No. I.–Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 8, relative to report of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

[Passed January 20, 1887.]

      Resolved by the Assembly, the Senate concurring, That two thousand copies of the report and accompanying documents of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction be printed, four hundred copies for the use of the Assembly, two hundred copies for the use of the Senate, one hundred copies to be delivered to the Secretary of State, and the residue to be delivered to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction for the use of School Trustees, County Superintendents and others in his department, and to supply exchanges with States and Territories.

Relative to printing report of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

No. II.–Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 1, relative to appointing a commission to take into consideration matters relating to irrigation.

[Passed January 20, 1895.]

      Resolved by the Assembly, the Senate concurring, That a joint committee of nine, to consist of five members of the Assembly and four members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly and the President of the Senate, respectively, is hereby created to be known as the Joint Committee on Irrigation. It shall be the duty of this committee to take into consideration the question of irrigation, and all matters pertaining thereto, with a view to offering such legislation as may be required, to encourage and foster present and future plans for establishing irrigation in this State. This committee shall have power to report by bill or resolution, and the State officers, as well as other citizens, are cordially invited to furnish to said committee all available information upon the subject of irrigation.

Relative to joint committee on irrigation.

Relative to Committee on State Prison.

No. III.–Assembly concurrent resolution relative to appointing a Committee on State Prison labor.

[Passed January 20, 1887.]

      Resolved by the Assembly, the Senate concurring, That a committee to consist of the Standing Committee of the Assembly on State Prison and the Senate Standing Committee on State Prison and Insane Asylum, be appointed, said committee to be known as the Joint Committee on State Prison labor. It shall be the duty of this committee to investigate and report as to whether it is desirable for the State to continue in operation the boot and shoe shop at the Nevada State Prison. Said committee shall invite the attendance of all who take an interest in matters relating to industrial questions, and citizens who so desire shall be privileged to appear before the committee and testify, or may transmit their views to said committee in writing. This committee is empowered to administer oaths, and to send for papers and persons. A full record of the proceedings of said committee shall be kept. This committee shall have the privilege of meeting in the rooms assigned to the Assembly Committee on State Prison, and the clerk of the said Assembly Committee on State Prison is hereby made the clerk of this joint committee.

Relative to inter-State commerce.

No. IV.–Assembly Substitute for Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 2 [and] Assembly Joint Resolution No. 6.

[Passed January 21, 1887.]

To the Congress of the United States in relation to the passage of a bill to regulate inter-State commerce and prevent unjust discrimination by common carriers.

      Whereas, The people of the State of Nevada have long suffered under the discriminating charges of the inter-State railroad companies; therefore,

      Resolved by the Assembly, the Senate concurring, That the passage of the bill now before Congress, entitled “A bill to regulate inter-State commerce, and prevent unjust discrimination by common carriers,” would be beneficial to the people of this State and just to the railroads therein.

      Resolved, That our Senators in Congress are hereby instructed, and our Representative requested to vote for and use all honorably means to secure the early passage of said bill.

      Resolved, That his Excellency, the Governor, be requested to telegraph to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress, a copy of the foregoing resolution.

No. V.–Assembly Joint Memorial and Resolution relative to prohibiting the further importation or immigration of Chinese to the United States.

[Passed January 21, 1887.]

To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, in Congress assembled:

      Your memorialists, the Legislature of the State of Nevada, respectfully represent that

      Whereas, The people of this country, with a unanimity of sentiment unparalleled in history, are opposed to the further importation or immigration of Chinese into the United States; and

      Whereas, This opposition is not of sudden growth, but is the result of more than thirty years’ experience; and

      Whereas, The history of all countries where the Chinese have been permitted to reside among other races is a precise counterpart of our own; and

      Whereas, The evils arising from the existence of the Burlingame treaty are:

      First-Their coming is an invasion, not an immigration.

      Second-They have no families or homes among us.

      Third-Their domestic relations and modes of living are such as to forever preclude their assimilation with our people.

      Fourth-By education and customs they are antagonistic to a republican form of government.

      Fifth-They maintain secret tribunals in our midst in defiance of our laws.

      Sixth-The presence of so many adults owing allegiance to a foreign power is dangerous.

      Seventh-They deter industrious citizens from immigrating to, and establishing homes on the Pacific Coast.

      Eighth-The contract system by which they come to this country is virtually a system of slavery, which is hostile to American institutions.

      Ninth-Their presence deters the growth of an industrious labor element among our boys and girls, and contaminates them with loathsome diseases.

