The Goldfield news. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1904-1911, 1908-01-04
THE EXTRAORDINARY SESSION

ovERNoR SPARKS has issued a call converting the Nevada legislature in
extraordinary session fr the 14th # January.
This action N the part OF the sovernor vas taken after considerable
correspondence with President Roosevelt, who pointed out that the con-
stnunonal procedure. warannng him in bringing troops into h state anuci
pated hrt action o. the part Of the legislature, when possible to be assembled
asking for troops of the government IN csst there should % be ts so as
semble the legislature, because of imminent or actual instruction, lei thu %
n might call the troops But in this instance, the president argues it is pos
shle to assemble the legislature, As the danger is only anticipated, and he ad
vised the governor of tn proper procedure. The governor, acting in harmony
with the suggestion issued a call for the extra session forthwith
President Roosevelt views the situation in Nevada. much as many Of the
newspapers Of the country. which have been very severe in their criticism 81 III
state on the ground Of inadequate laws for the protection of her citizens. They
regard Nevada $ a border land hardly worthy o statehood; where life and prop
erty rights are lightly held and where every mar is a law unto himself.
And the president and or critics are not far wrong in their views. They
nov that Nevada is the only state in the union without militia. They know
n municina,n notice y maxi an nrmense at self government Thew N
that the sh@ifs omces in som of the counties are rot much else than a fence
for he protection of lawessness and that oftimes the sherif's office stands in
with the worst elements Of the community. They know that in ou courts it is
almcstim impossible to convict of murder n certain other crimes of lesser magni
tude. and that scores Of criminals are turned ut If the docket every year., for
lack Of a jury to convict. They know that or general system is entirely in
adequate to meet he needs # a growing active and feverish population, and that
for this very reason, Nevada is the rputed haven of a larger criminal popula
un, proporionately, than any other state in the union. This is the reputation
that Nevada has earned throughout the country. and justly earned; and it is n o
wonder that the president showed a little impotence that W 70 should call upon
tn government or protection without hrstt trying u enact laws to protect on
selves.
plain. We music enact laws that will guarantee protection to life and to property,
and thus invite the confidence If the people at large How this cal be done, has
beeno outlined by the governor and will be explained more fully upon h conven-
zeu M Il is then left 70 estabush a constabularly me that maintainea ; v the
state # Pennsylvania, or state rangers like IL system 50 effectively intro
duced in Texas. We are disposed to favor the former system. as it imposes more
responsibility to established authority whereas the rangers" are state officers
and have too much individual responsibility.
It must not be considered by the legislature that the legislation asked by the
governor is for the purposes If aoMhed or for any particular section of the
state, but is legislation needed and designed for the entire ante. Nevada, since
the Comstock days. may nth W. needed much law, for there wss not much state
But more recently mining camps have sprung up In every section and new camps
are being discovered almost every month, N within another two or three years.
Nevada is bound tt have several times the population of today. We music enact
laws % meet those conditions Mining states and mining communities in what
eers section Of the union. arc attractive to the toughest elements. and we must
show the country at large that we intend to cope with lawlessness and protect
life and property and make investments IS safe in Nevada al in any state in the
union.
There will be asked other legislation from this extraordinary session for the
special purposes Of Esmeralda county This county has increased mary fold in
population and business within the past four years.. The business of the courts
has overwhelmed the district court and the socket is crowded TO the extent that
it couldn't be cleared within a year without another case being filed. and occupy
ing the entire time of me Judge. But Esmeralda county is only ne Of several
counties under the n and same Judge, which makes the caee wen more vexa
tous n hopeless. Esmerlda county mus have me Judge for herr W purposes
in order to take CARGO of the business demanding attention, and it is earnestly
hoped that he legislature wint take a broad view of the situation and give this
county the relief for which she prays