North Dakota

The supreme court of the State, having appellate jurisdiction only, is composed of five justices elected for six years each. A term is held on the first Tuesday of every month in the year, except July and August. There are six judicial districts in the State. The 1st, 2nd and 6th have three justices each, while the others have but two each, all elected for a term of four years. There are probate courts in each county, and justices of the peace in each township and village. Some cities are provided with police courts.

Population.

With homesteaders spreading over the prairies, the population increased from 36,909 in 188o to 190,983 in 1890, 319,146 in 1900, 577,056 in 1910 and 646,872 in 1920. The influx then slowed down, the 1930 census showing 680.845 inhabitants. The density per square mile was 9.7 in 1930. Of the total popula tion in 1930, 98.6% was white. Indians numbered 8,387 or almost 1.3%, while negroes numbered 377 or .o6%. The Indians belong mainly to five tribes, the Chippewa living in the Turtle moun tains, the Mandan, Gros Ventre or Hidatsa, the Arikara tribes at the Ft. Berthold agency, and the Sioux, or Dakota, at Devils Lake and Standing Rock agencies. Of the white population in 1930 105,148 or 15.7% were foreign-born. The most important coun tries of origin represented were Norway, ; Russia, 22,617; Canada, 12,241; Germany, 10, 114; Sweden, 8,47o and Den mark 2,936. Of the 84.3% na tive-born, 28.8% are of foreign parentage and 17.3% of mixed parentage — percentages greater than in any other State of the Union.

Of the total population but 113,306 were inhabitants of cit ies of 2,50o or over. This urban percentage of 16.6 is lower than in any other State in the United States, and shows how pre-emi nent are the agricultural inter ests of the State. Bismarck, the capital, had a population in 1930 of 11,090, an increase of 55.7% over 1920. Fargo, the chief city, numbered 28,619, while the other cities of over 5,00o in the same year were: Grand Forks, 17,112 ; Minot, 16,099; James town, 8,187; Devils Lake, 5,451; Valley City, 5,268; Williston, 5,106; Mandan, 5,037; and Dickinson, 5,025.

Finance.

The gross wealth of North Dakota was estimated by the Federal Census Bureau at $2,580,000,000 in 1929. In its per caput wealth of $3,803 the State ranked ninth among the States. The assessed valuation of property in 1935 was

895,606, 50% of the actual estimated valuation of the property. Real estate composed $357,016,402, or 73%, personal property $53,253,881, or i%, and all other property, including public - utility property, $79,625,323, or 16% of the assessment valuation. A total of or per $1000, was levied by the State against the 1935 valuation. In addition, the counties in 1932 levied property taxes of $6,880,766; cities, towns and villages, school districts, $12,451,519; townships Besides the general property tax an increasing amount is collected by special taxes. An inheritance tax law was enacted in 1913, a motor vehicle licence tax in 1917, income, gasolene taxes and gross earnings tax on car companies in 1919, a cigarette tax in 1925, and a retail sales tax in 1935. Income from special taxes in 1936 was The total tax burden in 1936 amounted to $40.15 per caput, a decrease from $49.63 in 1925.

Receipts of the State Government in the fiscal year 1935-36 amounted to $28,103,699, while expenditures were $30,627,828. On June 30, 1936, the total outstanding State debt was $31,458, Approximately $27,412,000 of this was in the form of rural credit bonds, the proceeds of which were loaned in turn to the farmers. These bonds are secured in all cases by first mortgages and the State only stands as surety for their payment. Aside from the rural credit bonds the State has bonds for $4.047,000 used to construct and finance its various industrial enterprises, notably the Bank of North Dakota and the State Mill and Terminal Ele vator. If these enterprises become a financial success they will retire their own bonds and taxes for the purpose will not be necessary.

There were, June 30, 1935, 66 national banks, 137 State banks and 25 loan associations. Total bank resources and liabilities amounted to $81,500,000; loans and discounts to $24,900,000; capital, surplus and undivided profits to $12,900,000. Of the $67,600,000 deposits $30,900,000 were in savings accounts.

Education.

Public schools of secondary rank are under the control of the State department of public instruction, while the State institutions of higher learning are supervised by the State board of administration.