Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1865-02-17
CONSTITUTION OF NEVADA.
coHsTfTUTIoN OF NEVADA

Nevada, adopted on the seventh day Of Sep
tember. II is greatly condensed, occupying
nm, /. fraction of the room required for the
publication of the whole document, but win
be found equally useful and far more con-
yenient for reference: i,
Preceding the Constitution proper Is resolu.
ton adopting the Constitution OF the United
states aud an ordinance forever prohibiting sia-
very, securing perfect religious federation, dis
claiming forever all right and title TO unappropr
ared public lands, which are left to the sole An.
position Of the United States; exempting from,
taxation ali lands and other property Of the Uni
ted States, aud declaring thar lands of nou.resi-
dents shall mot be taxed higher ihan lands Of citi-
EenS otthe proposed state. These enacsInents arr
made in compliance with the terms OF the Ens
bling Act, and are declared irreyocabls without
the consent of the United States and OF the people
ofthe State of Nevada F.f
The preamble TO the Constitution Is the same
as that Of the old Constitution IL reSus nus
We, the people of the State OF Nssau1, sLS.e-
full 10 Almighty God fer our freedom, in order TO
seears its blessings insure domestic lranqolnty
and form a more perfect GoFernmen'' 10 es'So-
iish this Constitution A'N '
ARTICLE I-DEcLARATIoN OF RIGHTS.
Section declares all men by nature flee and
eou.I ,osS,.siuc certain inalienable rights, etc,
the language of the section being merely an am
pli6ca,on OF the Declaration or Independence.
>rcriou asserts that the doctrine of the inhe-
TO establish or change their form of Government,
and continues: But the paramount allegiance
of every citizen is due t. she Federal Govern
nlent, in the exercise Of all its constitutional pow
ers, a. 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, sn6yvrss or resist the supreme authority
Of the Government Of the United States. The
Con titution of the United States eonfers full
power 90 ;he Federal Government TO maintain
and perpeJuate its existence, and whensoever any
portion ofthe States, or people thereof, attempt
10 seceds from the Federal Union. or forcibly re-
sisr the execution Of its laws, the Federal Gov
eminent may, by warrant OF the Constitution.
employ armed force in compelling obedience to
its authority" .r| ."-.
Section establishes the right OF trial by jury,
but provides that ee-fourths of jury in any
civiEes may ind verdict unless the Legisla
ture by two-thlrds vote shall require such YER
diets 10 be unanimous. . ..
section requires perfect religious liberation
and freedom of conscience. No person to be ex.
eluded as q witness on account OF religious opip-
ions. .. .- q,
section secures the writ of habeas corpus,
except in eases Of rebellion or invasion 3. -a.f
Seenon 6 prohibits excessive pail, cruel or I'M
usual punishments, etc ..E-3N 90 -
Section requires thar all persons accused shall
be bailable, except for capital ofenses.
Section prohibits trials for crime except on
presentment or indictment, aud establishes the
usualsafegusrds asto personal and property nights
Section secures the freedom of speech and of
the press and allows the truth to be given in sv'
idence in actions for libel by way classification
Section 10 establishes the right Of the people TO
hold public meetings, etc.
Section IL subordinateS the military 10 the ctvil
power, prohibits standing army IN time OF Pesees
and limits army appropriations in time OF war to
twoyearS
Section - forbids the billeting Of soldiers.
Section lS Representation shah be spPortioned
according 10 population
Section Il requires the exemption Of 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 posi- faeio law, or law imPsirinS the
obligation Of eontraets.
Section 10 secures to foreigners, on becoming
bona ide residents, the same property rights as
native-born citizens. 81 F-
Section II prohibits slavery.
Section, Is protects the people against unTeas-
enable searches and seizures, and restricts the IS
suing of search warrants.
Section 10 defines treason against the state (as
in the United States Constitution), and requires
for conviction a. the testimony of two witnesses
to thesa overt act, or confession in open Court
Section 20 reserves 20 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 2, which in the old
Constitution read thus :" But the paramount Al
leganee 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 therewilh b, or perform
any act tending 10 impair, snoveTt or resist the
supreme authority OF the Government OF the
United States. The Constitution of the United
States confers full power on the Federal Govern
nent to maintain and perpetuaie its eSistenee,
and whensoeyer any portion of the States, or peo-
pie thereof, attempt TO secede from the Feaera
ave mi M
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 proVl'
ded for in the article on Legislative Department:
The words s.iIbel or Islander" wsrs inserted
In Section IA, relative TO Imprisonment for debt.
on account Of the adoption Of stringent provi-
sions for the prevention and punishment ofdnelins
The provision in Section ~. relative TO con.
yictions of treason, was not contaned IN ,theoa
Constitution.
ARTICLE u-RIsaT OF SUFFRAGE.
Section eonf-rs the right OF suffrage on every
white mai. citizen Of the United states twenty
one years OF age and upwards, who shall have
actually and not .eousiruetively resided in the
State six months, and tn the district or county
thirty days next preceding any eleciion; pro-
yides that 10 person convicted OftreasOn or felony
In anv State or Territory of the United States,
unless restored 10 civil rights, and no person who,
after arriving ut the age Of eighteen years, shall
have voluntarily borne arms against the United
States or held civil or military Office under the
socalled Confederate States, or either Of them,
nnIpss an amnesty be granted TO such by the
FEDERAL Goyernmrut and no idiot or insane per-
SON shall be entitled to the privilege of an elec,or
Section 2 provides that 10 person shall be
deemed 10 have gained or lost residence for the
purpose of voting while in the service OF the
United States, while student in any seminary Of
learning nor while kept in any almshouse, asy-
lum or prison al the public expense.
Section secures the righ! OF suffrage to United
States soldiers and sailors. Nc poll tax or regis
tration Is required OF such voters.