Page:U.S. Department of the Interior Annual Report 1879.djvu/66

64 although much remains yet to be done. No steps have been taken to make available the lands set apart for the schools of the Territory.

The Territory is without benevolent institutions, nor is there a penitentiary within its borders.

The latter is a necessity that should be provided for without delay.

Neglect to erect a suitable institution for the keeping of criminals has been a fruitful source of crime. The governor recommends that Congress take immediate steps to provide a suitable building for the purpose named.

The report concludes with a statement giving the results of certain observations relating to the climate of the Territory.

From this it would appear that the central portion has a delightful and healthy climate. The prevailing diseases are rheumatism and catarrh, while consumption is almost unknown.

Dakota is the largest of the organized Territories, containing about 150,000 square miles, or an area nearly equal to Pennsylvania, New York, and all the New England States combined.

The governor reports the present year as one of unexampled prosperity. Although the crops in some of the southeastern counties were partially destroyed by drought and grasshoppers, those of other sections have been excellent.

The products of the Black Hills mines are estimated at $3,000,000 for the past year. Immigration has been larger than in previous years. In the absence of accurate returns, the population of the Territory can only be approximately given at 160,000.

Railroad facilities are being largely increased, about 400 miles being already completed, with a promise of at least 500 miles by January next.

The educational interests of the Territory are in a satisfactory condition, the schools having increased in number and improved in character. Churches have multiplied, and greater respect is shown for the law than formerly.

The present need of the Territory, and one that Congress should supply at an early day, is a suitable penitentiary for the confinement of criminals.

An institution for the care and education of the deaf and dumb and the blind is also needed. It is suggested that provision should be made for the organization of at least three companies of militia: one for Southeastern Dakota, one for Northern Dakota, and one for the Black Hills.

The governor concludes his report by giving his views on the question of erecting within the present limits of Dakota other territorial governments. He favors the division, and is of the opinion that two or three Territories could be advantageously formed out of the present area.