      Tenth-After subsisting on the lowest possible portion of their earnings, they remit the residue, amounting to many millions annually, to China, while the substitution of American labor would retain this vast sum in our own country. For these reasons they are a constant and growing source of danger to our States, and it is necessary that their immigration be immediately stopped, and every peaceable and legal measure be adopted to remove those now among us; and

      Whereas, The prevailing sentiment among our people upon this subject is authentically recorded in the return made of the vote cast at the general election held in this State on the second day of November, 1880,

Relative to Chinese immigration.

Relative to Chinese immigration.

second day of November, 1880, which votes, now on file in the office of the Secretary of State, are as follows:

and

      Whereas, This feeling of antagonism is constantly growing stronger, and the presence of the Chinese among us is a source of continued unrest and disturbance, socially and financially; therefore,

      Resolved by the Assembly, the Senate concurring, That we earnestly petition the Congress of the United States to take immediate steps to absolutely prohibit the Chinese invasion.

      Resolved, That we earnestly urge upon Congress the immediate abrogation of the so-called Burlingame treaty.

      Resolved, That the Governor be requested to forward a certified copy hereof to our Representative in Congress, and each of our United States Senators, with the request that they do all within their power to secure speedy and favorable consideration of the subject of this petition.

No. VI.–By the Committee on Ways and Means-Assembly Concurrent Resolution, relative to a State Board of Equalization.

[Passed January 25, 1887.]

      Resolved by the Assembly, the Senate concurring, That the matter of drafting a bill to provide for organizing a State Board of Equalization be and the same is hereby referred to the Standing Committee on Ways and Means of the Senate and Assembly, and the said committees are hereby constituted a joint committee, for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned.

Board of Equalization be and the same is hereby referred to the Standing Committee on Ways and Means of the Senate and Assembly, and the said committees are hereby constituted a joint committee, for the purposes hereinbefore mentioned.

Relative to Board of Equalization.

No. VII.–Joint Memorial and Resolution relative to war claims of the State of Nevada against the United States.

[Passed January 26, 1887.]

      Whereas, Claims of the State of Nevada against the United States, growing out of the late war of the rebellion, have been properly made out, authenticated and forwarded to the proper authorities of the Government for allowance and payment; and

      Whereas, It appears from correspondence between the agent of this State at Washington city and the State Controller that there is danger of great delay in respect to final action upon said claims, if not of their ultimate rejection and non-payment, in part, if not wholly; and

      Whereas, It has been established that said claims are most just and equitable, and ought to be paid without further delay; therefore the Senate and Assembly of the State of Nevada hereby jointly memorialize our Senators and Representative in Congress, and do most respectfully and urgently request them and each of them, to use all proper means and efforts before the honorable Secretary of War, before Congress or any other Department, body or officer, so far as necessary, to secure the earliest possible allowance and payment of our said war claims against the United States; and be it

      Resolved by the Senate and Assembly jointly, That his Excellency, the Governor, be and hereby is respectfully requested to forward by mail a certified copy of the foregoing (to be accompanied by a printed copy of the recent argument of Captain John Mullan before the honorable Secretary of War, upon the allowance of said claims,) to each of our Senators and Representative in Congress, at the earliest practicable date; and that he and Hon. J. F. Hallock immediately telegraph to Captain John Mullan that said memorial and argument will be so forwarded without delay.

Relative to war claims.

No. VIII.–Senate Joint Resolution referring the Legislature of the State of California to the matter of depositing sawdust in the Truckee river by citizens and residents of the State of California.

[Passed January 26, 1887.]

      Whereas, The Truckee river has its source in Lake Tahoe, and its outlet in Lake Pyramid, flowing a distance of nearly one hundred miles in the States of California and Nevada; and,

Relative to sawdust in Truckee river.

one hundred miles in the States of California and Nevada; and,

      Whereas, The waters of said lakes and rivers are stocked with trout and food fishes; and,

      Whereas, At certain seasons of the year, the trout and food fishes are running up said river from its outlet to its source for the purpose of spawning; and,

      Whereas, The presence of sawdust in the waters of said river tends to destroy trout and food fishes; and,

      Whereas, The waters of said river have been for many years, and now are, made available by the citizens of this State for irrigating and domestic purposes through the medium of canals and irrigating ditches, which convey the waters of said river to the adjacent lands, whereby desert wastes have been and are being reclaimed, and whereby large and constantly increasing crops of cereals, grasses and vegetables have been and are now being cultivated; and,

      Whereas, The prosperity, health and happiness of a proportion of the citizens of this State are dependent upon the continued purity and volume of the waters of said river; and,

