No. I.–Senate Joint Resolution.

[Passed January 18, 1883.]

      Whereas, The two Houses already consists of sixty members; and

      Whereas, Economy in the administration of the government of this State, wherever it can be practiced without prejudice to the public welfare, is greatly desired; and

      Whereas, A still further reduction in the number of members of the Legislature can be made without injury to the general good; therefore be it

      Resolved by the Senate and Assembly conjointly: That a joint committee of three from the Senate and five from the Assembly be appointed by the presiding officers of the two Houses respectively, whose duties shall be to consider the re-apportionment of members of the Legislature of this State, and report their action to both Houses, by bill or otherwise.

Relative to economy.

Reduction of members Legislature.

Resolution.

No. II.–Senate Concurrent Resolution.

[Passed January 26, 1883.]

      Resolved by the Senate, the Assembly concurring, That the Joint Committee on Printing be, and are hereby instructed to have printed two hundred and forty copies of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the Standing Rules of the Assembly, and the Joint Rules of the Senate and Assembly, together with such other relevant matter as in their judgment should be included.

Printing Rules.

Surveys of public land

Resolutions

No. III.–Senate Concurrent Resolution relating to the United States surveys of the public lands of Nevada.

[Passed January 31, 1883.]

      Whereas, The State of Nevada has recently secured a grant of two millions of acres of land for school purposes; and,

      Whereas, The availability of such grant has been greatly enhanced by reason of more rapid progress of Government surveys within the last two years, and that should such progress of surveys continue the availability of such grant would be correspondingly further enhanced; and,

      Whereas, Congress at its last session reduced the rates for executing surveys so low as to practically stop all further progress of such surveys; therefore be it

      Resolved by the Senate, the Assembly concurring, That our Senators in Congress be instructed and our Representative be requested to use all honorable means to [to] secure a restoration of the rates to such a figure as will secure celerity in the execution of the surveys of the public lands of Nevada, and to secure an appropriation that will be sufficient to advance the U. S. surveys extensively and with dispatch, so that a just proportion of the unsurveyed land of the State can be surveyed annually.

      Resolved, That His Excellency, the Governor, be requested to forward a copy of this memorial to each of our Senators and our Representative at Washington.

Severe winter, starving Indians.

Requesting Governme’t aid.

No. IV.–Senate Concurrent Resolution relative to issuing rations to starving Indians.

[Passed February 6, 1883.]

      Whereas, Owing to the unprecedented rigor of the Winter the Indians of nothern Humboldt, and other parts of Nevada, are utterly destitute and absolutely starving.

      Resolved, That our Senators and Representative in Congress be urged to secure the immediate issue of rations to starving Indians at Fort McDermot as long as the same shall be necessary for their preservation.

      Resolved, That His Excellency the Governor be, and is hereby requested to telegraph a copy of this resolution to our Senators and Representative in Congress.

No. V.–Senate Joint Resolution in relation to artesian wells.

[Passed February 6, 1883.]

      Whereas, Most of the arable lands in the State of Nevada are worthless in their present condition, owing to the dry seasons and great deficiency of water; and

      Whereas, A scarcity of water for irrigation greatly retards a large increase of population and permanent homes; and believing that water in great abundance may be had by sinking artesian wells, thereby bringing into market millions of acres of public lands equally productive as those of other portions of the United States; and

      Whereas, The Humboldt House Station, in Humboldt county, in this State, is a magnificent exemplification of the fertility of our desert lands when irrigated; therefore be it

      Resolved by the Senate, and Assembly conjointly: That our Senators and Representative in Congress be requested to use all honorable means to secure an appropriation of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars with which to pay for the expense incurred in digging such artesian wells.

      Resolved, That the Governor be requested to forward immediately to our Senators and Representative in Congress copies of this preamble and resolution.

Lands worthless without water.

Increase of population.

Artesian wells.

Resolutions

No. VI.–Senate Joint Resolution relating to desert land entries.

[Passed February 19, 1883.]

      Whereas, A large number of entries were made in the United States Land Offices in this State, under the Act of March 3, 1876, known as the “Desert Land Act,” covering hundreds of thousands of acres of land, of which only a very small number of entries have been completed by final proof and payment, covering only a few thousand acres of said land; and,

      Whereas, Many of the entries, having lapsed by limitation of law and by present regulations of the General Land Offie, cannot be re-entered until they have been canceled by said Department; and,

      Whereas, At the date of the passage of said Act the grants to the State had been nearly exhausted, the Homestead and Pre-emption Acts requiring actual occupation and cultivation, and only 160 acres could be taken under said Act, and very many people of this and other States, with the idea of securing 640 acres, filed under the said Act; and,

Desert lands.

Resolutions

cultivation, and only 160 acres could be taken under said Act, and very many people of this and other States, with the idea of securing 640 acres, filed under the said Act; and,

      Whereas, The supposition that said entries were assignable was made more certain from the fact that the blank receipts sent from the Department for official use so distinctly stated; and,

      Whereas, Under this state of facts many entries were made and assigned, and the parties have left the State and the Pacific Coast; and,

      Whereas, For these and other reasons not much more than one-fifth of the applicants can make the proof required for final entry; and,

      Whereas, Many thousand acres of said land would be entered by homestead, pre-emption or State selections if cleared of these lapsed entries; and,

      Whereas, No patents have ever issued in cases of final entries, and some of them were made more than four years ago; now, therefore, be it

      Resolved by the Senate, the Assembly concurring, That our Senators are hereby instructed and our Representative in Congress is hereby requested to use all honorable means to secure

      First-The adoption of such rules and regulations by the General Land Office as will insure that all lapsed desert land entries shall be canceled after due notice to applicants.

