REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF ARIZONA. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT ARIZONA TERRITORY, SIR: In response to your letter of September 17, 1884, I have the honor to submit the following brief statement of the affairs of this Territory, and to suggest for the consideration of Congress such action upon various subjects as seems to me important and necessary to the best interests of the Territory at this time: During the year which has transpired since my last report was rendered to your office, in September, 1883, the affairs of the Territory have been in a high degree prosperous. Our population has been steadily increasing; the development of our material wealth embraced in mining, grazing, and agriculture has shown marked advancement; our border relations have been harmonious; the annoyances of government have been lessened; there has been absolute freedom from the depredations of hostile savages, which in previous years have been such a menance to the progress of our civilization; and although the lawless elements of society peculiar to advanced frontiers have in several instances during the year committed deeds of exceptional atrocity within the boundaries of Arizona, the outlaws have in most cases expiated their crimes by the severest penalties known to the law, and the civil officers of the Territory are to be congratulated upon the general success which has attended their efforts in maintaining order and improved social conditions. Our industries have improved with development, although the prod uct of our mines has been considerably less for the past year than for the preceding twelve months. Several large bullion-producing properties have been lying idle a considerable portion of the year, owing, it is stated, to the heavy expense of operating, high transportation rates, and a depreciation in the grade of the ore being treated. While the ores of Arizona are undoubtedly of a higher average grade than those of Colorado or other localities with which comparisons can be made, the expense of mining, and especially of transportation, is much greater. These obstacles, however, are being steadily reduced, and all things being equal, her marvelous mineral deposits will soon enable Arizona to rank first among the bullion-producing States and Territories of the Union. This is evident from the rapid progress the Territory has made in this direction since the disturbing influences peculiar to its remote position and unsettled civilization have been comparatively overcome. The principal mines at Tombstone, Cochise County, suspended operations May 1, 1884, the owners declaring their inability to pay more than $3 per day to miners, and the miners refusing to work for less than $1. These differences and the discussion over the proposed reduction grew into such proportions during the summer that rioting and bloodshed were feared when the mine-owners proposed to resume operations with men employed at reduced rates. The local civil officers, feeling incapable of maintaining order, appealed to the executive of the Territory for assistance, and during my absence from the Territory Acting Governor H. M. Van Arman responded by calling upon the Secretary of War for aid, as the Territorial militia were not available. Two companies of regular troops were promptly ordered from Fort Huachuca to the scene of threatened disturbance, and happily all trouble was averted. Harmony was soon restored, the troops returned to their station, and the mines have continued in peaceful and prosperous operation since. GRAZING. The grazing interests of the Territory have largely increased during the last year; quite extensive importations of improved breeds of cattle and horses have been made into Arizona, attracted by the unequaled advantages to be found here for the stock-owner in the mildness of the climate, the extensive ranges, the nutritious grasses, and the small amount of care required by the stock. There has been an entire absence of epidemic diseases among cattle and horses in this Territory, and the percentage of loss per year is stated to be about 3 per cent., being less than any other portion of the United States. Much of the 60,000 square miles of grazing land in Arizona, though bountifully covered with rich grasses, cannot be utilized at present for grazing purposes on account of the absence of water. It is believed, however, that this drawback can be largely, if not almost completely, remedied by the introduction of artesian water. In fact, where the experiment has been tried, in Sulphur Spring Valley, Cochise County, the result is most satisfactory, "sufficient water having been obtained in this way to water at least 30,000 cattle, besides affording sufficient irrigation to maintain the gardens that a population attending to this stock would require, and perhaps tree plantations for the relief of stock from sun and wind." (Vide report of commission appointed to examine and report upon artesian wells in Sulphur Spring Valley.) The importance of this question of obtaining water by artesian-well process throughout the Territory where superficial streams are not sufficient to maintain stock, much less for agricultural purposes, is apparent. Should all of the grazing land in the Territory be made available in this way it is estimated that there would be ample pasturage for 5,000,000 cattle. There are now in the Territory about 300,000 head of stock, with probably good pasturage, under present conditions, for 1,000,000 more. During the prevalence