      Whereas, Certain corporations, firms and individuals, citizens and residents of the neighboring State of California, have been for years, and now are, engaged in lumbering and milling lumber within the borders of said State, and on, or contiguous to said river, and have been, and now are, accustomed to deposit in great quantities all waste and sawdust which are produced by such lumbering and milling operations into the waters of said river; and,

      Whereas, Said waste and sawdust is carried by the waters of said river through its entire length, and through the ditches and canals used for irrigating purposes, as aforesaid, upon the valuable farming and grazing lands of the people of this State and spread over the surface thereof, thereby year by year making the same less valuable and available for agricultural purposes; and,

      Whereas, Said waste and sawdust is carried by the waters of said river through its entire length, and through the ditches and canals used for irrigating purposes, as aforesaid, upon the valuable farming and grazing lands of the people of this State and spread over the surface thereof, thereby year by year making the same less valuable and available for agricultural purposes; and,

      Whereas, Portions of the available agricultural land of this State, along the line of said river, have already become valueless, and said river has been rendered almost valueless as a fish producing stream because if the premises aforesaid; and,

      Whereas, The depositing of waste material and sawdust in the said Truckee river is, and necessarily will continue to be an intolerable nuisance to the people of this State; therefore, be it

      Resolved by the Senate and Assembly of the State of Nevada, conjointly, That the Honorable the Legislature of the State of California be and it is hereby respectfully requested to consider the premises and to prevent, by appropriate enactment, the depositing of any waste materials or sawdust in the Truckee river by any persons, corporations or firms, engaged in lumbering or milling lumber within the borders of said State; and it is further

      Resolved, That the Governor be requested to cause a duly authenticated copy of this joint resolution to be transmitted to His Excellency, the Governor of the State of California, with the request that the same be presented to the Legislature of that State at his earliest convenience.

No. IX.–Assembly Memorial and Joint Resolution relative to the United States Mint at Carson City, Nevada.

[Passed January 27, 1887.]

To the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress Assembled:

      Your memorialists, the Legislature of the State of Nevada, respectfully show that the material interests of the State are suffering on account of unjust and unlawful discriminations that are being enforced against our people by the present Administration’s method of conducting the affairs of the Treasury Department, having special reference to the closing of the United States Mint at Carson.

      One of the great industries by which the people of Nevada live is mining for silver and gold. Whatever, therefore, burdens, discourages or imposes restraints upon mining, hurts us in a vital part.

      The mineral resources of the State are vast almost beyond belief; no region of the earth excels Nevada in richness and extent.

      From Idaho to Arizona, a distance of more than four hundred miles, from the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the Utah line, the hills are ribbed with ledges bearing precious metals.

      The business of mining is expensive and precarious. The ore must be found, broken down or blasted out, hoisted to the surface, transported to the mills, crushed, the metals extracted, the gold and silver parted, refined and sent to market or minted into coins.

      A vast and permanent outlay of labor and capital is required before return of profit can be hoped for.

      Capital is sensitive; it avoids precarious investments and unusual risks. A decline in the value of the metals-real or fictitious-an intimation that the mines have failed, or the withdrawal of privileges before enjoyed, arrests development, depresses industry and fills us with apprehension and alarm. It is impossible to overestimate the injury to mining produced by the suspension of coinage at the Carson Mint in April, 1885, and the final closing of that institution in November of that year.

      It gave out the intimation that the mines had failed, it discouraged those who had made investments, arrested enterprise that had already begun, and turned away those who were considering the advantage of our situation. It deprived the prospectors and miners of all the extensive region lying between the Rocky and Sierra Nevada Mountains, of the advantages of a sub-treasury, and of a mint to part, refine, assay, exchange and purchase their silver bullion, and to coin, exchange or purchase their bars of gold-a loss the more serious and irreparable because there is no other institution nearer than San Francisco to supply the deprivation.

      The bullion output of the region accommodated by the Carson Mint was no greater when the mint was started in 1869 than when it was closed in 1885.

Carson Mint at Carson City.

Carson Mint at Carson City.

son Mint was no greater when the mint was started in 1869 than when it was closed in 1885.

      Sources of information entirely reliable verify this statement. The tax records in the office of the State Controller show proceeds of mines returned for taxation in 1884 valued at $6,820,912; in 1885 it was $6,847,405, and in 1886 it was $6,585,839. These figures (as those furnished for purposes of taxation usually are) are believed to be far below the actual value.

      To this amount should be added the product of the great mineral district of Bodie and Inyo county, California, tributary to the Carson Mint.

      It is absolutely true that the bullion output of the country within a radius of fifteen miles of Carson is three times as much as could possibly be handled by this mint, through running at its fullest capacity.

