Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1879-04-01
CHAPTER Ii.

An Act to detect and punish incendiarism.
approved March 8, 1879.
The people of the State of Nevada, repre-
sented in Senate and Assembly, do enact
as follows:
SECTION l. Whenever it is made to appear
by the complaint of any citizen that any build
ing or other property has been set on fire, or
attempted to be, or burned from any unknown
cause ,:or any cause not clearly accidental, it
shall be the duty of any Justice of the Peace
of the county where such fire occurred or was
attempted, and to whom such complaint hall
be made, to Immediately summon three good
and lawful citizens, who shall be house hold
ers in the county, to appear at the place of
the fire at time fixed as soon as possible to
inquire where, how and by what means the
fire originated. If any person so summoned
does not appear, the Justice shall complete
the panel by appointment from the by-stand-
ers or from citizens residing in the vicinity of
said fire.
Sec. 2. When the panel is complete the
Justice shall administer the following oath :
You and each of you solemnly swear that you
will diligently examine and inquire where,
how and by what means the fire which has
here occurred was caused, and that you will
return true verdict according to your knowl,
you. So help you God.
Sec. B. The Justice of the Peace shall
issue subpenas for witnesses retirnable at
such time and place az lie herein directs The
witnesses shall be sworn, their testimony re-
duced to writing and subscribed to by them.
SEC. 4. The jury after hearing the testi-
mony and making all needful examinations
and inquiries, shall draw up and deliver to
the Justice holding such inquest their verdict
signed by them, or, in case of disagreement,
two of them, in which they shall find and
certify when, how and by what means such
Ere was caused Said finding together with
the testimony of the witnesses shall be certi-
led by the Justice and filed with the Clerk of
The District Court of the county in which
,nch fire originated within one week there
after.
SEC. s. For purpose of investigation the
Justice and jury shall have free access to any
building or property whatsoever.
SEC. 6. If the jury shall find that any
person or persons wilfully set fire to the prop
,rty in question: or attempted to, or that rea-
onable cause exists for believing them to have |
oeen accessories thereto, unless such person |
IT persons be already in custody, the Justice |
hall issue warrant for the arrest of the per
on or persons so charged, and shall deliver
he same to any Constable in the county or
he Sheriff thereof. In such cases the JUS
ice may bind over the witnesses or any OF
hem to appear at an examination of the per-
on or persons so charged at such time and
'lace as he may direct; but nothing in this
Act shall be construed to Interfere with arrests
nd examinations, of any person charged
nth the crime of arson as now provided by
aw.
SEC 2, For the purposes of this Act the
Justice of the Peace shall have the same
ower TO enforce the attendance OF jurors and
Fitnesses when sitting as committing
magistrate.
SEC. g. The compensation for holding
UGH inquest shall be the same as now pro
ided by law for Coroners' inquests and shall
e audited and paid in like manner.