that which is intended to be used for the improvement of the highways, under the direction of the engineer in charge, and that which is to be used by the Secretary of the Interior for other purposes. The superintendent's estimate for the next fiscal year amounts to $150,000, including the following items: For headquarters building and other buildings for Government use... For the erection of telephone wires for use of the officers of the Park.... $3,500 00 15,000 00 1,500 00 7,500 00 10, 000 00 2,500 00 5,000 00 5,000 00 100,000 00 150,000 00 When this estimate was first presented I regarded it as too large. Upon reflection, after reading the report of the superintendent, which subsequently came to hand, I do not so consider it. A number of leases have been made with persons for the erection of hotels and the necessary out-buildings, under the authority of an act of Congress passed in 1883. Under none of these leases have the persons to whom they were made fully complied with the terms of their respective leases either as to the location or erection and completion of the buildings contemplated. It is evidently due more to the neglect of former superintendents to exercise the authority conferred by law and by the order of the Secretary of the Interior, that we now find the buildings improperly located, some of them upon grounds no part of which was leased, and furnishing very poor accommodations for visitors. This will necessitate decisive action by this Department to bring order out of confusion, and to solve difficult questions involving the rights of parties who have been accorded privileges there, consistently with the interests of the Government and the future status of the Park as a great national resort dedicated alike to the lovers of nature, the students of science, and the whole American people for recreation and enjoyment. THE TERRITORIES. ALASKA. The present governor of Alaska did not reach Sitka, the seat of gov ernment, until the 15th of September last. Notwithstanding the short period of fifteen days intervening between the day of his arrival and that on which he is required to make his report, he has with most commendable industry prepared and sent on a report remarkable alike for the interesting information it contains concerning the population, resources, and general condition of that remote district, and for the im portance of its suggestions and recommendations respecting the administration of its civil government. Having received this report just as my own was going to the press, I must postpone to a future occasion a fuller discussion of the latter subject. He estimates the population of Alaska, exclusive of the eastern portion of the Territory, which has not yet been reported on, at between 33,000 and 34,000 inhabitants, including Creoles, Aleuts, whites, and Indians. He states that the native Alaskans are largely educated in the elementary branches of a common-school education, and as a rule are industrious, provident, living in permanent and substantial homes, and all self-sustaining. Many of them are members of the different Christian churches-Greek, Presbyterian, and Catholic. He says that they belong to an entirely different race from the Indian tribes, and are capable of being educated up to the standard of good and intelligent citizenship, and recommends that just in proportion to their educational progress they should have the rights and privileges conferred and the duties and penalties of full citizenship imposed upon them. On the 14th of October last Governor Swineford states in a private letter that, up to the date of writing, they have had no frost at all, and that last winter at Sitka the lowest point reached by the thermometer was 14.06 degrees above zero. He says the impression that Alaska is a country of Arctic winters only is erroneous, and furnishes a meteorological summary for the twelve months ending August 31, 1885, kept by the signal officer at that station, which shows the mean maximum and minimum temperature, together with the number of clear, fair, and cloudy days, as proof of his assertion. He thinks that Alaska in the near future will prove a most important addition to the aggregate wealth of the nation. He has never seen more luxuriant vegetation than in Southern Alaska. All the hardier vegetables grow to maturity and enormous size; white turnips weighing ten pounds, cabbages twenty-seven, and as fine potatoes as can be found anywhere in the Eastern markets, growing at Wrangell, Juneau, and Sitka, while timothy and red top grow to a height of from five to seven feet, and hay in great abundance, capable of being cured for the winter. Cattle few, but in the best possible condition. The most important interest after the fur trade is that of mining. The most complete reduction-works of any to be found on the Pacific slope are at Douglas Island, opposite to Juneau. His description of the coal, iron, copper, and other mineral regions of Alaska is interesting, but based, as he admits, mostly upon hearsay. The waters of Alaska swarm with food-fishes, principal among which are the eod, salmon, and halibut. The curing and canning of cod and salmon have assumed large proportions. There are immense forests of spruce and hemlock, with scattered groves of yellow cedar, which last is very val uable. He urges the necessity of a more perfect form of civil government for the Territory, and gives reasons for allowing that Territory to send a Delegate to Congress which I think are entitled to grave consideration. TERRITORY OF ARIZONA. The governor of Arizona states that the warlike attitude of the Apaches has been a check to progress in some of the southern counties, but otherwise the advancement of all material interests has been in a high degree gratifying. Arizona is the oldest mining Territory in the United States. Since 1736 this branch of industry has prospered almost without interruption, checked only when the country has been left to the mercy of the Apaches. It is estimated that the value of the entire production of gold and silver and copper for the year ended December 31, 1884, was $10,512,016. The Territory possesses a climate which is almost perpetual summer, and wood and water in abundance. The opening of two transcontinental railways through, the northern and southern portions of the Territory has brought Arizona into prominence as a grazing region, and within the last three years the country has made rapid strides in this industry. It is especially favorable to the cattle interest. Stock roam over its grassy plains and uplands, and find no lack of food, keeping in prime condition every month in the year. The grade of cattle is being steadily