      Second-That all final entries under the Act, whether made by the original applicant or by assignees, be patented at once, where the proof is satisfactory and in compliance with the Act.

      Third-That some needed steps be taken which will insure the forwarding of patents to those who may be entitled within a reasonable time after final proof is made.

      Fourth-That the Governor be directed to cause to be forwarded immediately to the Senators and Representative of Nevada in Congress copies of this Joint Resolution.

No. VII.–Senate Joint Resolution relative to forfeiture by the Central Pacific Railroad Company of certain lands granted in aid of the construction of its railroad, the legal title to which, in order to avoid payment of taxes thereon, it neglects to obtain from the United States.

[Passed February 19, 1883.]

      Whereas, By an Act of Congress, approved July first, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, amended by an Act of Congress,

Congress, approved July second, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, the Central Pacific Railroad Company was granted certain lands of the United States, in aid of constructing its railroad, amounting to about eight millions of acres; and

      Whereas, Four hundred and fifty-two miles of the main track of said railroad company are situate and operated within the State of Nevada, the grant of lands in aid of which aggregate over five million seven hundred and fifty thousand acres; and

      Whereas, But a very small portion, not to exceed five per centum of this vast amount of land so granted, has been selected or sold by the said company or patents thereto applied for; and

      Whereas, The legal title to the unpatented and unsold portion of said granted lands still remains in the United States, and is not subject to taxation by the State, or its county or municipal governments; and

      Whereas, The value of said granted lands is permanently and continuously enhanced by settlement upon portions thereof, sold by said company, and by improvements made thereon, and also by purchase and improvement of lands sold by the United States contiguous and adjacent thereto; and

      Whereas, The lands so granted are exempt from preemption and entry, as in case of lands of the United States lying within the State of Nevada; and

      Whereas, The said railroad company, through neglect and failure to have such granted lands surveyed and patented to itself, has, since the completion of its said railroad, avoided and still continues to avoid the payment of taxes thereon; and

      Whereas, The said Central Pacific Railroad has been completed and in full operation as part of a main transcontinental line for over thirteen years, during all of which time it has received the protection of the State, county and municipal governments, through whose territory its line extends, and under whose jurisdiction its lands so granted are situate, without contributing its equitable proportion to the support of said State, county and municipal governments through failure or neglect to obtain title as aforesaid to lands granted it by the General Government, and pay its just proportion of taxes thereon, as is demanded and collected of others obtaining lands by purchase or otherwise; and

      Whereas, A large portion of said granted land is valuable, and should be a source of revenue to the State and its local governments; now, therefore, be it

      Resolved by the Senate and Assembly conjointly, That our Senators in Congress be and hereby are instructed, and our Representative in Congress be and hereby is requested to use their utmost endeavors to secure the passage of an Act compelling the said Central Pacific Railroad Company to forthwith have surveyed and patented to itself the unsold lands embraced in the aforesaid grants,

Central Pacific Railroad.

Forfeiture of lands.

To contribute to support State Government.

Resolution.

Representative in Congress be and hereby is requested to use their utmost endeavors to secure the passage of an Act compelling the said Central Pacific Railroad Company to forthwith have surveyed and patented to itself the unsold lands embraced in the aforesaid grants, under penalty of forfeiting to the United States so much of the said grant as shall remain unsurveyed, and the legal title to which shall not be vested in said company within one year from the passage of the Act herein urged and demanded; and

      Resolved, further, That three manuscript copies of this resolution be prepared by the Secretary of State and forwarded, duly attested by His Excellency the Governor, one to each of our Senators and our Representative in Congress; and that five hundred copies of this resolution be ordered printed, and one copy thereof be forwarded by mail to each Senator and Representative now in the Congress of the United States.

Coinage of silver.

No. VIII.–Senate Memorial and Joint Resolution relative to the unlimited coinage of silver.

[Passed February 24, 1883.]

      Your memorialists, the Legislature of the State of Nevada, respectfully appeal to the Congress of the United States for relief from the unjust legislation in force against the industry and interest of the people of the State of Nevada, in the regulation of the national coinage, and in other ways. In the formation of the Federal Union, it was decreed to be for the mutual benefit of every State and Territory under its control, and the protection of all the industries and interests of every section alike; and that there has been a wide departure from these just principles of the fathers, let certain facts be stated. By an unequal adjustment of the Federal tariff, our people are made to pay on all the supplies they consume in the production and manufacture of silver, an outrageous tribute to the protected industries of the Atlantic States, without a compensating benefit from Federal legislation on what they produce. On the contrary, they are wronged by the Government out of more than one-eighth part of their silver, in its purchase for coinage at the mints, and coinage, being an exclusive monopoly of the Government, is managed in an unjust and arbitrary manner; coining gold bullion upon demand, and refusing the same privilege to the producers of silver bullion. London quotations are made to control and regulate the price of American produced silver, Nevada’s chief industry, while the chief industry of Pennsylvania, the production of iron and steel (as one instance of Federal partiality and favoritism), is sustained by a protective tariff.

while the chief industry of Pennsylvania, the production of iron and steel (as one instance of Federal partiality and favoritism), is sustained by a protective tariff. Therefore be it

      Resolved, That we hereby invoke Congressional action against such unparalleled discrimination, and we instruct our Senators and request our Representative in Congress to demand in the name of the people of this State the unlimited coinage of silver bullion produced in the United States of America, upon the same terms and conditions that are accorded to the producers of gold bullion.

