MESSAGE. STATE OF NEVADA, EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATURE: In submitting this, my first biennial message, I take occasion, in the beginning, to call your attention to a proposed amendment to the State Constitution, passed by the last Legislature, the adoption of which by you, and ratification by the people, will very much facilitate the business of succeeding Legislatures, and afford great relief to the Executive Department. I refer to the amendment fixing the date of the assembling of the Legislature on the first Monday of February instead of the first Monday of January, as now established. No careful scrutiny of the reports of the several State officers to the Executive is now possible. The fiscal year ended December 31st, 1880. Obviously but general statements can be presented. For details you must be referred to the reports of the several State officers, some of which can hardly reach you in printed form before the 1st of February. The pending amendment will obviate this now necessary delay, and will involve no change in the present revenue system. I, therefore, earnestly recommend its adoption by your honorable bodies. The State in general is reasonably prosperous. Crops have been good. Our grazing interests are equally as remunerative as in the average of previous years; our resources are being developed steadily and surely; railroad communication has been, and is being, extended into remote sections; new roads are projected, and will doubtless be constructed in the near future, which will greatly aid in the development of our almost limitless mineral resources, and increase in corresponding degree our material wealth. The health of our people has been exceptionally good. We have passed through the excitement of a Presidential election without serious disorder. Peace and quiet have reigned within our borders during the past two years, with the exception of slight troubles in Eureka County, in August, 1879. There a formidable organization threatened the majesty of the law. The county authorities appealed to me for assistance; the Second Brigade was ordered to hold itself in readiness to assist the civil authorities; some trouble ensued, but was quelled by the civil officials, the fact that the military were ready to cooperate with them doubtless contributing materially to the prevention of the impending riot. In this connection I desire to commend the promptness and earnestness with which Brigadier General George M. Sabin, and the officers and men under his command, responded to the call of the Executive. Our Indian population is quiet and peaceable, and, in my judgment, no fears can reasonably be entertained from that source. The reservations provided by the Government for the Piutes and Shoshones are ample, and, from all the information I can obtain, are in a flourishing condition. The Washoes, harmless and peaceable as they are, and always have been, have never had any aid from the Government. One of their main articles of subsistence, the pine-nut, is rapidly disappearing, owing to the use of the trees by the whites in mining and for fuel; and I respectfully submit for your consideration the propriety of memorializing the Indian Department for a small annuity in their interest. Your session and action will have a very important bearing upon the future welfare of the State. We have undergone, during the past two years, a season of great business depression, owing to the reduced product of our mines. That this depression will be of limited duration, I am fully convinced. It will, however, be necessary to curtail in every reasonable way the current expenses of the State, and to determine the best methods of providing for the support of the State Government for the ensuing two years. In all proper measures looking toward economy, retrenchment, and reform, you will have the hearty coöperation of the Executive Department. FINANCES. The following synopsis will give you the general condition of the State finances at the close of the fiscal year, December, 31, 1880: Balances in the several funds after deducting all outstanding war |