      When the mint was established as now, mining for the precious metals was of more than mere local consequence. It was of national importance. It furnished the basis of metallic money, prevented the contraction of the currency, arrested the decline of values, strengthened the national credit and stimulated the industries and promoted the prosperity of the whole country. For these reasons, and to foster mining, the mint was established.

      The motive that actuated Congress, undoubtedly, was to provide metallic money for the need of business and to accommodate the inhabitants of the Great Basin with facilities for coining or selling their bullion.

      It cannot be pretended that the object was to make a profit to the Government. For more than sixty years, from 1792 to 1853, coinage was at the public expense, and without a charge to the citizens. The exaction of charges was for the sole purpose of preventing the exporting and melting of coins when a profit could be realized and recoining them when caprice suggested or temporary necessity required.

      The cause for which prompted and the reason which promoted the creation of the mint at Carson have not disappeared. They are as cogent and controlling to-day as in 1868, or at any time since the mint was established.

      The increased demand for silver and gold have in fact, augmented the importance of mining.

      The bullion output of the country tributary to the mint is almost as great as in 1869, and five times greater than the mint has required during any year of its existence, being, as we have already set forth, three times more than it could possibly convert into fine bars or coin even under the most favorable circumstances.

      When the mint closed its doors there were 258,241 ounces of refined silver and 24,694 ounces of gold ready for coinage, and 27,563 ounces of unparted gold, and 407,017 ounces of unparted silver ready for treatment. The supply on hand was sufficient to keep the mint in operation six months. No valid cause therefore existed for suspending operations.

      However much we complain on account of the closing of the mint, we feel that still greater wrong is being perpetrated by the manner of conducting it now in vogue.

the manner of conducting it now in vogue. It has been degraded from a mint to an assay office, and this is done, we verily believe, in order that an excuse may be had for entirely abandoning and dismantling it.

      From the time it was established it has been run at a profit to the Government.

      The total expense of the Carson Mint for eight years, beginning with the resumption of silver coinage in 1878, were $1,158,869 91, and the total earnings during the same period, $1,149,693, 01, showing a cost in excess of gains of only $9,276 90, due entirely to the suspension of coinage for eleven months in the years 1880, 1881 and 1882, the records disclosing that during these years the expenses were $122,289 86 in excess of the gains.

      In the years 1883, 1884 and 1885 the earnings were in excess of the expenses more than $68,284, and in 1885 the profits were $7,147, notwithstanding coinage was suspended in April.

      We do not bring out the fact that the mint can be operated at a profit to the Government as a special reason for resuming its operations. We do not believe that the mints, any more than the mails, dockyards, arsenals or courts, were ordained for the purpose of gaining a pecuniary profit to the Government. Such considerations are trifling and puerile when addressed to a great Government, which annually expends hundreds of millions of dollars to better the condition of its citizens. But it is something to the favor of a public institution established to foster a great industry and serve the convenience of the people, that it has accomplished the object for which it was created, and gained a profit besides.

      But the days for operating this mint at a profit have gone by. They departed when the institution became an object of adverse discrimination.

      They will not return until a change in the policy of the Treasury Department is effected by law compelling a just recognition of our rights.

      The first acts of the present Administration were inimical to the interests of the mint of Nevada, intending, doubtless, to add another argument against the coinage of silver. It was therefore deemed necessary by this hostile Administration that the mint should be made to show a loss in its operations. Knowing that this could not be accomplished if it were permitted to stand upon an equal footing with other similar institutions, harmful discriminations were enforced against it, not only by the Government but also by certain transportation companies.

      This very naturally drove the bullion past the doors of our mint to the San Francisco Mint, as well as to private assay offices and smelting works.

      Is it marvelous, then, that the deposits of bullion at the Carson Mint decreased?

      The only wonder is that there should have been any deposits whatever.

      The foregoing discloses a bad state of affairs, but that is not the worst of it.

Carson Mint at Carson City.

the worst of it. Not content with making rules greatly prejudicial to our mint, the Treasury Department took away from it the only possible means of showing a profit, namely, the right of coinage.

      Our mint is now merely a second-class assay office, the expenses of which amount to more than one hundred dollars a day, while the receipts are merely nominal.

      We respectfully submit that this method of treatment is unfair to the Mint at Carson, and destructive of the best interests of the people of the entire State.

      We claim that the mint has been closed and degraded in defiance of the law of Congress. The Treasury Department having usurped the powers of the supreme legislative body of the nation.

      Wherefore, we respectively memorialize your honorable body to enact statutes that will enforce a proper recognition of the rights of our people, and secure to us the privileges guaranteed by the laws of our country.

