Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1895-01-20
o.,.r.or coisora.. Message.

and abounds in practical suggestions
which. IL followed by the Legislature.
will reduce the expenses OF the State
government and start Nevada ON a
new era Of prosperity.
In regard to the finances of the
State. the Governor says:
The finances OF the State are in
that satisfactory condition which an
honest. intelligent and economical
administration Of its can
not fail to establish. The State con-
tinues to do business on u cash basis,
and does not owe Ia dollar aside from
it's bonded debt to its own school
funds. This debt on January l, 1895.
amounted to sl50,OO0. as against
sls0,0OO on January /, 1891. showing
u reduction OF 100000 during the
present administration.
-Our school funds now amount to
the magnificent sum OF 81 ,30O,374 26,
exclusive OF unpaid balances on land
contracts, Of which amount Sl.130.C 600
are invested in United States four per
cent. bonds Of 1907 and Nevada State
interes:.bearing bonds; 100000 worth
Of these United States bonds were
purchased in 1894. and there is now
on hand subject to investment the
sum OF S95.65i 81
The Governor takes up the fssess.
ment of property in the several coun,
ties and while he does not anticipate
any action upon the subject by the
Legislature he desires to go on record
rs nm advocate OF State supervision
OF the equalization of property valu-
alton for the purposes OF taxation and
predicts that it is only a question OF
time when this State will be com.
PEELED to Tx upon Il plan, either
through State Board OF Equaliza,
ton, u State Assessor, or some other
supervisory method whereby the
present vicious system of u%niervalu-
alton and a high rate Of taxation can
be controlled.
He gives II table, comparing the
assessment Of all railroad property
in the State by the State Board OF AS,
SCISSORS anu Equalization for 1892 and
by the different Assessors in 1893
which shows a difference in valuation
Of S~l.SiS,5i5 80 in favor OF the AS,
sessment made by the State Board in
1892.
The Governor urges the necessity
OF Nevada joining with the other
States in securing n uniformity of
legislation in the United States and
submits n draft Of n statute to secure
n uniformity in the Acknowledgement
and execution Of written instruments.
The election laws OF the State are
discussed at length. The Governor
commends the workings OF the An
stralian ballot law and urges the pas.
sage OF Il law similar to the Purity Of
Election law Of California which he
coumends rs a brave advance toward
more honest methods in conducting
elections. He also recommends the
use OF n rubber stamp i'll the booths
for making the croSs.mark opposite
the candidates voted for, instead OF the
lead pencil. This lie says will lessen
the danger Of designating mark be-
ing placed upon the ballot.
The Governor suggests rs u further
means Of preventing bribery and
and fraudulent registering and vot-
ing that a law be enacted making it
the especial duty OF all Judges in the
State. at the first session succeeding
any and every election. to give the
election laws in special charge to the
Grand Jurors Of their Il. respective
Courts with earnest Injunction for
strict investigation of the entire sub
ject matter.
He says that complaints have come
from several counties in the State that
voters i'll the recent election had trans
feIred from county to county up to
the day Of election, and had unlaw.
fully registered and voted. Such col.
onization he declares to be in open
violation of the statutes. This evil he
claims to be due to tho laxity OF the
Registry Agents in enforcing the
registration law in regard to trans-
fers. The Governor recommends that
a Joint special committee be appoint.
cd to examine, amend, revise and cod.
lily our election laws and that the
laws when SO amended and coii.ied
be published in pamphlet FORA for
general distribution.
The Governor refers to the defeat Of
the proposed Constitutional Conven.
ton by reaGo OF the Supreme judges
having no authority to canvass tho
vote and he inclines to the belief that
the Wholesale rejection OF tho amend.
ments at the recent election was not
duo to opposition to Constitutional
revision, but due to the fact that cor.
rection and remedy by amendments is
wholly imprncticable.
Uc says 1t dnes not ;2et w1Ell him TO
advise the Legislature in this matter
but no urges that u any action DO
taken toward calling constitutional
Convention That the Legislature care.
fully guard the future by providing
IL such laws MS may be essential for
it's complete execution and secure n
perfect constitution.