      Resolved, That His Excellency, the Governor, be and is hereby requested to forward immediately a copy of this memorial to each of our Senators and Representative in Congress.

Resolutions

No. IX.–Senate Concurrent Resolution relative to printing the report of the Adjutant General.

[Passed January 25, 1883.]

      Resolved by the Senate, the Assembly concurring, That five hundred copies of the report of the Adjutant General for the years eighteen hundred and eighty-one and eighteen hundred and eighty-two, be printed for the Adjutant General to distribute.

Printing 500 copies.

No. X.–Senate Joint Resolution relative to establishing a tri-weekly mail from Eureka, Nevada, to Tybo, Nevada.

[Passed February 27, 1883.]

      Whereas, The rapid development of agricultural, mining and other industries in that part of Nye county lying south of Eureka is attracting a large number of settlers in addition to the present population; and

      Whereas, The prosperous condition of this section is receiving the benefits of extensive foreign capital, invested in mining and other property; and,

      Whereas, The postal delivery in the territory to be accommodated by the establishment of this route embraces a population of over two thousand engaged in mining, agricultural, stock raising and other pursuits; and,

      Whereas, The present circuitous route with the postoffices thereon are distant from the centers of population, inconvenient, and at certain seasons of the year wholly inaccessible from the depth of snow on intervening mountain ranges; and,

Eureka to Tybo.

Foreign capital.

Population.

Inaccessibility from snow.

Mail facilities.

Resolutions

inconvenient, and at certain seasons of the year wholly inaccessible from the depth of snow on intervening mountain ranges; and,

      Whereas, The banking and business communications required by the residents of the territory herein described are by the present mail facilities delayed, to the great inconvenience and detriment of said residents; therefore, be it

      Resolved by the Senate, the Assembly concurring, That our Senators in Congress be instructed and our Representative be requested to urge upon the Postoffice Department the immediate need of a tri-weekly mail from Eureka, Eureka county, Nevada, via Fish Creek, Morey and Hot Creek, to Tybo, in Nye county, Nevada; and, be it further

      Resolved, That His Excellency, the Governor, be requested to forward a copy of these resolutions to the Postmaster General and to each of our representatives in Congress by registered mail.

Constitutional amendment

No. XI.–Senate Concurrent Resolution relative to amending the Constitution of the State of Nevada.

[Passed February 27, 1883.]

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

      Amend Section 2 of Article IV. of the Constitution of the State of Nevada so as to read as follows:

      Section Two.  The session of the Legislature shall be biennial, and shall commence on the first Monday of February next ensuing the election of members of the Assembly, unless the Governor of the State shall, in the interim, convene the Legislature by proclamation.

No. XII.–Judiciary Committee Substitute for Senate Concurrent Resolutions Nos. 11 and 16, proposing amendments to Section 1, Article II., of the State Constitution.

[Passed February 28, 1883.]

      Resolved by the Senate, the Assembly concurring, That Section 1 of Article II. of the Constitution of the State of Nevada be amended to read as follows:

      Section One.  Every native male citizen of the United States and every naturalized male citizen who shall have been a citizen of the United States at least six months next preceding any election (not laboring under the disabilities named in this Constitution), of the age of twenty-one years, who shall have actually and not constructively resided in the State one year and in the district or county ninety days next preceding any election, shall be entitled to vote for all officers that now are or hereafter may be elected by the people, and upon all questions submitted to the electors at such election; provided, that no person who has been or may be convicted of treason or felony in any State or Territory of the United States, unless restored to civil rights, and no person convicted of the offense of selling his vote at any general or special election held within this State, and no idiot or insane person shall be entitled to the privilege of an elector.

Constitutional amendment

No. XIII.–Senate Joint Resolution relative to the preservation of the National Park.

[Passed February 28, 1883.]

      Whereas, It is apparent from recent efforts which have been made, that a number of private individuals are seeking a lease for a long term of years of the National or Yellowstone Park; and

      Whereas, Said park is regarded as the only preserve which can ever effectually save to the nation a remnant of our rapidly disappearing native game; and

      Whereas, Said lease is unquestionably sought only as a means of private gain and will result in destroying its chief attraction and its national value and importance; and

      Whereas, Most of our sister States have protested against said leasing or any other perversion of its original purposes; therefore be it

      Resolved by the Senate, the Assembly concurring, That our Senators and Representative be requested to use their utmost endeavors to prevent said or any other lease of said National Park, and that we protest against its being allowed to pass from the control of the General Government.

      Resolved, That the Governor be and he is hereby requested to forward immediately a copy of these resolutions to each of our members of Congress and to the Secretary of the Interior.

Opposing lease of Park.

Resolutions

Commutation of sentence.

Resolution.

No. XIV.–Senate Concurrent Resolution.

