to the republic, fealty to ma
tfonal principles, and every consideration
of true Americanism, have earned and won
ment. They all ask that which of right
should be granted-the admission of the
territory into the Union as state without
longer delay"
The recommendations for congressional
legislation and action of the Interior De-
partment arS as follows:
I'd That Arizona be admitted as a state
C2) That all the public lands within the
'err TIL he ceded to the territory or state.
"C0 That the military post of Whipple
barracks be established
% That reasonable sum be appro-
prfated for artesan well boring in the ter
ritory.
90 That a commission be appointed for
chronological and archaeological research in
the territory, and that a suitable appro-
priation by Congress be had therefor.
6) That the salaries of the federal
judges within the territory be increased
% That appropriation be had by Con-
sfess TO pay the governors and secretaries
OF territories the salaries allowed them by
law tSec. 1S45, Rev. Stat, 1879
(S) That the pay of members of the fer
rltorlal legislature be increased
The territory has the following assessed
taxable property: ;. 1873 $50 SO acres of tax
apie land, 80, s25, 566 II; improvem ents there
on. 95o.3G; city and town lots. s3s75-
"lo9o; improvements thereon 81 SIS 552 ~.
4o,lS5 horses, ST23, 112: ,:65 mules, 81 .02g-
o; $50 asses, $10,49S.50; 397 ,240 cattle.
Stlass o. % % S"'s6S sheep, s799,a36 1456S
goats, So, 1885, 1907 swine s24 .6o4 -: 9Sg 5e,S
miles railroad, s., Oh, $50 Il; all other prop
erty, 1927, 947.32; total, s31, 473, $50 96.
me average valuation is: Land. per acre
Sl.o6: horses, per head, s1S.24; mules per
mead, s22 %; cattle. per head s104I; goats
per head, 81; hogs, per head, 81 10: asses,
per head, $571; sheep, per head. 81; rail
roads per mile, SOL .02
~. IT VIII be seen from the above recapituia-
ton that values are very low. The valua
tlon of the personal and other property NOT
stated is correspondingly low, which when
considered in connection with the fact that
considerable portion of the property of
ARIZONA escapes assessment altogether ac-
counts for the apparent anomaly of condi-
tons in reference to the wealth debt and
taxes Of the territory
The rate of taxation differs in the differ
ent counties, but the average rate through
out Arizona for all purposes is about 81 40
on 800 50 cents of which, this year. is for
territorial purposes solely. Earnest effort
VIII be made to induce the next territorial
legislature, which will convene in January
1899, to so revise the revenue laws in refer
ence to the assessment and collection of
taxes as to substantially correct the faults
referred to.
The total debt is 81 63O .2Ss. of which
81 .633t2I is county and city funded debt
If 1t were possible to secure sufficient
financial help from the general govern
ment, to be expended under suitable regu-
latonS, to build canals and reservoirs for
the reclamation of the arid lands of the
west, and thereby rapidly develop and pop
uiate the now unoccupied and unproductive
sections, L would earnestly favor such a
plan; but experience has taught lis that
Congress will not appropriate large sums
OF money for such a purpose and the con-
stituents of the members of Congress from
the east and middle west do not want their
representatives to appropriate money for
which they will be taxed to bring into COM
petition with them large areas of new farm
lands; besides, any system which could
with propriety be adopted under the usual
governmental restrictions would be cum
bersome and difficult of operation 1 am
therefore firmly of the opinion that the
quickest. best and most satisfactory way
to secure the reclamation and occupancy
of the arid portions of the country is to
cede the lands to the states and territories
in which they lie, SO that the question of
disposition and development may be one for