The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-12-18


to the secretary of the interior, for
the fiscal year ended June 80 last.
Excluding Indians who number 2S,-
000, a population of 1O5. 900 with an an
nual growth of 5000 is claimed. The
market value of all property in thc,
territory is estimated at $100000,000.
The number of acres Of land returned
for taxation is given at 3,S49,774. There
are 326.25S cattle, 415,964 sheep, and
43,010 horses assessed. Railroads to
the aggregate of 500 miles are taxed,
and there are 462 miles of railroad
exempt from taxation for a term Of
years. The net Indebtedness of the
territory, bonded and floating. is
stated to be S1,010,S50.
The public schools of the territory
are in a flourishing condition. There
are nearly 21,O0O school children be-
tween the ages of 6 and 49, The edu-
cation of all children is compulsory,
under the law, and there is hardly
hamlet, however remote, which does
not enjoy ample school facilities. Only
teachers of the best ability are en-
ployed and they are we'll paid. The
average monthly salary of male teach
ers is $14.1J; of female teachers. $63.A0.
The school revenues for the year
amounted to $421,776.15, raised by pub
lie taxation. All the schools are free,
from the primary department 10 the
excellent territorial university which
is maintained. The undeveloped re-
sources of Arizona in precious metals.
agriculture, horticulture, grazing, and
timber, mineral springs, hot springs.
and nearly every natural product
known to commerce, make the terri
tory one of the wealthiest subdivisions
of the Union. and insures its future
as a great and prosperous state. The
value of one years mineral produce
tions exceeds $4,000. .00G. Arizona has
the largest unbroken pine forest In
the United States. covering an area OF
over 5000 square miles. The timber Is
usually found at an altitude between
$500 and $500 feet. The total guam
tity of pine timber fit for saving
purposes within the boundaries of tho
territory amounts to 10000, 100000 feet,
which can supply the needs of a popu-
lous state for more than Il century.
Some large forest reserves have been
created in northern Arizona and rules
promulgated for their regulation, with
Il view to their preservation from
spoliation and to prevent destruction
by fire.
The governor reports that notwitr-
standing the drought from which Arl-
zona suffered during the year, the con-
dition of all industries in the territory
is prosperous. Since June 30, 1899. tho
territorial banks have been increase
100 per cent. in number, and there has
been an increase in bank deposits OF
81 per cent. Seventy-four miles of
railroad have been constructed during
the year, and Il number of new lines
have been surveyed and are projected
Upon this showing is based an elo-
quent claim to statehood.
The cremating of six young lady stu
dents in the Fredona Normal school
death trap, when fire. escapes were ar
ranged in Il manner to make egress i'm
possible, should be lesson in the way
of preventing future casualties of like
nature. Are all of the buildings in
Scranton, where large numbers congre-
gate to work, sleep or study, properly
provided with means of escape in case
of panic? This is good time to think
1t over.