      Resolved by the Assembly, the Senate concurring, That His Excellency the Governor, be requested to transmit a printed certified copy of this memorial to members of the United States Senate, and to each Representative in Congress.

      Resolved, That our Senators and Representative in Congress be earnestly requested to use their best efforts to secure the enforcement of existing laws relating to the United States Mint at Carson, and to procure the passage of others that will give us the relief asked for.

Relative to paying Western Union Telegraph Company.

No. X.–Assembly Concurrent Resolution relative to paying the claim of the Western Union Telegraph Company.

[Passed February 2, 1887.]

      Resolved by the Assembly, the Senate concurring, That the Controller is hereby authorized to draw his warrant in favor of the Western Union Telegraph Company for the sum of thirty-six dollars and eighteen cents, on account of telegraphing the joint resolution relative to the Inter-State Commerce Bill to Washington City, and the State Treasurer is hereby directed to pay the same.

Relative to election of Board of Regents of State University.

No. XI.–Assembly Concurrent Resolution relative to the election of Regents of the State University.

[Passed February 3, 1887.]

      Resolved by the Assembly, the Senate concurring, That the election of Regents of the State University, set for this day, be and the same is hereby postponed until Friday, the fourth day of February, eighteen hundred and eighty-seven.

No. XII.–Joint Memorial and Resolution to the President of the United States relative to the appointment of a commissioner from Nevada on the inter-State commerce bill.

[Passed February 11, 1887.]

      Whereas, The prominence of the geographical situation of Nevada, relative to the great transcontinental railway passing through her borders, should entitle Nevada to a representation on the commission created under the provisions of the inter-State commerce bill; and,

      Whereas, The benefits to accrue to this coast, through the operations of said bill, seems to demand the appointment of a commissioner conversant with the wants and interests of the people of the Pacific Coast; therefore,

      Resolved by the Senate, the Assembly concurring, That the President of the United States be requested to appoint on said commission a resident of Nevada.

      Resolved further, That the Governor be requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States and to each of our Representatives in Congress.

Relative to the appointment of a Commissioner on the inter-State commerce commission.

No. XIII.–Senate Joint and Concurrent Resolution in relation to the viticultural industries of the Pacific Coast.

[Passed February 17, 1887.]

      Whereas, The prosperity of the industries of the Pacific States depends upon the harmonious relations between the representatives of the sections which they compose, whose people are indissolubly connected, and whose efforts inspire cordial sympathy between all classes; and

      Whereas, The State of Nevada has always been foremost in desire and action to advance the general progress of the entire Pacific Coast, and can point with pride to the record of her Senators and Representatives as not only being faithful to their immediate constituents, but to the interests of the people of the Pacific Coast; therefore, be it

      Resolved, That the people of Nevada, through their representatives, do especially commend their efforts in Congress in aiding the important viticultural industries of our sister State-California. And more especially do we approve the able report made by Senator John P. Jones in the United States Senate from the Committee on Finance in support of the demands of the vinegrowers, and urge that he continue to labor in behalf of this great industry, as we believe its success will eventually contribute to the well-being, progress and prosperity of Nevada. And be it further

      Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to our Senators and Representative in Congress as soon as possible.

Relative to the viticultural interests of the Pacific Coast.

Relative to amending the Constitution of the State of Nevada.

No. XIV.–Senate Joint and Concurrent Resolution, relative to amending the Constitution of the State of Nevada.

[Passed February 18, 1887.]

      Resolved by the Senate, the Assembly concurring, That the Constitution of the State of Nevada be amended as follows: Amend Article II. of the Constitution of the State of Nevada by adding thereto an additional section to read as follows:

      Section nine.  No person shall be allowed to vote at any election in this State who is a bigamist or polygamist, or who teaches the doctrines of bigamy or polygamy, or who is a member of or belongs to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, commonly called the Mormon Church, or who is a member of or belongs to any order, organization or association which sanctions or tolerates bigamy or polygamy, or plural or celestial marriage, or which exercises, or claims the right to exercise, civil power in conflict with or opposed to the Constitution or laws of this State or of the United States. If any person offering to vote shall be challenged as disqualified under this section, his vote shall not be received unless he shall take and subscribe the following oath:

      “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) before Almighty God, under the pains and penalties of perjury, that I am not a bigamist or polygamist; that I neither teach nor practice bigamy or polygamy; that I am neither a member of nor belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, commonly called the Mormon Church; that I am not a member of nor belong to any order, organization or association which sanctions or tolerates bigamy or polygamy, or plural or celestial marriage, or which exercises, or claims the right to exercise, civil power in conflict with or opposed to the Constitution or laws of this State or of the United States; that I regard the Constitution of the United States and the laws thereof, and the Constitution and laws of the State of Nevada, as interpreted by the courts, as the supreme law of the land, the doctrines or teachings of any order, organization or association to the contrary notwithstanding. So help me God.” The Legislature shall have power to enforce this amendment by appropriate legislation, and to add other requirements to the foregoing oath, but shall omit no part thereof.

