OF THE GOVERNOR OF ARIZONA TO THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. 1892. WASHINGTON: GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR OF ARIZONA. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OF ARIZONA, Phoenix, Ariz., August 31, 1892. SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the affairs, progress, and development of the Territory of Arizona for the year ended June 30, 1892: POPULATION. 13 Although no census has been taken since my last report was submitted to you, at which time I estimated that the population of Arizona would number 70,000 people before the close of 1891, I am not sure that my prediction has been fully verified, as we have no means of procur ing absolutely correct data on the subject. I believe, however, that the population of Arizona has considerably increased during the year, and that I am justified in now stating the people of the Territory to number nearly, if not quite, 70,000. The class of immigration to Arizona is most desirable. Attracted by the great advantages of the Territory for agriculture, mining, and grazing, capitalists, farmers, mechanics and miners of substantial character have come, seeking investments and permanent homes. Social and moral conditions have rapidly improved, and as a law-abiding, intelligent, prosperous commonwealth Arizona now challenges comparison with any of her neighbors. TAXABLE PROPERTY OF THE TERRITORY. The following is an exact statement in tabulated form of the taxable property of Arizona, according to the assessment rolls and the report of the Territorial board of equalization for the current year. Although the figures are absolutely reliable as taken from official records, the assessments are very low, and I believe I am safe in saying that not one-half of the actual property of Arizona is shown to be taxed. 99, 490.00 301, 590.00 $39, 397.00 74, 223.00 75, 683.00 28,001.00 15, 656. 50 1,382, 420.00 9,800,00 331, 818.00 58,870.00 207, 485.00 48, 530.00 71, 443.00 114,-286. 00 77, 429. 08 $112,736.00 5,057 $121, 443. 63 3,408 4, 949 3,226 5,349 112, 316. 96 540, 995. 00 6,218 189, 247. 13 38, 690.00 1,966 49, 155.00 726, 552.00 5,290 111, 038. 66 Total.... 3,368, 743 4,748, 962. 43 1, 679, 013. 20 2, 266, 883. 50 2, 453, 068. 20 245, 879.00 7,125.00 48, 428 1, 158, 912. 46 According to the foregoing tables, the Territory has the following assessed taxable property: It will be seen from the above recapitulation that values are very low; the valuation of the personal and other property not stated is correspondingly low, which, when considered in connection with the fact that a considerable portion of the property of Arizona escapes assessment altogether, accounts for the apparent anomaly of conditions in reference to the wealth, debt, and taxes of the Territory. The rate of taxation differs in the different counties, but the average rate throughout Arizona for all purposes is $3.27 on $100, 80 cents of which, this year, is for Territorial purposes solely. As previously reported, the present system of low valuations and high rates is injurious and misleading, and calculated to create false impressions with intending immigrants and investors. Notwithstanding the apparently heavy debt of the Territory, our financial condition is really first-class, and it is conceded by all who are acquainted with the facts that if all the property of Arizona were assessed, and at its full value, the rate of taxation would be as low here as in many of the most prosperous States. It is very necessary for the Territorial welfare that these facts be understood and appreciated throughout the country. No doubt successful effort will be made by the next Territorial legislature, which will convene in February, 1893, to so revise the revenue laws in reference to the assessment and collection of taxes as to substantially correct the faults referred to. The total valuation as given above for the current year ($27,923,162.55) is a trifle below the assessment of last year, which is accounted for by the decrease in range cattle all over the Terrritory, there having been a great falling off both in value and in numbers during the past eighteen months-not so much from fatalities as from shipping out of the country. As this industry has been at all times uncertain and dependent to a large degree upon markets, supply, rainfall, etc., it can not be looked upon as a permanent and reliable factor at any fixed valuation in the resources of the Territory, notwithstanding that it has always been a very large tax-paying industry. I refer principally to the large herds upon extensive ranges of untaxed public domain. The cattleraising business in Arizona, usually fluctuating, has not been prosperous during the past two years. On the other hand, there has been a steady and material advance in the permanent interests of the Territory, especially in the agricultural and fruit raising districts. In Maricopa County alone the increase in values the present year, according to the assessment rolls, amount to over $700,000; the increase has been comparative in other agricultural localities, and there is no question whatever but what the solid, permanent property interests have largely increased. STATEMENT OF TERRITORIAL, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL INDEBTEDNESS, AND MUNICIPAL VALUES, RATES OF INTEREST, AND TAXATION. |