The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1907-03-07
Governor Devine Made Splendid Ad-
dress 1t Great Meeting at Bismarck
Last Week--New Facts Which
Will Be a Sure Cure for
EASTERN Pessimists

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in q great country and in great
state. Our growth has been 50
rapid, the movement 20 swift,
that the character Of our progress
is beyond the comprehension Of
the slower, more conservative
section of the country both east
and west Of us. Our population
is increasing 50 rapidly, the
movement in moral, financial and
civic growth is way and ahead
faster and better than in perhaps!
any Of the states ever admitted
into the Union within the same,
period Of time. It is not the OK
cart, but the automobile; not the
side-hill plow, but the steam
plow; not steam, but electricity.
The demand for land in this
state of ours must grow in spite
Of temporary drawbacks, and
grow rapidly with every passing
year, and the price Of that land
will increase as rapidly because
the extent of good valuable farm
land is lessening even more rap
idly. Think of it! After eigh-
teen years of statehood, we to-
day point to the remarkable fact
Of an assessed valuation of $780,
600, 900, with a total value Of all
property Of more than a billion
dollars. We have 5000 school
houses, 5000 and 10000 pupils
We expend more than 81, ,500,0 900
to maintain our common school
system Of education, and this all
backed up by permanent school
fund that in twenty years will
reach the magnificent sum of
$4,000, 900. We have more than
800 state and national banks, and
all Of them prosperous; popula-
tion that has increased in ten
years from 100000 to 100000,
and this rapid increase in popu-
lation could continue for forty
years and still the broad prairies
of this state would sustain them
all and keep them prosperous and
happy with industry and frugal
ity on the part Of the citizen.
Take the per capita value of one
crop, that of 1906. The direct
and indirect product Of the soil
gave us $357.12 for every man,
woman and child within our bor-
ders. That is a greater sum than
can be shown by any other state,
and, mark you, this sum was
more equitably distributed among
our people than could be possible
in any state east or west of us.
But my subject is the New
Northwest. By that / assume is
meant Bottineau, McHenry,
Ward, Williams and Mckenzie
counties, having within their
boundaries the greatest stretch
Of rich, productive, rolling prairie
land to be found within this rich,
productive state.
This new northwest portion
of the state holds and sustains a
population Of 1900 people that
are prosperous, happy and con-
tented; contains 24O miles of riv-
er valley with 60, 600 acres Of the
richest soil that the SIN ever
shown upon.
Il live in the county of Ward
within this new Northwest that
eight years ago had a population
of 5000 people. To-day it has a
population Of IS, 900. Eight years
ago its assessed valuation was
less than 81, ,000,0 900. to-day it has
$14, 600. 900. Eight years ago it
had 40 schools, to-day it has $40,
with an expenditure for these
schools during 1905 of $24O, 600.
Eight years ago there was very
little farm land taken under the
act, to-day it has all been taken
and there is practically o'good
farming land left for the home
steader in this northwest portion
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