No. XV.–Assembly Concurrent Resolution providtng for paying the expenses of the joint committee appointed to confer with a joint committee from the California Legislature on the subject of sawdust in the Truckee river.

[Passed February 18, 1887.]

      Resolved by the Assembly, the Senate concurring, That the sum of two hundred and forty-five dollars and seventy-five cents be allowed out of the Legislative Fund in favor of J. L. Hanna,

of two hundred and forty-five dollars and seventy-five cents be allowed out of the Legislative Fund in favor of J. L. Hanna, Sergeant-at-Arms of the Assembly, for the purpose of paying the expenses of the joint committee in the subject of sawdust in the Truckee river. Said J. L. Hanna is authorized to draw his warrant for the amount herein named, and the State Controller and State Treasurer are hereby directed to pay the same.

Relative to payment of joint committee on sawdust.

No. XVI.–Senate Substitute for Senate Memorial and Joint Resolution No. 15, relative to a hydrographic and topographic survey of the State of Nevada.

[Passed February 23, 1887.]

      Whereas, The State of Nevada is located in what is termed the arid regions of the United States, and interseated by ranges of mountains, between which are valleys of various dimensions; and

      Whereas, The greater portion of these valleys are favorably located, and their soils of a character quite capable of production, but for lack of sufficient humidity are comparatively worthless; and

      Whereas, In various parts of the State small tracts of land lying near large springs and along the courses of small streams have for a number of years been cultivated, and by the diversion of the waters of said springs and streams these small tracts of land have given satisfactory evidence and proved conclusively that by irrigation the greater portion of our valleys are capable of producing in abundance the various grasses, grains, vegetables, fruits and cereals of all kinds grown in the United States; and

      Whereas, From many of our mountain ranges large supplies of water spring and flow, a portion to the seas, and a large portion through narrow channels into lakes or sink and are lost in sandy deserts; and

      Whereas, There are large tracts and sections of land at present representing no value whatever, contiguous to and lying near these water courses; and

      Whereas, By the introduction of these waters upon said lands they will be largely sought after and settled upon by enterprising, intelligent people, who will build up homes, create around them large amounts of taxable property, organize societies and associations and well-ordered communities, embarking in the various enterprises of our State, opening new channels of industries, adding greatly to the State’s wealth and population, and that of the country in general; and

      Whereas, Our General Government, founded upon the most liberal principles, has ever been generous towards the early settlers of its frontier Territories and States in moneyed appropriations to assist in building up and developing their natural resources and dormant wealth; and

Relative to hydrographic and topographic survey.

Relative to hydrographic and topographic survey.

priations to assist in building up and developing their natural resources and dormant wealth; and

      Whereas, The State of Nevada, being as it is, land locked by ranges of mountains and having no communication with tide water and no communication with any navigable stream; and

      Whereas, The State of Nevada has never asked any sum in the way of appropriation for the improvement of her rivers and harbors; and

      Whereas, Nevada has never received her just proportion of money donated by Congress for internal improvements; and

      Whereas, A hydrographic and topographic survey of the said State by competent engineers is necessary to more fully determine the practicability of attempting the reclamation and cultivation of its arid lands, and determining the quality of such lands and of the water which may be made useful for such purpose, and the proper methods for storing and husbanding such water, which are now wholly unavailable; therefore be it, by the Senate and Assembly conjointly,

      Resolved, That our Senators and Representative in Congress are hereby requested to procure, if possible, a suitable appropriation by Congress for the purpose of having made a hydrographic and topographic survey of the State of Nevada, or to use their best endeavors with the proper department of the Government to procure a detail of engineers for the purpose of making such survey.

      Resolved, That the Governor cause to be transmitted a copy of these resolutions to each of our Senators and Representative in Congress.

Relative to live stock interests.

No. XVII.–Senate Memorial and Joint Resolution in behalf of the live stock interests of Nevada.

[Passed February 23, 1887.]

