La Junta tribune., 1916-08-12
FORTY YEARS OF PROGRESS.
Colorado'S Wonderful Record During
the Forty Years That Have
Elapsed Since Its Birth.

held in Denver August lst, when we
celebrated our fortieth anniversary
as a sovereign state, Governor Am
mons delivered wonderful address,
which is one of the most complete
records of the progress made by this
state since IL was admitted to the
union in 1876 that was ever publish
ed. You will surely be convinced that
it is privilege to live in Colorado
after you read it. In part 1t is as
follows:
Colorado was admitted to the un-
ion of states just forty years ago to-
day. The progress made during
these four decades of its history can
well be illustrated by comparison of
conditions then and now.
The population probably did not
far exceed .00O-though a great
deal more was claimed during the
campaign for statehood. The CEN
sus of 1870 returned less than 40,-
0O0 and for a while the number rap
idly increased. The two years pre-
ceding our admission the territory
and suffered from the effects of the
financial panic of 1873. business was
depressed. investments curtailed and
immigration slackened, while crops
were greatly reduced by the grass
hopper plague. General Frank Hall
estimated that In 1876 there were
not to exceed 10000 people in the
city of Denver. Today there are
more than 100000 people in the
state and the population of Denver
is twenty-five times that OF the year
We were admitted, The state start
ed on its career without money even
to pay the expenses OF its constitu-
uonal convention or its first legisla-
ture, though the demands of both
we're very modest A recent legisia-
ture had made total appropriations
amounting to $4,000 and had been
severely criticised for extravgance.
Thissi of State Taxshle. I
At the time OF our admission we
had less than 2 per cent of our ter
ritory decided and on the tax rolls
and less than ! per cent materially
improved. Now third of the state
is taxable and 10 per cent of our
lands well improved. Our assessed
valuation was less than $4,000, 900.
Today the assessed valuation IL ST.
ESQ. o.000.O 900. or more than twenty
five times as great as In 1876. while
recent government publication fix
rs the total value OF all the property
IN the state at $500, 100000. In
his inaugural address Governor
Routt estimated the first years rev.
"nue from taxation at S65, 900. a sum
less than one-fifth OF the amount
collected in inheritance tax from one
estate the present year. He said
there were back taxes due of $4,000
and that while obligations had been
Incurred to the amount of 100000.
there would be the munificent bal
ance of $4,000 left on which 10 run
the state government the first year.
A single educational institution
spends more than five times M much
money annually as was provided for
the entire expenses OF the state IT'S
first year.
During the year of '76 the total
production Of the state from mine.
mill, farm and range amounted TO
but 100000. 900. The finished steel
product of the Colorado Fuel and
Iron company's plant at Pueblo this
year will equal the entire production
Of 1876. This years sugar output
will be twice as great, live stock
three times as great. minerals two
and one-half times as great and az.
ricultnre more than five times as
much,
AZ the beginning. mining was the
main industry and gave the stat. It's
greatest impetus. The rirzt year OF
statehood the mines produced So.
100000. This year their product
viii probably be In excess of ss0.-
100000. Ten millions tons OF coal
were produced In the last year.
In 1877 there were $50 miles OF
railroad. consisting largely OF long
stretches Of line across unproductive
prairie country. with n total assessed
valuation Of little more than -. .000.-
900. Since that time new lines have
been built and old ones spread out
over the state until In 1915 We had
$500 miles OF railway with nm as.
sesscd valuation OF Si73.o0o. 900.
and a total gross income OF $50. 600.
900.
Colorado schools.