of the Texas cattle fever last summer much apprehension was felt among stock men that the disease might be communicated to the cattle of this Territory, and the question of establishing a quarantine against the admission of cattle from Texas was raised. The acting governor, at the earnest request of prominent cattle men, issued a proclamation interdicting the admission of Texas cattle into the Territory for a limited period, thereby relieving the apprehension of contagion. Upon examining this subject I find no provision of law covering such a question, and I would respectfully invite the attention of Congress to this matter, and suggest that authority of law be provided for estab lishing in the Territories quarantine restrictions, should similar need arise. AGRICULTURE. The agricultural advantages of Arizona are, I think, generally underestimated abroad. There is no more productive soil in America than is to be found in the valleys of Arizona, and it is believed that a greater variety of productions can be raised here than elsewhere in the United States, providing water can be had for irrigation. Not only does the soil produce fine crops of cereals, but fruits of all kinds, and vegetables of the finest quality. The yield per acre of wheat and barley is from 25 to 35 bushels, and after this is harvested, corn can be planted on the same ground and a fine crop raised the same season. Apples, peaches, pears, plums, figs, quinces, apricots, and nearly every other variety of fruit yield largely. Lemons, oranges, and olives can be raised with profit, and finer grapes cannot be produced anywhere. Sugar-cane and cotton have also been grown successfully. In the valleys of Salt River and Gila River alone there are 400,000 acres which can be brought under cultivation, although less than 50,000 acres are now being made productive. The principal lands now under cultivation in the Territory are confined to the two valleys above named and the valleys of the Verde, Santa Cruz, and San Pedro. Yet there are numerous fertile valleys throughout the Territory in every direction where considerable farming is done, among which may be named the Sulphur Spring and San Simon Valleys, in Cochise County; Williamson, Peeples, Chino, Agua Fria, Skull, Kirkland, and Walnut Grove Valleys, in Yavapai County; the valley of the Little Colorado, in Apache County; and the fertile bottom lands of the Colorado and Lower Gila, in Yuma County. Although most of the farming lands of Arizona are confined to the valleys and the bottom lands of the principal rivers, there are millions of acres among the hills and on the plains which could be made very productive if there was sufficient water for irrigation. Irrigation is necessary to insure good crops in nearly every locality, although in a few of the northern valleys the sub-irrigation is sufficient from the rainfall during the wet season. Latterly special attention has been given to irrigation propositions. In the Salt River Valley an immense canal is being constructed which will convey water enough, it is claimed, to reclaim at least 100,000 acres, besides furnishing motive power for an immense amount of machinery. With the 35,000 acres already under cultivation, when this canal is ready for use, which it is expected to be early in the spring of 1885, this valley will present as valuable and productive an acreage of farming land as any area of equal extent in America. The possibilities for the immigrant in this and the adjacent valley of the Gila are wonderful. Land can be had reasonably cheap; "that which has not been improved can be bad at from $5 to $10 per acre; improved land from $15 to $30 per acre, according to the character of soil and location. This price includes a water right sufficient for cropraising." (Hamilton's Resources of Arizona.) In connection with agricultural pursuits hog-fattening and pork-packing bids fair to become ere long an exceedingly profitable business. But little work is required in fattening; the hogs run on the alfalfa fields and keep in good order until the grain is harvested, and they are then turned upon the grain stubble-fields to complete the process of more than eight times the size of Maryland, and nine times the size of Massachusetts. It will thus be seen that both as to population and area North and South Dakota more than fill the measure hitherto required as a condition for the admission of a new State into the Union. But if the Territory presents qualifications as regards population and geographical area, it is no less fortunate in the character of its inhabitants and the nature of its soil. Dakota is the great granary of the continent. Her product, not alone of wheat, but of all the important cereals, is enormous. Her people are not raw and unused to self-government, but citizens who have served an apprenticeship in the older States, and are not only fitted by character and experience for the duties of citizenship, but fairly entitled to its privileges by all the principles and traditions of the Government. There is something incongruous in keeping half a million of people, comprising the most independent if not the richest agricultural class in the world, and who, with all the disadvantages of a Territorial condition, have reared schools and colleges, churches, and other public institutions, which compare in design, finish, and general conduct and discipline with States half a century old, in a condition of practical vassalage. DIVISION OF THE TERRITORY. The sentiment in favor of division is practically unanimous; but