      Whereas, Large sums of money are now and are constantly being invested in the raising of cattle and other live stock in the State of Nevada; and,

      Whereas, The remoteness of her people from market make them peculiarly sensitive to disadvantages arising from any prejudice or fear of disease in range cattle; therefore, be it

      Resolved, That our Senators and Representative in Congress are hereby requested to use every energy and honorable means in their power to secure the passage through Congress of House of Representatives Bill no. 10,359, the same being an Act entitled “A Bill to extirpate contagious pleuro-pneumonia, foot and mouth disease and rinderpest among cattle, and to facilitate the exportation of cattle and the products of live stock and for other purposes,” which was introduced by Mr. Carey December twentieth, eighteen hundred and eighty-six.

      Resolved, That the Governor is hereby requested to forward immediately copies of these resolutions to our respective Representatives in each House of Congress.

No. XVIII.–Joint and Concurrent Resolution relative to the transportation of bullion and coin.

[Passed February 25, 1887.]

To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the Congress of the United States:

      Your memorialists, the Senate and Assembly of the State of Nevada, respectfully represent that

      Whereas, The Government of the United States employs postal cars to carry the United States mail and other matter; and

      Whereas, Ample room remains in such cars for the transportation of bullion and coin; and

      Whereas, The charges of the express companies are oppressive and a severe tax both upon the Government and the people; now, therefore,

      Your memorialists pray that the Postoffice Department be required to carry, on all routes where postal cars are run, gold and silver bullion and coin of the Unites States at prices not not exceeding ordinary freight charges on the roads on which such cars are run.

Relative to transportation of bullion.

No. XIX.–Senate Joint and Concurrent Resolution, relative to a Constitutional convention to revise the entire Constitution of the State of Nevada.

[Passed February 26, 1887.]

      Resolved by the Senate, the Assembly concurring, That it is necessary to revise the entire Constitution of the State of Nevada. The electors of the State of Nevada are hereby recommended at the next general election for members of the Legislature of the State of Nevada, to be holden on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and eighty-eight, to vote for or against a Constitutional convention. We recommend that the vote be cast in the following form:

      “Shall a Constitutional convention be called? Yes.”

      “Shall a Constitutional convention be called? No.”

Relative to revising the entire Constitution.

Relative to Pacific Coast naval defenses.

No. XX.–Senate Joint and Concurrent Resolution No. 19.

[Passed February 28, 1887.]

To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress assembled:

      Your memorialists, the Legislature of the State of Nevada, respectfully represent that it is the part of wise statesmanship in peace to prepare for war, and that in the opinion of your memorialists, the defenseless condition of our entire sea coast and the non-existence of an efficient navy are subjects of the gravest importance and should receive the immediate attention of your honorable body; therefore, be it

      Resolved, That our Senators in Congress be instructed and our Representative requested to use every honorable effort to secure ample appropriations to place our seaports in an impregnable condition against foreign aggression, and create a navy that shall be available to protect our national rights and that may redound to the credit and honor of this great republic.

Relative to election of United States Senator.

No. XXI.–Senate Joint Memorial and Resolution, relating to the election of United States Senators.

[Passed March 2, 1887.]

To Congress of the United States:

      Your memorialist, the Legislature of the State of Nevada, ask that you take immediate steps toward so amending the Constitution, that the election of United States Senators shall be directly by the people of the several States.

      Resolved by the Senate, the Asssmbly concurring, That the Governor be requested to forward engrossed copies of this memorial to our Senators and Representative at Washington, asking that it be publicly read before each House of Congress.

No. XXII.–Substitute for Assembly Memorial and Joint Resolution No. 15, relative to the abandonment of Walker River Indian Reservation.

[Passed March 3, 1887.]

To the Honorable, the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, in Congress assembled.

      Your memorialists, the Legislature of the State of Nevada, respectfully represent that,

      Whereas, Said reservation comprises within its boundaries some of the most valuable mineral lands that can be found in this State, and which said mineral lands are entirely worthless to the Indians residing and being upon said reservation; and

some of the most valuable mineral lands that can be found in this State, and which said mineral lands are entirely worthless to the Indians residing and being upon said reservation; and

      Whereas, A large number of citizens are desirous of entering upon said mineral lands for the purpose of prospecting and searching for valuable ores of gold, silver and other precious metals thereon; and

      Whereas, That portion on which the mineral lands are located lies within and along the western boundary of said reservation; therefore be it

      Resolved, That our Senators and Representative in Congress be and are hereby requested to use all possible means to have that portion of said Walker River Indian Reservation here and before designated, declared open to the citizens of the United States for prospecting and mining purposes.

      Resolved, That the Governor cause to be transmitted a copy of this memorial and resolution to each of our Senators and our Representative in Congress.

Relative to abandonment of Walker River Indian Reservation.

No. XXIII.–Assembly Concurrent Resolution relative to amending the Constitution of the State of Nevada.