[Passed February 28, 1883.]

      Whereas, The last Legislature of this State enacted a law granting to all prisoners confined in the State Prison commutation of sentence for good conduct as follows, namely: A deduction of two months in each of the first two years; three months in each of the next two years, and four months in each of remaining years of their respective terms; and

      Whereas, The Supreme Court has decided that the law, so far as it applies to prisoners sentenced prior to its enactment is unconstitutional; and

      Whereas, It is impossible to frame a law in accordance with the Constitution of the State which would operate uniformly in this respect; and

      Whereas, It is but justice that such uniformity should exist; be it

      Resolved by the Senate, the Assembly concurring, That we recommend to the Board of Pardons that it take into consideration the matter of the record of prisoners sentenced prior to enactment of said Act, and exercise its pardoning powers in accordance with its letter and spirit.

Constitutional Convention

Resolution.

No. XV.–Senate Concurrent Resolution relative to submitting to the people of the State the question of calling a Constitutional Convention.

[Passed February 28, 1883.]

      Whereas, By the second section of Article XVI. of the Constitution of the State of Nevada it is provided that a revision of the entire Constitution may be made; and

      Whereas, It is absolutely necessary that such revision should be made for the purpose of reducing the expenses of the government; therefore be it

      Resolved by the Senate, the Assembly concurring, That we recommend to the electors at the next election for members of the Legislature to vote for or against a convention for the purpose of revising the Constitution of the State of Nevada. And it shall be the duty of the Governor, by his proclamation, and the several Boards of County Commissioners of the several counties of this State, to submit the question of calling a Constitutional Convention to a vote of the people at the next general election.

No. XVI.–Senate Concurrent Resolution relative to Constitutional Amendment.

[Passed February 28, 1883.]

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

      Amend Article XVI. of the Constitution of the State of Nevada so as to read as follows:

      Section 1.  Any amendment or amendments to this Constitution may be proposed in the Senate or Assembly, and if agreed to by a vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each House, such proposed amendment or amendments shall be entered on the respective journals of each House with the yeas and nays taken thereon. Any amendment or amendments agreed to by the Legislature, as provided in this section, shall be published for three months next preceding the time for electing the next Legislature, and shall be submitted to the people at the time for electing the next Legislature in such a manner as the Legislature agreeing to such amendment or amendments shall prescribe; and if the people shall approve and ratify such amendment or amendments by a majority of the electors voting for members of the Legislature at such election, such amendment or amendmends shall become part of the Constitution.

      Sec. 2.  If at any time the Legislature, by a vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each House, shall determine that it is necessary to cause a revision of this entire Constitution, they shall recommend to the electors in such manner and at such time as the Legislature shall prescribe, to vote for or against a convention; and if it shall appear that a majority of the electors voting at such election shall have voted in favor of calling a convention, the Legislature shall at its next session provide by law for calling a convention, to be holden within six months after the passage of such law; and such convention shall consist of a number of members not more than that of both branches of the Legislature, and not less than one-half of that number. The Constitution adopted by such convention must be submitted to and ratified by a vote of the people.

Constitutional amendment

Convention

Relative to lands.

No. XVII.–Senate Concurrent Resolution relative to an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Nevada.

[Passed February 28, 1883.]

      Resolved by the Senate, the Assembly concurring, That Section three, of Article XI. of the Constitution of the State of Nevada, be amended so as to read as follows:

      Section Three.  All lands, including the sixteenth and thirty-sixth sections in every township, donated for the benefit of public schools, in the Act of the thirty-eighth Congress to enable the people of the Territory of Nevada to form a State Government, the thirty thousand acres of public lands granted by an Act of Congress approved July second, A. D. eighteen hundred and sixty-two, for each Senator and Representative in Congress, and all proceeds of lands that have been or may hereafter be granted or appropriated by the United States, to this State, and also the five hundred thousand acres of land granted to the new States under the Act of Congress distributing the proceeds of the public lands among the several States of the Union, approved A. D. eighteen hundred and forty-nine; provided, that Congress make provisions for, or authorize such diversion to to be made for the purpose herein contained, all estates that may escheat to the State, all of such per cent. as may be granted by Congress on the sale of lands, all fines collected under the penal laws of this State, all property given or bequeathed to the State for educational purposes, and all proceeds derived from any or all said sources, shall be and the same are hereby solemnly pledged for educational purposes, and shall not be transferred to any other fund for other uses, and the interest thereon shall, from time to time, be apportioned among the several counties in proportion to the ascertained number of the persons between the ages of six and eighteen years in the different counties, and the Legislature shall provide for the sale of floating land warrants to cover the aforesaid lands, and for the investment of all proceeds derived from any of the above mentioned sources, in United States bonds or bonds of this State, or the bonds of such other State or States as may be selected by the boards authorized by law to make such investments; provided, that the interest, only, of the aforesaid proceeds, shall be used for educational purposes, and any surplus interest shall be added to the principal sum; and provided further, that such portions of said interest as may be necessary may be appropriated for the support of the State University

No. XVIII.–Senate Joint Resolution relative to granting pay to Fitz-John Porter during the period he was deprived of his rank in the United States army.

[Passed February 28, 1883.]

