The four years in Bismarck as Governor of North Dakota were largely spent attacking the $300,000 debt inherited by Hanna upon assuming office. At the end of four years, the entire amount was paid off; in addition, the bonded debt of nearly one million dollars was reduced to $462,000.
The four years in Bismarck as Governor of North Dakota were dedicated to addressing the financial burden inherited from Hanna's predecessor.  This involved paying off the $300,000 debt and reducing the bonded debt by nearly a million dollars to $462,000.