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STATE PRINTING OFFICE,

CARSON CITY, NEVADA

::: : ANDREW MAUTE, SUPERINTENDENT

1901

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GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE.

STATE OF NEVADA,

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

CARSON CITY, January 21, 1901.

To the Honorable, the Members of the Senate and Assembly of the State of Nevada:

GENTLEMEN: The Constitution of the State of Nevada directs the Governor to "communicate by message to the Legislature, at every regular session, the condition of the State, and recommend such measures as he may deem expedient."

This injunction now becomes my duty to the Twentieth Session of the Nevada Legislature here assembled. I recognize that the members of your honorable bodies constitute the representatives of the people of the State, upon whom the duties and responsibilities of legislation have been both imposed and accepted for the mutual benefit of all. Coming, as you do, direct from every county, I rely upon you to signify the popular will and legislation desired by the people whom you immediately represent, and hope that you will counsel wisely together upon questions which may come before you, not only affecting your local interests, but also consider well the higher obligation of enacting measures conducive to the general welfare of the people of our Commonwealth.

In communicating to you the condition of the State at this time, I trust that you will not consider my statements as exclusively addressed to your honorable bodies, for I know that much that I may say is perfectly familiar to you all, and

if, in the discharge of this duty, I shall be able to communicate something of interest to the people who are most deeply interested in its future, my object will have been accomplished.

POPULATION.

The census report for 1900 shows that Nevada has a population of about 43,000, as against 45,000 in 1890, and 62,000 in 1880. This decrease is explained readily by the following review: From the organization of the State up to 1880, and even later, silver mining was the leading industry, but the effects of unfriendly legislation previously enacted by the Congress of the United States, whereby silver was discriminated against as a money metal, gradually rendered the pursuit unprofitable, except in cases where very high grade ores or a high percentage of gold could be found. This condition led to a decline in both silver mining and general business, which had been previously sustained by it. Our mining population, at that time quite numerous, and probably the most expert in the world, were in large numbers induced to accept employment in other States and Territories where the future seemed more permanent and promising. To this, and continued adverse legislation, may be attributed the decline of both population and wealth. The enumeration seems small, but it stands about equal to our population when the State was gladly admitted into the Union in 1864.

In this connection I wish, by positive assurance, to disabuse the minds of those beyond our borders, who by assertion insist in associating the idea of small population with expressions of poverty and inefficient Statehood. I assert that there is no State in the Union where the laws are more obediently upheld, where life and property are more secure, and order more strictly enforced, than in the State of Nevada. The wealth of the State is happily not shared in very great disproportion by our people; a large majority are well-to-do, and none are in known distress. Our State institutions compare favorably with those of other States, and are fully commensurate with the requirements and purposes intended.

In a financial sense Nevada is indebted to no one, except perhaps for small amounts against current account, which the Treasurer will pay on demand. It is true, however, that we have a so-called State debt, amounting to $242,600, which

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