in the following form: "For proposed amendment to the Constitution relating to Legislative departments;" Against proposed amendment to the Constitution relating to Legislative department.

Approved February 27th, A.D. 1883.

CHAPTER CVII.

To amend section one, article five.

Executive department.

JOINT RESOLUTION providing for the submission to the electors of this State of an amendmeut to section one (1) of article five (5) of the Constitution.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
State of Nebraska :

SECTION 1. That the following amendment to section one (1) of article five (5), entitled "Executive Department," of the Constitution of the State of Nebraska, shall be submitted to the electors of this State for their adoption or rejection in accordance with the provisions of section one (1) of article fifteen (15) of said Constitution, and an act entitled An act to provide the manner of proposing amendments to the Constitution and submitting the same to the electors of this State, approved Feb. 13th, 1877.

SECTION 1. The executive department shall consist of a governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor of public accounts, treasurer, superintendent of public instruction, attorney general, commissioner of public lands and buildings, and board of railway commissioners. The officers named in this section shall each hold his office for the term of two years from the first Thursday after the first Tuesday in Jan

uary, next after his election, and until his successor is elected and qualified; Provided, however, That the first election of said officers shall be held on the first Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in November, of 1886, and each succeeding election shall be held at the same relative time in each even year thereafter. All other officers that may be provided for by law, under the provisions of this section shall be chosen in such manner and at such times, and shall hold their offices for such length of time as may be provided by law, and shall perform such duties and receive such compensation as may be provided for by law. The governor, secretary of state, auditor of public accounts, treasurer, commissioner of public lands and buildings, and attorney general shall reside at the seat of government during their terms of office, and keep the public records, books, and papers there; and all the officers herein named shall perform such duties as may be required by

law

ballots.

SEC. 2. The ballots at the election at which said Form of amendment shall be submitted shall be in the following form, viz.: For proposed amendment to section one (1) of article five (5) of the Constitution, entitled “Executive Department." Against proposed amendment to section one (1) of article five (5) of the Constitution, entitled "Executive Department."

Approved February 28th, A.D. 1883.

CHAPTER CVIII.

Preamble.

Railroad bridges span

river.

MEMORIAL AND JOINT RESOLUTION to Congress, relating to tolls and ‹harges of railway bridge companies across the Missouri river.

To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress Assembled:

Whereas, The best interests of the public demand that the productions of this great nation, be they from the soil, mines, looms, or factories, should be given to the consumers of the same at the lowest price consistent with a fair remuneration to the producer and transportation companies for services by them rendered; and,

Whereas, It is but just alike to the people as well as ning Missouri to the persons and corporations owning and controlling the railroad briges spanning the Missouri river, that the same may be operated as a part of the respective railway companies constructing or owning such bridges; that your proper committee be by you requested to report a bill at an early day. Abolishing all bridge tolls whatever, over all railroad bridges across the Missouri river in Nebraska.

Resolved, That the secretary of state be and is hereby directed to transmit two certified copies of this memorial and joint resolution to each of our senators and members of Congress, without delay, who are hereby requested to use all honorable means to secure the enactment of the laws hereby indicated.

Approved February 26th, A.D. 1883.

CHAPTER CIX.

MEMORIAL AND JOINT RESOLUTION to Congress, relative to lands in the State of Nebraska granted to railroad companies and not taxed.

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the United States:

Whereas, The general government has made large Preamble. and generous grants of the public domain to aid in the construction of railroads in the State of Nebraska as well as other states; and,

Whereas, Certain railroad companies in the State of Nebraska have neglected to obtain patents on large portions of such lands, and have refused to pay taxes on the same; and,

Whereas, It is manifest injustice to all citizens of this State, and particularly to settlers in the immediate vicinity of said lands, who are by their industry and improvements adding value to said lands, and at the same time being unjustly taxed for the support of local and State government; therefore, be it

railroads to take out

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of To compel the State of Nebraska, That our senators and represent- patents. atives in Congress, are requested to secure such action by the heads of departments at Washington, or such legislation by Congress as will compel said railroad companies to take out the patents for said lands, so that they may be taxed, or that they may revert to the general government and be subject to the homestead and pre-emption laws.

Resolved, That the secretary of state be requested to forward to each of our senators and representatives in Congress, a copy of this memorial and joint resolution. Approved February 24th, A.D. 1883.

Preamble.

Settlement of title.

CHAPTER CX.

MEMORIAL AND JOINT RESOLUTION concerning the people of Nebraska and the lands known as the St. Joseph and Denver City R. R. Company lands.

Resolved, That whereas there are many settlers and purchasers of the public domain in the State of Nebraska, who have patents from the United States for said land, and which are now disputed by a claim from other parties, derived originally from grants of land by Congress to a certain railroad company, known as the St. Joseph and Denver City Railroad Company. (i e) (The Kneevals Land Claim.)

Whereas, such dispute of title is not only a great injury and wrong to many persons who have spent years of toil, labor, and expense upon such lands. Many of these persons filed on or homesteaded these lands between the fourteenth day of April and the twentyeighth day of March, (A.D.) 1869, after which, in due process of time the United States issued patents to the party or parties so filing on or homesteading the said land, and these party or parties with the United States patent in their possession, have sold, transferred these said lands to a third party, and the third party to the fourth party, all transfers being based upon the original United States patent, the abstract of title from the county clerk s office so showing.

Whereas, such being substantially the facts of the case, a large portion of our citizens are dissatisfied, uneasy, in trouble and anxious about the titles to their hard earned homes, therefore be it

Resolved, by the Legislature of the State of Nebraska, (in this the eighteenth session), That Congress be respectfully asked to make such speedy settlement as will settle the title and titles now in dispute, doing am