New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-01-30
TuR RmBBYO STATE OF NEVADA

The Convention to frame Constitution for
the new State Of Nevada terminated its laborS
the latter part Of December and the instrument
was 10 DO voted on by the people Of that Terri
tory on Monday last. At the same time. a
Member Of Congress was TO DO elected; also,
a Governor. State officers and members of the
State Legislature. In the main, the Conslitu-
ton assimlates much 10 that Of California,
with these exceptions: The article on lncor-
poratons is changed so as to do away with the
Individual Liability clause; the Jury system IS
novel. in that tho Affirmative vote Of nine out OF
twelve jurors is sufficient in rendering yer-
dict no person can become oitizen unless
by taking the oath Of allegiance to the General
Government, which, in the language OF the
article, IL declared to be paramount to oil,
and conveys expressions and sentiments of pro-
ioundc5t loyalty TO it, An article provides for
tho taxing tho mines, which, il is supposed,
will meet with strenuous opposition by the peo-
| pie; not that the miners are opposed to taxa
ton. but that they are opposed to tho State
deriving O. revenue from the mines, which
ought, and do, Of right belong to the General
! Goycrnmont. If the mines are taxed, they
should be taxed by the Federal and not by the
State Government; besides, it becomes very
| important question a. to whether the Govern
ment does not, 10 q certain extent, relnquish
is night TO tho mineral lands by allowing a
State 20 use and appropriate its preroga-
ti,cs. These are questions that will doubt
less be fully discussed when application
is made 20 Congress FOR admission under
an enabling act; and. as this IS the fir. I
of the mineral producing Territories on the
Pacific slope which comes asking such rights,
does it not behooye Congress to weigh well The
vast importance of this measure II the State
of Nevada ia admitted as one Of the States OF
the Union with a clause allowing Us State Gov.
eminent 10 tax the mines, will il not establish o
dangerous precedent Could the State of Idaho
DO denied the same privilege, provided her
people at no distant day should ask It! These
are questions Of much moment.
An article is incorporated in the Constitution
which provides that the State may loan IT. credit
TO the amount Of three millions of dollars. for
the purpose Of assisting in the construction of
the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, provided tina.
the said amount is loaned TO that portion OF the
road which first reaches and 10 completed TO the
eastern or western boundary OF the new State.
The regular sessions of the Legislature are TO
be biennial, and not TO exceed sixty days. pro-
vision Is made for extra or call sessions D. the
Governor in certain emergencies.
The mineral lands embraced within the pro-
posed new State are all on Indian territory;
and il Is questionable whether, under the pro-
visions Of the Intercourse Act, passed June 80,
1891. Congress can grant the prcroga,ives con-
tcmplaied until the Indian title has first been
extingrished by treaty or otherwise.
We make these remarks in no cayiling spirit,
but merely to point out objections that present
them- elves, in order that they mag be remediei,
or that some means may be devised to obyiatc
them. Under proper Constitution, we should
welcome Nevada into the ssterhood of States.
=. S.--We understand that the Constitution
above referred 10 has been voted down by the
n