improved by the introduction of thoroughbred stock. It is computed that the number of cattle in the Territory is 652,500. The sheep industry is thriving, the animals not only increasing in numbers but in size of carcass and weight of fleece. The area of the Territory is very nearly 114,000 square miles. Of this vast region it is estimated that 60,000 square miles, or 38,400,000 acres, can be utilized for grazing purposes, the miner and the farmer claiming the remainder. Not more than one-third of this immense range is supplied with living water. Nearly all the cattle in the Territory are now pastured upon about 13,000,000 acres tributary to natural springs and streams. The vast stretches of dry valley, plain, and table land are solitary wastes. A thick growth of grasses is found everywhere, and, with water, these would be among the most valuable ranges of the Territory. Artesian water can be found in nearly all of these dry regions. In the Sulphur Spring Valley, east of Tombstone, eight or ten wells have been flowing steadily for more than a year, and show no signs of diminution. In the Santa Rosa Valley, west of Tucson, an abun dance of water has been found at a depth of about 600 feet. These experiments prove that flowing water can be developed on the now waterless plains of Arizona. The suggestion that Congress make appropriation to defray the expense of sinking artesian wells in several of the higher valleys of Arizona is renewed. The farming lands of Arizona are confined mainly to the valleys of the principal water-courses, and it is estimated that there are 2,000,000 acres available for production. It has been demonstrated that the bottom lands of the Territory are among the richest in the entire West. They possess every adjunct for the successful cultivation of fruits, grains, textile plants, grasses, and vegetables. Everything grown in the temperate and semi-tropic zones can be produced in Arizona. Wheat, corn, barley, oats, and all the small grains give a prolific yield, and all the cultivated grasses grow luxuriantly. Cotton, sugar-cane, hemp, rice, and tobacco can be grown in the valleys of Southern Arizona. Socially, continued improvement is apparent. Not only has there been an influx of immigration and capital, but freedom from those deeds of violence which, in the past, have given to Arizona an unenviable reputation. The Territory's population now numbers over 80,000 souls, and its assessable property is valued at over $25,000,000. Railroads have been important factors in opening to population and capital this productive region. The people of Arizona desire relief from the Apache Indians, the most untamable and cruel savages known to American history. The governor earnestly recommends their removal from the San Carlos Reservation to the Indian Territory, or to such other suitable place as the Goverment may designate. While they remain within the Territory they will continue a constant menace to the lives and property of citi zens. He urges that reciprocal commercial relations with Mexico would not only give great impetus to trade along our southern boundary, but would open an extensive field for our export products, and that the balance of trade would be very largely in favor of the United States. Commercial reciprocity would improve the condition of civilization along our border. Concert of action between the officials of both countries would greatly reduce crime and discord, and prosperity would rapidly increase on both sides of the border. It is estimated that the amount of trade across the border already developed by newly-constructed railroad lines amounts to $5,000,000 annually. Favorable consideration of the memorial of the thirteenth legislative assembly of Arizona, in regard to the purchase, from the Republic of Mexico, of so much of the State of Sonora as is necessary to supply this Territory with proper coast advantages, is asked for by the governor. TERRITORY OF DAKOTA. The report of the governor of Dakota states that the population of that Territory, as shown by the recent census, is now 416,000 in round numbers. As showing the increase of settlement, it states that 5,000,000 acres of Government and railway lands have been disposed of. The crops have been excellent and the prices have been much in ad vance of what they were a year ago. There are in the Territory 81,736 farms, containing 6,604,994 acres of improved land. The value of the farms is $155,960,518. With the exception of wheat the aggregate yield of small grain is largely in excess of that of the year previous. The following is the esti There are 2,701 miles of railroad in the Territory which are com. pleted or will be in running order by the 1st of January. A number of new enterprises of this character are under headway. Though regarded as a strictly agricultural and mining region, the Territory has developed numbers of manufacturing enterprises of magnitude. These are independent of the well-known gold and silver mines of the Black Hills, the value of whose product amounts to about $5,000,000 annually. These manufacturing establishments embrace woolen mills, flouring mills, quarries, breweries, pork-packing establishments, machine-shops, brick-yards, &c. The slaughtering-houses of the Northern Pacific Refrigerater Car Company at Medora represent, with property belonging thereto, $395,000 capital. Between sixty and seventy thousand children attend the public schools of the Territory. There are many denominational schools and colleges, all showing more or less prosperity. Over $1,800,000 in the aggregate have been paid out for educational purposes during the last year. The last session of the Territorial legislature provided for a constitutional convention for that part of the Territory lying south of the forty-sixth parallel, and in accordance with the act the convention has been held and a constitution framed, which, if adopted, will be presented to Congress. He advocates the division of the Territory, and the admission of that section known as South Dakota as a State into the Union. If the admission of Dakota as two separate common wealths or as a whole should be postponed, the governor recommends some action on the part of Congress for the further protection of the people. The organic law is not adequate to the necessities of a populous and wealthy Territory. There should be some barrier against the abuses of legislation and kindred evils. There is no limit to taxation nor to the Territorial or municipal debts which may be contracted. The recent exposure of enormous frauds in the issue of school warrants or bonds in Indiana calls attention to the fact that similar frauds might be perpetrated in |