very few in either section of the Territory oppose it. Whether this desire is wise or unwise is not a question it seems necessary to discuss; whether it will disappear under the effect of a closer acquaintance and relationship, engendered and promoted by the various lines of railway north and south, and now being built or surveyed, is a probability or contingency that can be estimated by others as well as myself; but it seems to be a rule that latitudinal, and not longitudinal, lines are the cementing and binding ones; that communities lying east and west of each other become by the laws of trade and commerce more closely allied and more readily assimilated than those lying north and south. In any event, there scarcely seems an existing necessity for holding together in Territorial or Statehood two widely separated regions, both largely populated, both immense in area, and both sincerely desirous of division. do not regard the diversity of soil or climate or productions substantial reasons for separation. This would be an element of strength indeed, were a given Territory otherwise closely allied; but a country 400 miles in length from north to south is too large for the convenience of the people, and has difficulty in attaining to that harmony and co operation so important, if not so vitally necessary, to the upbuilding of a peaceful, united, and prosperous State. THE CAPITAL REMOVAL. I The act of the legislature removing the capital from Yankton to Bismarck occasioned some feeling, owing to the fact that the law created a commission to select a site instead of naming the locality by legis lative enactment, and aroused legal controversy. The district court, before which the case was first brought, decided against the validity of the law. The question subsequently came before the supreme court of the Territory, and the decision of the court below was reversed and the act of the legislature held to be valid. Steps had been taken to bring the case before the Supreme Court of the United States when I assumed more profitable, and for dairy purposes it is unexcelled. With cheap power for manufacturing ice for creameries and cheese factories, dairying will become an extensive and profitable business. In Arizona alone 500,000 pounds of creamery butter can be sold annually at 50 cents per pound. It is now difficult to secure good butter in the Territory at any price, and fair ranch butter often sells at 75 cents. The cost of raising hogs on alfalfa does not exceed two cents per pound. There was shipped into Arizona last year 2,000,000 pounds of bacon, at a cost of 18 cents per pound-$360,000--and the demand is rapidly increasing. Now, with our facilities for packing in the summer season, by means of the proposed ice-chilled rooms, this supply will, in a few years, all come from Salt River Valley. And in addition to Arizona, we will supply Sonora, New Mexico, and Eastern California. LAND GRANTS. The present uncertainty existing regarding the final disposition of lands granted to the Atlantic and Pacific and Texas Pacific Railroads by Congress is preventing the settlement of Arizona to a great extent, and keeping from the Territory much capital that would be invested here, could a title to these lands be obtained. I most urgently present the fact that a determination by Congress of the question whether the railroads or the Government own the lands referred to, and the opportunity given citizens to acquire title from either one or the other of these sources, will be of incalculable benefit to Ari zona. MEXICAN GRANTS. There exist numerous alleged Mexican grants in this Territory, the title to which, in many cases, is believed to be fraudulent, either as to the grant itself or the proposed boundaries. Some immediate action should be had to determine these titles, so that the lands could be properly improved and add to the taxable value of the property of the Territory. The last year brought to light a new one of these grants, the "Miguel Peralta," which is of mammoth proportions and immense importance, purporting, as it does, to cover some of the most productive portions of the Territory, and embracing within its limits numerous largely settled towns and affecting the individual welfare of probably fifteen thousand citizens. I most earnestly urge that Congress take some action by which the title to the lands in this Territory be as firmly fixed as in any other part of the United States, and forever bar the asserting at this late time of such grants as referred to above. TERRITORIAL FAIR. It affords me gratification to report that the people of the Territory are awake to their agricultural and industrial interests. During the past year the "Arizona Industrial Exposition Association" has been organized, the first annual fair of which is to be held at Phoenix, Maricopa County, November 10 to 15, inclusive, the present year. The promoters of this association are already assured of a very suc cessful meeting, and the varied resources of Arizona, when collectively exhibited, will certainly present an attractive and instructive exposition, the extent of which will prove a surprise to all who are not familiar with the rapid progress made in this part of the Southwest during the past few years. Active steps are also being taken to have the Territory properly represented at the World's Industrial and Cotton Centennial Exposition at New Orleans, and I believe much substantial benefit will accrue to our people from having the resources of the Territory more thoroughly understood abroad. |