Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-10-08
CONSTITUTION OF NEVADA.

tember. 1t is greatly condensed, occupying
but fraction Of the room required for the
publication of the whole document, but will
be found equally useful and far more con-
yenient for reference: ..t..
Preceding the Constitution proper il a resolu-
tiOn adopting the Constitution of the United
States and all ordinance forever prohibiting sa-
very, securing perfect religious liberation, dis
claiming forever all right and titleto unapprOpr
ated public lands, which are left TO the sole dis
position of the United States exempdng from
taxation all lands and other property Of the Uni
ted States, and declaring that lands Of non-resi-
dents shall not be taxed higher Than lands Of citi+
zens ofthe proposed State. These enactments are
made in compliance with the terms Of the Ena-
bling Act, and are declared irrevocable without
the consent of the United States and Of the people
of the State of Nevada. O.
The preamble TO the Constitution is the sane
as that of the old Constitution. 1t reads thus !:
" We, the people of the State of Nevada, CRATE;
ft1l to Almighty God for our freedom, In order TO
secure its blessings insure domestic tranquility
aud form moro perfect Government, do estab.
lish this Constitution"
ARTICLE I-DECLAHATIoS OF RIGHTS.
Section declares all men by nature freG and
equal possessing certain inalienable rights etc,
the Language of the section being merely an am.
plifcation of the Declaration of independence.
Section asserts that the doctrine Of the inhe'
rent political power of the people, and their right
to establish or change their form Of Government,
and continues: I" But the paramount allegiance
of every citizen is due TO the Federal Govern
nent in the exercise Of its constitutional pow
erS, III the same have been or may be defined by
the Supreme Court of the United States and no
power exists in the people Of this or any other
state Of the Federal Union to dissolve their con-
nection Herewith, or perform any act tending TO
impair, subvert or resist the supreme authority
of the Government of the United States. The
Constitution of the United States cOnfers full
power on the Federal Government 10 maintain
and perpetuate its existence, and whensoeyer any
portion of the States, or people thereof, attempt
to secede from the Federal Union, or forcibly re.
slst the execution of its laws, the Federal Gov.
ernment may, by warrant of the Constitution,
employ armed force in compelling obedience to
Its authority
Section 3 establishes the right Of trial by jury,
but provides that three.fourths OF q jury in any
civil case may find verdict unless the Eegisla
ture by q two-thirds vote shall require such yer.
diets 10 be unanimous
Section requires perfect religious liberation
and freedom Of conscience No person to be ex-
cluded as n witness on account of religious opin-
ions.
Section ) secures the writ of habeas corpus,
except in cases of rebellion or invasion.
Section 6 prohibits excessive bail, cruel or un-
usual punishments, etc
Section requires that all persons accused shall
be bailable, except for capital offenses.
Section g prohibits trials for crime except on
wesentment or indictment, and establishes the
usual safeguards to personal and property rights
Section 9 secures the freedom of speech and Of
the press, and allows the truth to be given in ev'
idence In actions for libel, by way classification.
Section 10 establishes the right of the people to
hold public meetings, etc.
Section II subordlnates the military TO the civil
power, prohibits standing army in time Of peace,
and limits army appropriations in time of war TO
TWO years. .-.
Section l2 forbids the bleting of soldiers.
Section l3 Representation shall be apportioned
according 10 population. ........,,
Section IA requires the exemption of a reasonable
amount of property from execution for debt, and
forbids imprisonment for debt, except in case OF
fraud, libel or SANDER.
Section Is forbids the passage Of any bill of at
tAinder, ex post facto law, or law impairng the
obligation OF contracts
Section l6 secures to foreigners, on becoming
bona tde residents, the same property rights AZ
natlve-born citizens
Section II prohibits slavery.
Section 10 protects the people against unreas-
enable searches and seizures, and restricts the is
suing of search warrants. ... s..
Section l9 defines treason against the State (as
in the United States Constitution, and requires
for conviction 1.-THE testimony of two witnesses
10 the same overt net, or confession in open Court
Section 20 reserves to the people any and all
rights not enumerated.
The most considerable change from the old
Constitution In this Article is in the paramount
allegiance clause of Section =, which in the old
Constitution read thus: But The paramount al.
legiance of every citizen Is due TO the Federal
Government and no power exists in the people
of this or any other State In the Federal Union TO
dissolve their connection Herewith, or perform
any act tending to impair, subvert or resist the
supreme authority Of the Government of the
States confers full power on the Federal Govern
ment to maintain and perpetuate its existence,
nnd whensoever any portion of the States, or peo-
pie thereof, attempt TO secede from the Federal
UnlOn or forcibly resist tho execution of Its laws,
the Federal Government may, by warrant of the
Constitution. employ armed force In compelling
obedience to its authority"
Section II of the old Constitution, prohibiting
the Legislature from granting special privileges,
etc., was stricken out. as being sufficiently provi.
ded for in the article on Legislative Department.
The words libel or slander" were inserted
In Section ID, relative to imprisonment for debt,
on account of the adoption of stringent proyi.
slOns for the prevention and punishment ofduelling
The provision in Section -, relative 10 con.
ylctions of treason, was not contained in the old
I,-.t.--....
Cohs'nu'i"H'
ARTICLE II-RlGHT OF SUFFRAGE.
Section confers the right OF sunrage on every
white male citizen of the United states, twenty
one years of age and upwards, "who shall have
actually and not cOnstructively resided in the
State six months, and in the district or county
thirty days next preceding any election ! pro.
vides that no person convicted oftreason or felony
in any State or Territory of the United States,
unless restored TO civil rights and no person who,
after arriving at the age of eighteen years, shall
have voluntarily borne arms against the United
States or held civil or military office under the
so-called Confederate States, or either OF them,
unless an amnesty be granted to such by the
Federal Government, and no idiot or insane per-
son, shall be entitled to the privilege of an elector
Section provides that no person shall be
deemed TO have gained or lost residence LOT the
purpose OF roting whlle IN the service OF the
United States, while a student in any seminary OF
learning, nor whiie kept IN any alnshouse aSy
lum or prison at the public expense. ....-
Section 3 secures the right of suffrage 70 United
States soldiers and sailors Nc poll tax or regis
traton liz required Of such voters. --...... .'.
Section prohibits arrests on civil process on
election days
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