The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-01-15
MESSAGE OF
OKLAHOMA
GOVERNOR
Conditions in Territory are
Discussed
IN VERY hDLE MANNER
Recommends Changes and
Points Gut Faults.
The governors message. in its most i'm

The governors message. in its most i'm
pOTIant parts, follows:
ITO the Seventh Legislative Assembly
Gentlemen: The story Of Oklahoma, -
those UnacQainted with her marvellous
growth and unprecedented Development.
must sound like a fairy tale. ! simple
recital of the facts N her brief history
would he classed more readily, by those
uninitiated into the mystery Of her enter
prise and progress, among the stories of
an enchanted land than among the piain,
Unembeliished nara tives of the birth and
advancement Of a commonwealth
st sunrise on the morning of April y,
1SS9, Oklahoma vas practically uninhabl-
ted. Today her pOUiation s, on fair
estimate. SIX hundred thousand. Accord
5ag to he assessors returns for 1892 the
population was five hundred and forty
one thousand, four hundred and eighty, an
increase Of one hundred and 1fty-three
thousand, one hundred and forty-nine
over the returns Of 1891 But the rapid
rate Of increase shown by a comparison
between the returns of 1891 and 1892 would
indicate a population at this time of at
least six hundred thousand.
''The assessed valuation of the Territory
IS 81. .6!7,425- THIS amount represents only
about one-fourth OF the real value of the
property VIXEN estimated on a cash basis
assessed on cash basis. the value
would be not far from S510, 10000.
For 4 detailed review of the magnif-
cent and wonderful development made by
our Territory during the past year. and
for statement setting forth many i'm
portant facts relative TO the prosperous
conditions now existing, I have the honor
10 call your attention to my report to the
Honorable Secretary Of the Interior for
the year ending June 80, 1852, copies Of
which are submitted for your considera-
fion. That report reveals a condition of
things throughout the Territory which
must be very gratifying 10 the people
who have made a great commonwealth
out OF beautiful Oklahoma, the wonder
and of the Southwest.
1T will show that pts public schools
were taught during the past year, with
an aggregate enrolment OF 1851 and that
the sum Of $502,2777.65 was paid TO teachers
There were 1892 pupils graduated from the
common schools. There was apportoned
the sum Of 1861 1914 among the various
counties as a territorial common school
fund
The higher institutions OF learning
offer superior advantages to the young
people of our enterprising Territoy. These
schools are doing good work and are
REMARKABLY well patronized.
THE people of Oklahoma are building
Wen. The foundation which they have
placed for the future state has education
for its chief cornerstone.
There were I,4I5.23 miles of railroad
returned for taxation in March. This
embraced main track and IN addition there
were l7S.55 miles of side track returned.
Over 500 miles of railroad have been COM
plcted in The Territory during the pas.
year and hundreds Of miles more will be
CnnlTfnrNH iT1p ha
The citizens of Oklahoma are intel
Nsent and prosperous and justly proud
of the magnificent Territory which they
have developed, Reference is made here
TO the prevailing conditions simply to call
your attention 10 the greatness of the
commonwI alth and to the enterprise of
the people in whose interest you are called
upon 10 legislate
Each department Of the Territorial
government has submitted a report. COW
ering the period required by law. showing
IN detil the work done in the past and the
conditions prevailing at this time. These
reports ere transmitted TO you in printed
form aud YOU are respectfully requested
- make a careful examination Of the
work in every branch of the adminstra-
ton.
AUDITORS REPORT
The Auditors report shows healthy
Conditions of affairs. The Territorial
finances are in excellent condition The
amount Of money IN the Territorial trea-
suTy on November so. 1880. was SS4S.S3oai;
money received from all sources for the
YEAR, ending November 50. 1891. was S5o9.-
aSo41: the warrants redeemed during the
Year ending November 30 1901. were s4es.-
ea5.96. leaving balance OF $395. .72475 for
.--e year.
The amount OF money received during
the year ending November 50. 1892 was
So, .6l9.CS: the warrants redeemed during
the year were SIS. .ot611. leaving 4 balance
November 3D. l9ce, of S54S.S.7.33. The war
rants above referred 10 are those whoch
were redeemed during tho period some
being issued two years before the date OF
redemption
Warrants issued fer the year endins.
November %. 1871. were S42l. .531. 90: for the