      Whereas, General U. S. Grant and many other distinguished military commanders, whose loyalty to their government has never been questioned, have declared that Major-General Fitz-John Porter was convicted of disobedience of orders on mistaken testimony; and

      Whereas, This is the verdict of American and foreign writers who have written the history of the war of the rebellion; and

      Whereas, The Honorable Senate of the United States has voted to restore to the rolls of the army the name of Fitz-John Porter; and

      Whereas, To establish justice was among the objects for which the American Union was formed; and

      Whereas, That when wrong has been done, whether by an individual or by the nation, nothing short of the fullest reparation should be made to the party wronged; and

      Whereas, General Porter, having been declared innocent of the grave charges upon which he was convicted, is entitled to relief from his government for having suffered for more than twenty years from an undeserved stigma; therefore, be it

      Resolved by the Senate and Assembly conjointly, That by way of partial restitution, he should be allowed his pay as an officer of the army during the time he was unjustly deprived of his rank.

      Resolved, That our Senators and Representative in Congress be requested to render all honorable aid to secure the objects herein expressed.

      Resolved, That the Governor be requested to transmit copies of this resolution and preamble to the President of the United States and to our Senators and Representative in Congress.

Relative to pay of Fitz-John Porter.

Resolutions

Need of amending Constitution

Political parties.

Joint committee.

No. I.–Assembly Joint Resolution.

[Passed January 10, 1883.]

      Whereas, The propriety and need of amending our State Constitution has been discussed for several years past with a view to reducing taxation, lessening expenditures, changing our form of judiciary, simplifying routine work in State departments and county governments, and to inaugurate such other measures as would benefit the people generally; and

      Whereas, Both political parties, in their State Conventions of 1882, so understood and believed in this public sentiment as to embody in their respective platforms special planks directly relating to this subject; therefore be it

      Resolved by the Assembly, the Senate concurring, That a joint committee of five, three from the Assembly and two from the Senate, be appointed for the purpose of considering and reporting upon the advisability of amending the Constitution or calling a Constitutional Convention.

Lamoille Valley.

No. II.–Assembly Joint Resolution relative to a weekly mail from Elko, Elko county, Nevada, to Lamoille Valley, in said county and State.

[Passed January 15, 1883.]

      Whereas, Lamoille Valley is one of the largest, most populous, and most important precincts in Elko county, polling at the last election nearly one hundred votes, with a fair prospect of doubling it at the next election; and

      Whereas, Said valley is situated about twenty miles southeast of Elko, the county seat, and that there is now no mail facilities whatever for the accommodation of the people between the said Lamoille Valley and the county seat, and the Central Pacific Railroad running through said county; and

southeast of Elko, the county seat, and that there is now no mail facilities whatever for the accommodation of the people between the said Lamoille Valley and the county seat, and the Central Pacific Railroad running through said county; and

      Whereas, The growing business between the agricultural portions of said county and the balance of said county and of the State are not sufficiently accommodated by the present postal communications; therefore,

      Resolved by the Assembly, the Senate concurring, That our Senators be instructed and our Representative be requested to urge to the best of their ability the passage of an Act of Congress authorizing the transportation of a weekly mail from the town of Elko, Elko county, Nevada, to the said Lamoille Valley, Elko county, Nevada.

      Resolved, That His Excellency the Governor of the State of Nevada be, and he is hereby respectfully requested to forward to the Postmaster-General at Washington, D. C., and to each of our Senators and Representative in the House of Representatives a copy of the above resolutions.

Situation, no mail facilities.

Growing business.

Resolutions

No. III.–Assembly Memorial and Joint Resolution relative to establishing a mail route from Hawthorne to Mount Cora, in the State of Nevada.

[Passed January 22, 1883.]

      Whereas, The population at and in the immediate vicinity of Mount Cora, in Esmeralda county, Nevada (distant twelve miles from Hawthorne, in said county, the place of the nearest postoffice to said Mount Cora), is now about one hundred, and is rapidly increasing; and

      Whereas, There have been rich and valuable mines of gold and silver developed at and near said Mount Cora, giving evidence of permanency and continued necessity for mail facilities; therefore, be it

      Resolved, That our Senators and Representative in Congress be, and they are hereby, requested to urge upon the Postoffice Department the necessity of establishing a tri-weekly mail route from Hawthorne to Mount Cora, in Esmeralda county, Nevada, and a postoffice at said Mount Cora, at the earliest practicable time, to meet the growing requirements of the people of Mount Cora and vicinity.

      Resolved, That His Excellency, the Governor, be requested to forward to the Postoffice Department at Washington City, and to each of our Senators and Representative in Congress a certified copy of the foregoing memorial and resolution.

Mount Cora

Mines, mail facilities.

Resolutions

in Congress a certified copy of the foregoing memorial and resolution.

Navigation of.

Navigable to, during high water.

Navigable all seasons of the year, how made.

Mines, lands, settlements.

Obstruction

Nevada’s modesty.

Resolutions

No. IV.–Assembly Joint Memorial and Resolution to the Congress of the United States relative to a national appropriation for improving the navigation of the Colorado river.

[Passed February 1, 1883.]

