The assessed value of property in the territory in 1875 was $14,569,156, and the ter ritorial tax levied amounted to $58,295. The territorial debt at that time was $20,599. The total receipts for school purposes during the same year were $39,294. The schools are under the supervision of a,superintendent appointed by the governor and council every two years, and are supported by taxation, fines under criminal statutes, and by private contributions. In 1875 there were 305 districts and the school population was about 11,900. The number of children enrolled was 7,592; the number of schools 238; of teachers, 240. The only institutions for higher education are the territorial university, at Seattle, which has an endowment of $15,000 and buildings and grounds valued at $50,000; and the Holy Angels' college, at Vancouver, a Roman Catholic institution which was organized in 1865. In 1870 the number of libraries in the terri tory was 102, containing 33,362 volumes, of which 72, with 19,810, volumes were pri vate. The number of newspapers published is about 17, of which 3 are dailies, and 13
weeklies. The religious denominations in 1875 were 12 Baptist, 5 Christian, 6 Congre gational, 9 Protestant Episcopal, 24 Methodist. 7 Presbyterian, 19 Roman Catholic, 1 Second Advent, 10 United Brethren in Christ, and 1 Union.
The executive officers are a governor and secretary, appointed by the president every four years, and an auditor and treasurer, appointed by the governor every two years. The legislature consists of a council of 9 members and a house of representa tives of 30 members, both elected by the qualified voters for two years. The judicial power is vested in a supreme court, three district courts, a probate court in each county, and justices of the peace. Every male citizen 21 years of age is allowed to vote, pro. vided he has resided within the county in which he offers to vote a certain prescribed time. The territory is represented in congress by one delegate.