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.
During his four-year term as Governor of North Dakota, Hanna focused on eliminating the $300,000 debt inherited from his predecessor. By the end of his term, he had paid off the entire amount and also reduced the bonded debt by nearly a million dollars to $462,000.