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

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

      Whereas, The Colorado river is a portion of the boundary between the United States and Mexico, and its navigation in case of war would be of paramount importance in the protection of our territory and our people; and,

      Whereas, It is now navigable to the junction of the Virgin and Colorado at Rioville, during the higher stages of water; and,

      Whereas, At the proportionately small outlay asked by your petitioners, the said Colorado river could be made, by the removal of obstructions, navigable during all seasons of the year for light tonnage craft of all kind to a point thirty miles above Rioville, which is verified by the actual inspection of members of this body, and can be by any practical and unprejudiced engineer; and,

      Whereas, There are on both sides of the said river mines of gold, silver, copper and other valuable metals, and in the interior large tracts of agricultural and grazing land along the course of said stream, between the points above named, which are now sparsely settled and unproductive owing to the cost and difficulties of transportation, and which would become valuable land if said stream were made navigable; and,

      Whereas, The principal obstructions to the navigation of said stream lie between a point thirty miles above Rioville and Fort Yuma, and consist principally of rock and drifts and sand bars which could be readily removed without any great expense, as measured by the benefits to be derived; and,

      Whereas, Nevada has never asked or never received any aid towards improving the rivers in or bordering upon our State; therefore, be it

      Resolved, That our Senators in Congress be instructed and our Representative requested to use every honorable effort to secure from the General Government an appropriation of one hundred and twenty-five thousand ($125,

effort to secure from the General Government an appropriation of one hundred and twenty-five thousand ($125,000) dollars, to be used in improving the navigation of the Colorado river between Fort Yuma and a point thirty miles above Rioville, the junction of the Virgin and Colorado rivers, under the proper management of competent engineers for the purpose of making said stream permanently navigable between the points above named.

      Resolved, That His Excellency, the Governor of Nevada, be requested to forward a copy of this resolution to the Honorable the Secretary of the Interior, to each of our Senators and Representative in Congress, to the Governor of California, the Governor of Arizona and the Governor of Utah, requesting their hearty support and earnest co-operation in obtaining said appropriation for the benefit of each of the said States and Territories.

No. V.–Assembly Joint Resolution relative to granting pensions to the surviving veterans of the Mexican War.

[Passed January 30, 1883.]

      Whereas, More than thirty-five years have passed since the commencement of the war of the United States with Mexico, which memorable struggle terminated, not only in the complete success of American arms, but in the acquisition by the General Government of a vast expanse of territory in the West, of unparalleled richness in mineral and other resources, which has added to the general wealth of the nation, as well as sure means of protection on its western confines; and

      Whereas, Many of the veterans of said war, who bared their bosoms to foreign bullets and steel, and endured the dangers and hardships incidental to the field, in an uncongenial climate, that they might bring about these glorious results, are now far advanced in the evening of life, are fast fading away, and generally in a decrepit state or impoverished circumstances; therefore be it

      Resolved by the Assembly, the Senate concurring, That our Senators be instructed and our Representative requested to use all honorable efforts to secure the passage by Congress of an Act granting pensions for life to all surviving veterans of the Mexican war, who were honorably discharged from the service of the United States.

      Resolved, That His Excellency, the Governor, be and is hereby requested to forward a certified copy of this memorial and these resolutions to each of our Senators and our Representative in Congress.

Preamble.

Resolutions

rial and these resolutions to each of our Senators and our Representative in Congress.

Eldorado Canyon to San Bernardino.

Resolutions

No. VI.–Assembly Joint Memorial and Resolution relative to establishing a mail route from Eldorado Canyon, Lincoln county, State of Nevada, to San Bernardino, State of California.

[Passed January 30, 1883.]

      Whereas, The mail facilities from Eldorado Canyon, Lincoln county, State of Nevada, to San Bernardino, State of California, are inadequate to accommodate the growing settlements in the southern portion of this State in their communication and intercourse with the people of San Bernardino, State of California; therefore be it

      Resolved, That our Senators and Representative in Congress be and are hereby requested to urge upon the Postoffice Department the importance of establishing a weekly mail route from Eldorado Canyon, Lincoln county, State of Nevada, via Las Vegas, Pah Rump, Resting Springs, Borax Works, and thence to Calico Mining District and San Bernardino, San Bernardino county, State of California.

      Resolved, That His Excellency, the Governor, be requested to forward to the Postoffice Department at Washington City, and to each of our Senators and Representative in Congress, a copy of the foregoing resolution.

No. VII.–Assembly Joint Memorial to the Legislature of California in relation to the boundary line between the States of California and Nevada.

[Passed January 31, 1883.]

To the Legislature of California:

      Your memorialists, the Legislature of Nevada, in biennial session of 1883, respectfully present and show that,

      First-No part of the boundary line between California and Nevada is defined by natural objects.

      Second-That when practicable such definition of boundary lines is preferable.

      Third-That as said boundary line is now defined a considerable portion of California lies east of the summit of the Sierra Nevada mountains, and almost wholly among the mountains of the eastern slope.

siderable portion of California lies east of the summit of the Sierra Nevada mountains, and almost wholly among the mountains of the eastern slope.

      Fourth-That the people of said portion of California are, by natural obstacles, almost cut off from intercourse with the remainder of said State during a large portion of nearly every year; and such intercourse as said population does have at such times with the different departments of the State government is, as a rule, had through Carson City, the Capital of Nevada, at very great expense of time, convenience and money.

      Fifth-That the people residing in said portion of California can most naturally and economically be accommodated, so far as State government is in question, by being set off to Nevada, giving them as their seat of government the city they now pass through to get to Sacramento, the Capital of California.

