The Miller sun. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 190?-19??, 1904-08-24

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The assessment returns sent 10 the
state auditor at Pierre by tbs counties
show great variations in valuations aud
generally that the assessors failed TO
find as much live stock for this rear as
they did for last year. The returns show
1855 3 horses Of ali ages in the state,
which is a reduction Of over 1900 bead
from last year. The prices set Ga this
class Of stock were widely at variance,
those under 3 years old being paaoed. at
SI.73 per head in Aurora County and up
to 1888 in Bonhomme. In the adjoiD-
ing county Of Hutchinson the variance
was almost as great, that county putting
them at $S.37. On horses over 3 years
old, Aurora called them worth xlg.6o,
and the range was from that to $SA94
in Potter, The total number Of cattle
Of all ages returned in the state was l.
363, 1863, reduction of 21,414 from last
year. This class of stock under 2 years
of age ranged from $4.10 in Aurora 10
$500 in Meade. After they had passed
the 2-year-old mark they increased from
$50 in Douglass to SIT in Lake. The
number Of sheep found by the assessors
decreased LIZA, the returns showing
4S7 ,523 to have been discovered, while
the valuation ranged from 81 in Aurora
to $2.26 in Bonhomme. Hogs showed
themselves to be more prolific than any
other dass of stock for the year, increas-
ing 59,SS4 in number in the state for the
year, probably on account Of the larger
acreage devoted to corn, the total num-
Der returned being 3S9,028. The valua-
tons OH this class of stock ranging from
S1.1S in Hand to $3.14 in FAN River.
Taken altogether the assessment list Is o
poor proposition on which to base what
the state is doing in the way Of material
welfare. With over $30,000,000 depos-
its in the banks of the state a little over
100000 is reported, while in other prop-
erty the ration is not much better.
South Dakota should take pride hs the
fact that the levy of / mill for the bond
interest and sinking fund, which was lew
led by the state board, will practically
wipe put the bonded indebtedness OF the
state. While the state general fxnd Is
chronically short, and several times each
year the need Of registering warrants
comes to that fund, the sinking fund has
always been in shape to not only meet
aocruing bonded Indebtedness, bat to take
up time loans before they became due.
The state treasurers, with one exception.
have handled the funds carefully and 20
he best interests OF the state, and have
taken up a large number Of bonds before
they have become due, securing their
surrender, though in most cases reluc-
family from the holders. So long al the
present farcical assessment values are
continued by the assessors Of the state,
the general FUND is likely to run short at
any time, and force the registration OF
warrants, and often Of funding bonds to
to take up outstanding warrants to re-
duce the interest charges. If the valua-
tons were returned even within 80 per
cent Of tnc actual velue of property the
general fund would keep pace with the
needs Of the state
Great things are expected by the Black
Hills people from the visit Of James
Wilson, secretary of agriculture, who is
at Deadwood from Washington investi-
eating the mining and timber matters.
Secretary Wilson made a short address
before the business mems club in Dead
wood. He had spent a day in the Home
stake mine and at Bald Mountain view
ing the resources of the mining districts.
He made the statement, which Is ex-
tremely gratifying to the mining men Of
the Hills, that he thought the miner
ought to have as much assistance from
the government for experiment work al
the farmer. His trip through the mines
showed him that there was great room
for improvement in every branch Of the
mining work. 1t was inferred from his
statement that he is in favor Of a bu-
reau of mining, supported by the govern
ment, which is SO greatly desired by the
mining people of the country.
The land Office in Pierre did not look
for my great amount Of business last
month. as all interest in land matters
appeared to be centered on the Rosebud
land lottery. But, regardless Of that att
traction, the Office received III filings,
taking out Of the market %, 800 acres or
over a township of land. Many OF those
who filed were among those who had
registered for the Rosebud drawing, but
after seeing the number OF claimants,
and looking over this section Of the state,
decided that they could do better by filing
at Pierre than by taking their chances.
Since the Rosebud drawing Is completed
every day brings new land seekers to
Pierre and the record Of this month
promises to be much larger than that Of
last month.