[Passed March 3, 1887.]

      Resolved by the Assembly, the Senate concurring, That the Constitution of the State of Nevada be amended as follows:

      Amend Section twenty-four of Article IV. of the Constitution of the State of Nevada so as to read as follows:

      Section twenty-four.  The Legislature is authorized to provide for the organization and incorporation of a lottery in the State of Nevada, and to designate the amount of revenue that shall be annually paid into the State Treasury by said corporation.

Relative to amending the Constitution of the State.

No. XXIV.–Assembly Joint Resolution, relative to amending the Constitution of the State of Nevada.

[Passed March 3, 1887.]

      Resolved by the Assembly, the Senate concurring, That the Constitution of the State of Nevada be amended in the following manner: Amend Section thirty-two of Article IV., so that (it) shall read as follows:

      Section thirty-two.  The Legislature shall have power to increase, diminish, consolidate or abolish the following county officers: County Clerks, County Recorders, Auditors, Sheriffs, District Attorneys, County Surveyors, Public Administrators and Superintendent of Schools.

Relative to amending the Constitution of the State.

District Attorneys, County Surveyors, Public Administrators and Superintendent of Schools. The Legislature shall provide for their election by the people, and fix by law their duties and compensation. County Clerks shall be ex officio Clerks of the Courts of Record and of the Boards of County Commissioners in and for their respective counties.

Relative to amending the Constitution of the State.

No. XXV.–Assembly Joint Resolution relative to amending Section 3, Article 15, of the Constitution of the State of Nevada.

[Passed March 3, 1887.]

      Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate, conjointly, That Section 3, Article 15, of the Constitution of the State of Nevada be amended so as to read as follows:

      Section three.  No person shall be eligible to any office who is not a qualified elector under this Constitution. No person who, while a citizen of this State, has, since the adoption of this Constitution, fought a duel with a deadly weapon, sent or accepted a challenge to fight a duel with a deadly weapon, either within or beyond the boundaries of this State, or who has acted as second, or knowingly conveyed a challenge, or aided or assisted in any manner in fighting a duel, shall be allowed to hold any office of honor, profit or trust, or enjoy the right of suffrage under the Constitution. The Legislature shall provide by law for giving force and effect to the foregoing provisions of this section; provided, that females over the age of twenty-one years, who have resided in this State one year, and in the county or district six months next preceding any election to fill either of said offices, shall be eligible to the offices of Superintendent of Public Schools and School Trustee.

Relative to losses sustained by Indian depredations.

No. XXVI.–Assembly Joint Resolution No. 23.

[Passed March 3, 1887.]

      Whereas, By an Act of the Legislature of the State of Nevada, approved February twenty-sixth, eighteen hundred and sixty-six, a Board of Commissioners was created to ascertain the amount of loss and damages sustained by the inhabitants of Humboldt county, in said State, by the depredations of hostile Indians during the years eighteen hundred and sixty-four, five and six; and,

      Whereas, By an Act of the Legislature, approved March thirteenth, eighteen hundred and sixty-seven, a commission was appointed to ascertain the amount of loss and damages sustained by Indian depredations to citizens of Lander county, Nevada, during the years eighteen hundred and sixty-four, five and six; and,

tained by Indian depredations to citizens of Lander county, Nevada, during the years eighteen hundred and sixty-four, five and six; and,

      Whereas, By an Act of the Legislature, approved January thirtieth, eighteen hundred and sixty-nine, a commission was appointed to ascertain the amount of loss and damages sustained from Indian depredations by citizens of Humboldt county, Nevada, during the years eighteen hundred and sixty-seven and eight; and

      Whereas, The Bannock Indians during the year eighteen hundred and seventy-eight, raided the counties of Humboldt and Elko, in the State of Nevada, murdering white people, burning and destroying property, stealing and driving off stock and laying waste the country through which they passed; and

      Whereas, The several Commissions created under the Acts above cited were duly sworn, attended to their duties and reported to the Governor that the claims were just and equitable; and

      Whereas, No Congressional action has yet been taken towards the payment of the same, neither has the State of Nevada assumed or paid any of the losses and damages reported as justly due the persons whose names appear in their respective report; therefore be it

      Resolved by the Assembly, the Senate concurring, That our Senators be instructed, and our Representative requested to use all honorable means to procure the payment of these claims, together with the expenses of the Commission, and such just and proper sum for the losses and damages sustained by the Bannock Indian raid in 1878.

      Resolved, That the Governor be requested to transmit a certified copy of this preamble and resolution to each of our Senators and to our Representative in Congress.

Relative to losses sustained by Indian depredations.