East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-03-21

The following entertaining histori- |
cal and statistical sketch of Oklaho-
ma is taken from an address by Hon.
Charles Dick of Ohio, which was de-
livered in congress preceding the ad-
mission of Oklahoma and Indian ter
ritories to statehood:
The $4,000, 600 acres of land in Ok
lahoma represent an agricultural in
vestment. exclusive of improvements
crops, or stock. of S2S2,OOO,OOO, said
Mr.. Dick. Adding to this the value
of implements. machinery and live
stock makes the total $3ls,1SO.9OS
as the figure of agricultural wealth of
the territory. All kinds of fruits are
raised successfully there, and in some
varieties the territory rivals the
world. The total assessed valu" s,on
of the territory for 1905 was 80 ,oSl
721 which is about one-fiN rss'isV',
was little over IN SSo eoo ana ~
1902 increased % $4,000 ooos
lhese II -ares show steady and
suos'a'i s -.al growth. Farm property
mere -dsea In assessed value from
! .so4 TO 1905 from $3O,O0O,OO tC
I sSS, 900, 400. IN recent years ther,
has been developed a gas and oil fielt
that rivals the great state of Penn
sylvaEia, with coal and mangaIes,
and asphalt beds and gypsum beds
granite quarries rivaling the grea
state of Vermont, and a magnificen
magnesium limestone rivaling tn
wonderful quarries Of New Bedford
Ind.
Railroad Mileage.
The railroad mileage in the terri
tory has moved forward by leaps an
bounds, and there are over 5000 mile
of track, exclusive of siding and righ
. of way in the territory. The yea
ending June 80, 1905, added 432.7
miles in new mileage. There ar
over $4,000 miles of toll line and tele
= phone wires in the two territories.
The newspapers published numbe
345, including 80 dailies. There is a
excellent state university, with built
ings and grounds worth about $3.50
600; a university preparatory scho'
and three state normal schools; a
agricultural and mechanical colleg
representing s250,000, and a colore
agricultural and normal school, a
supported more or less by the terri
tory. The total number of banks
the territory, which reported to II
bank commissioner, was 262 terr
torial banks and IS national bank
During the past year only one terr
torial bank and one national bar
failed, and in neither case was dolls
lost to the depositors.
The railroads are assessed for ia,
alton on their main lines from s56(
per mile down to $4,000 per mile, ar
less amounts on the more unimportal
lines and the various sidetracks ar
branches.
Oklahoma Has no Bonded Bebt.
Oklahoma has no bonded debt. n
vember 80, 1905, it had an outstan,
ing warrant Indebtedness of s735,24
On the same date the territori
treasurer had on hand $710,S42 cas-
and the school land leasing board ha
on hand s259,317, rentals of LEAST
lands not yet turned over to the trea
urer, leaving cash on hand over al
above all Indebtedness of $234,920.0
At this date practically none of Il
territorial taxes for the year 1905 hf
been collected, as they did not b
come payable until December 1 al
delinquent until the 18th day of ia
uary under the law.
Magnificent Endowment.
hac
of land reserved by acts of congre
for the support of the common schoo
of the new state, which is confirm'
to the state by this act as grant.
1t has 322,006 acres of land r
served for agricultural and mechar
cal college, university and norm
school purposes, which reservation
are confirmed to the state in this az
1t has 315,165 acres reserved f
public buildings and the erection
charitable and penal institution
which reservation is confirmed by til
act to the new state as a grant 1t HI
also cash on hand in the treasur
s43S,406, accumulation of rentals
the lands reserved for public bull
ing purposes, which 1t has not bet
authorized to expend and the accun
ulating rentals of which are beir
held by the territory for the use
the new state in furtherance of Il
purposes for which the land was r
served and granted. 1t is confident
believed that If these lands could
retained by the state, the rentals
the same would pay the interest on
sufficient amount of bonds to bui
all Of the state institutions whic
must necessa rily he located whom nj