      Sixth-That the convenience of the people (of so large an extent of territory as is here in question) ought to control in arranging their governmental status, so far as relates to State lines.

      Seventh-That we believe a very great majority of the people of said portion of California, if left to their own choice, would unite with Nevada.

      Eighth-That a cession by California of said territory to Nevada would be in no sense detrimental to the former State, and would be of inestimable benefit to the people of said territory.

      Ninth-That a proper method of arriving at justice in the premises would be to submit the question to the popular vote of the electors of said territory, and abide their decision at the ballot box. Your memorialists, therefore, most respectfully request that you pass an Act, during your current session, submitting the question to the qualified electors of said territory at an early special election, to be holden for that purpose, as to whether the same shall be ceded to and become a part of the State of Nevada, as contemplated by Article XVI. of her Constitution; said territory being all of the State of California lying east of the summit of the Sierra Nevada mountains and north of the 35 parallel of latitude; and to enact that, in case such election shall result in an expression favorable to such cession, by a majority of said electors, such cession be thereupon considered as made and effective.

Contemplates a cession by California to Nevada of that portion of California lying west of the summit of the Sierra Nevadas.

Opposes Senator Logan’s bill permitting Chinese in Cuba to pass through the U. S. on the way to China.

Resolutions

No. VIII.–Substitute for Assembly Joint Resolution relative to instructing our Senators and requesting our Representative in Congress to oppose the bill introduced by Hon. John A. Logan, for an Act to permit Chinese now in Cuba to return to their homes across the United States.

[Passed February 1, 1883.]

      Whereas, John. A. Logan, Unites States Senator, has introduced a bill in Congress for an Act to permit certain Mongolians, now in Cuba, to return to China via the United States; and

      Whereas, Such a law as said bill proposes would greatly impair the benefits to arise from the Act of Congress of eighteen hundred and eighty-two, restricting Chinese immigration, and result in the unlawful addition of many thousands of Asiatics to that character of population, now so unwelcome and unjustly among our people, because once admitted into the interior of our country, their similarity of person and of dress, and their peculiar habits and cunning enable them to remain without possibility of detection and expulsion; and

      Whereas, It is most desirable to be relieved of those now here, without future addition; therefore,

      Resolved by the Senate and Assembly of Nevada conjointly: That our Senators in Congress be instructed and our Representative requested to use all honorable means to defeat the passage, and if passed, the approval of said Logan bill.

      Resolved further, That His Excellency, the Governor, is hereby requested to forward, at his earliest convenience, a copy of the foregoing to each of our Senators and Representative in Congress.

Relative to depositing sawdust in the Truckee river, its injury to fish and lands.

No. IX.–Assembly 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 February 5, 1883.]

      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

      Whereas, The waters of said lakes and river are teeming with trout and food fishes; and

      Whereas, At certain seasons of the year, the trout in great numbers 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, happiness and welfare of a large 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 agriculture purposes; and

      Whereas, A large portion of the available agricultural land of this State, along the line of said river has already been rendered absolutely valueless, and said river has been rendered almost valueless as a fish-producing stream because of the premises aforesaid; and

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

      Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate 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

Resolutions.

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.

Red Canyon mineral developments

Mail facilities.

Resolutions

No. X.–Assembly Joint Memorial and Resolution relative to the establishment of a mail route from Genoa, Douglas county, Nevada, to the “Alda Mill,” in Douglas county, Nevada.

[Passed February 7, 1883.]

      Whereas, The rich mineral developments in the camp known as “Red Canyon” and vicinity, the large amount of capital invested in mines and mills and the working of the same, the consequent rapidly increasing population and close business relations of this place with Genoa, the county seat of Douglas county, the county wherein the above mining camp is situated; and

      Whereas, The mails at the present time are carried by and at the expense of individuals from said Genoa, a distance of twenty-five miles; and

      Whereas, The citizens of said district require and demand mail facilities; therefore be it

      Resolved, That our Senators and Representative in Congress be and are hereby requested to urge upon the Postoffice Department the necessity of establishing a weekly mail route between Genoa, Douglas county, Nevada, and the “Alda Mill,” in Red Canyon Mining District, Douglas County, Nevada.

      Resolved, That the Governor be and is hereby directed to transmit to each of our Senators and Representative in Congress, a certified copy under seal of the State of the foregoing preamble and resolution.

No. XI.–Assembly Joint Memorial and Resolution.

[Passed February 10, 1883.]

The People of the State of Nevada, represented in Senate and Assembly, do memorialize the Congress of the United States as follows:

      Your memorialists, representing the miners and producers of silver bullion in Nevada, earnestly request such change in the coinage laws as will permit the miners and producers of silver bullion to deposit the same at the United States mints, and to receive full equivalent in 412 1/2 grain dollars for the silver bullion deposited, free of charge. The price of silver bullion produced in Nevada is controlled and regulated altogether by the London quotations. The discount upon silver bullion at present quotations is 20.79 cents a fine ounce, or over sixteen (16) per cent. of the value. The present discount on the silver falls directly and only upon the producers. By a report of the Honorable Secretary of the Treasury, dated April twenty-eight, eighteen hundred and eighty-two, it appears that the profit on the coinage of the standard silver dollar at all the coinage mints from the commencement of the coinage of the dollar in July, eighteen hundred and seventy-eight, to June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and eighty-one, aggregates $10,081,496 31. This amount represents during the above period a loss to the producers only of the above amount. There can be no valid reason given for discriminating against the coinage of silver and in favor of gold, and we demand such change as will place the producers of both gold and silver on equal and exact terms.

      Your memorialists therefore do hereby most respectfully urge such action on your part as will relieve the miners, and thus revive a struggling industry, and as in duty bound they will ever pray.

      Resolved, That our Senators in Congress be instructed and our Representative requested to use all honorable means to the end that such change be made in the coinage laws as will abate the hardships complained of.

      Resolved, That His Excellency, the Governor, be requested to speedily transmit a copy of the foregoing to each of our Senators and Representative in Congress, and also to the Governor of each State and Territory that is engaged in mining and producing silver bullion, with a request that the same be presented to the Legislatures for joint appeals to Congress for the relief prayed for.

Request change in the Coinage law.

No discriminations.

Relief to miners.

Resolutions

Relates to tariff on silver bullion.

Resolutions

No. XII.–Assembly Joint Memorial and Resolution relative to Congress placing a protective tariff on silver bullion.

[Passed February 27, 1883.]

The People of the State of Nevada, represented in Senate and Assembly, do memorialize the Congress of the United States as follows:

      Whereas, The Congress of the United States has placed a high protective tariff upon the foreign importation of iron, copper and other valuable metals, thereby protecting home industries and home products against foreign competition; and

      Whereas, Mining for silver is the leading industry and paramount interest in nearly all of the great States and territories, which embrace within their boundaries all that vast region extending from the eastern spurs of the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast, therein affording employment to thousands of the most worthy and enterprising of our fellow citizens, therefore your memorialists do most respectfully urge Congress to enact such laws as are necessary to place a tariff on all foreign importations of silver, and to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to adjust the tariff to exactly correspond with the discount on silver, that in the event of the free coinage of the same the prosperity of the country shall not be imperiled by the unrestricted importation of this metal, and for this they will every pray.

      Resolved, That our Senators in Congress be instructed, and our Representative requested, to use all honorable means to secure the enactment of such laws as are herein indicated.

      Resolved, That His Excellency, the Governor, be requested to speedily transmit a copy of the foregoing to each of our Senators and Representative in Congress, and also to the Governor of each State and Territory engaged in mining and producing silver bullion, with the request that the same be presented to the respective Legislatures for joint appeals to Congress for the relief herein prayed for.

No. XIII.–Assembly Memorial and Joint Resolution relative to Government buildings.

[Passed February 28, 1883.]

      Whereas, By Act of Congress the District and Circuit Courts of the United States for the State of Nevada are required to hold their sittings in Carson City, now the Capital of the State of Nevada; and,

      Whereas, There is not in said Carson City a building or rooms of sufficient capacity or suitable for holding the sessions of said Courts; therefore,

      Resolved, That our Senators and Representative in Congress be and are hereby requested to ask of the General Government an appropriation of seventy-five thousand dollars for the purpose of erecting in Carson City a building for the accommodation of said courts and the officers thereof, as also the postoffice and land office located in Carson City.

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

U.S. Courts, where to be held.

No suitable building.

Appropriation for a public building asked for.

No. XIV.–Assembly Joint Resolution relative to amending Section 3 of Article XI. of the Constitution of the State of Nevada.

[Passed February 28, 1883.]

      Resolved by the Assembly, the Senate concurring, That Section 3 (three) of Article XI. (eleven) of the Constitution of the State of Nevada be amended so as to read as follows:

      Section Three.  All lands, including the sixteenth and thirty-sixth sections in every township, donated for the benefit of public schools in the Act of the Thirty-eighth Congress, to enable the people of Nevada Territory to form a State government; the thirty thousand acres of public lands granted by an Act of Congress, approved July second, A. D. eighteen hundred and sixty-two, for each Senator and Representative in Congress, and all proceeds of lands that have been or may hereafter be granted or appropriated by the United States to this State, and also the five hundred thousand acres of land granted to the new States under the Act of Congress distributing the proceeds of the public lands among the several States of the Union, approved A. D. eighteen hundred and forty-one; provided, that Congress make provisions for or authorized such diversion to be made for the purpose herein contained, all estates that may escheat to the State, all of such per cent.

Relative to lands.

Relative to lands.

make provisions for or authorized such diversion to be made for the purpose herein contained, all estates that may escheat to the State, all of such per cent. as may be granted by Congress on the sale of land, all fines collected under the penal laws of the State, all property given or bequeathed to the State for educational purposes, and all proceeds derived from any or all of said sources shall be and the same are hereby solemnly pledged for educational purposes, and shall not be transferred to any other fund for other uses, and the interest thereon shall from time to time be apportioned among the several counties in proportion to the ascertained numbers of the persons between the ages of six and eighteen years in the different counties; and the Legislature shall provide for the sale of floating land warrants to cover the aforesaid lands, and for the investment of all proceeds derived from any of the above mentioned sources in United States bonds, the bonds of this State or such other State bonds or other securities as may be authorized by law; provided, that the interest only of the aforesaid proceeds shall be used for educational purposes, and any surplus interest shall be added to the principal sum; and provided, further, that such portions of said interest as may be necessary may be apportioned to the support of the State University.