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Post roads.

Location.

Right of way.

CHAPTER VI.

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

Relative to the Construction and Establishment of
Military and Post Roads across the Plains, &c., &c.

Whereas, The construction and improvement of Military and Post Roads across the Plains, and the establishment of convenient watering places, where they cross the Deserts that intervene between the Atlantic States and our eastern boundary, is of vital importance to the people of this State, and is absolutely necessary for the preservation of the lives and property of emigrants who wish to settle within our borders: Therefore,

Resolved, by the Senate and Assembly of the State of California, That our Senators be instructed, and our Representatives requested, to urge upon Congress the necessity of establishing three or more Military Roads across the Deserts, near our eastern boundary, leading into and through the northern, middle and southern portions of this State. They urge the establishment of one road from the Big Bend of the Humboldt River, through Noble's Pass, to the northern portion of the State; and one road from Salt Lake City, south of Salt Lake, to Carson Valley, and through Johnson's Cut-off to the middle portion of the State; and one to extend from the point where the Salt Lake Road enters San Bernardino County through the Tejon or Walker's Pass, to the southern portion of Tulare Valley; and one from the crossing of the Colorado River, at or near the mouth of the Gila, to San Diego.

Resolved, The right of way be, and is hereby granted to the General Government, for the location and construction of said "Road or Roads" through any portion of the territory of this State, where the location of such Military Road or Roads may be deemed necessary for the protection and convenience of the citizens of our common country.

Resolved, That the Governor of this State be, and he is hereby requested to transmit copies of these Resolutions to our Senators and Representatives in Congress.

Passed April 19, 1855.

CHAPTER VII.

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

Relative to the Establishment of an Additional
Land District in this State.

Resolved, by the Senate and Assembly, That our Senators be in- Land district. structed, and Representatives in Congress requested, to exercise their influence to procure the establishment of an additional Land District in this State, to embrace all that district of country situated between the third and eighth standard lines south, and being east of the Coast Range of mountains; and that said "Land Office" be established at the Town of Visalia, in Tulare County.

Resolved, That the Governor be requested to forward a copy of this Resolution to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress. Passed April 23, 1855.

CHAPTER VIII.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Praying an Appropriation to Open and Construct a
Military Road from the Sacramento Valley to
Crescent City.

Resolved, the Senate concurring, That our Representatives be re- Military road. quested, and our Senators instructed to use their best endeavors to pro

cure an appropriation of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, to open and construct a Military Road from the Sacramento Valley to Crescent City, via Shasta Valley.

Passed April 27th, 1855,

Bell Buoy.

Light.

CHAPTER IX.

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Praying for a Bell Buoy to be placed at the Entrance of the Harbor of San Francisco.

Resolved, the Senate concurring, That the Honorable the Secretary of the Treasury, at Washington, be requested to cause a "Bell Buoy," of the most approved kind, to be placed at the entrance of the harbor of San Francisco, in this State; and that he be also requested to take steps for the immediate erection of the Light at " Punta de los Reyes," in Marin County; both of which are deemed highly essential as collateral aids to navigation.

Passed April 27, 1855.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS

TO THE

CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE.

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The Legislature of the State of California, at its sixth session, commenced on the first day of January, A. D. 1855, propose, as amendments to the present Constitution of this State, the following:

AMENDMENT 1. Section 2 of Article 4 is amended so as to read as follows : Section 2. The sessions of the Legislature shall be biennial, and shall commence on the first Monday of January next ensuing the election of its members, unless the Governor of the State shall, in the interim, convene the Legislature by proclamation.

AMENDMENT 2. Section 3 of Article 4 is amended so as to read as follows: Section 3. The members of the Assembly shall be chosen by the qualified electors of their respective districts, on the first Wednesday of September, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, unless otherwise ordered by the Legislature, and biennially thereafter, and their term of office shall be two years.

AMENDMENT 3. Section 5 of Article 4 is amended so as to read as follows: Section 5. Senators shall be chosen for the term of four years, at the same time and place as members of the Assembly, and no person shall be a member of the Senate or Assembly who has not been a citizen and inhabitant of the State two years, and of the county or district for which he shall be chosen one year next preceding his election.

AMENDMENT 4. Section 6 of Article 4 is amended so as to read as follows: Section 6. The number of Senators shall not be less than one third nor more than one half of members of the Assembly, and, at the first session of the Legislature after this amendment takes effect, Senators shall be divided, by lot, as equally as may be, into two classes. The seats of the Senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of two years, so that one half, as nearly as may be, shall be chosen biennially.

AMENDMENT 5. Section 2 of Article 10 is amended so as to read as follows Section 2. And if, at any time, two thirds of the Senate and Assembly shall

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think it necessary to revise and change this entire Constitution, they shall recommend to the electors at the next election for members of the Legislature to vote for or against a Convention, and, if it shall appear that a majority of the electors voting at such election have voted in favor of calling a Convention, the Legislature shall, at its next session, provide by law for calling a Convention, to be holden within six months after the passage of such law, and such Convention shall consist of a number of members not less than that of both branches of the Legislature. The Constitution that may have been agreed upon and adopted by such Convention shall be submitted to the people at a special election, to be provided for by law, for their ratification or rejection. Each voter shall express his opinion by depositing, in the ballot box, a ticket, whereon shall be written or printed the words "For the new Constitution," or Against the new Constitution." The returns of such election shall, in such manner as the Convention shall direct, be certified to the Executive of the State, who shall call to his assistance the Controller, Treasurer and Secretary of State, and compare the votes so certified to him. If, by such examination, it be ascertained that a majority of the whole number of votes cast at such election be in favor of such new Constitution, the Executive of this State shall, by his proclamation, declare such new Constitution to be the Constitution of the State of California.

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The above amendments passed the Senate, by the constitutional majority, March 20, 1855, and the Assembly April 12, 1855.

The Legislature of the State of California, at its sixth annual session, convened on the first day of January, A. D. 1855, propose, as an amendment to the present Constitution of this State, the following:

AMENDMENT 1. Section 3 of Article 11 of the Constitution of the State of California is hereby amended so as to read as follows: Section 3. Members of the Legislature and all officers elected or appointed shall, before they enter on the duties of their respective offices, take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation: I, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on me as -, agreeably to the Constitution of the United States and of this State, and that, since the adoption of this amendment to the Constitution, I have not fought a duel with deadly weapons, within this State or out of it, nor have I sent or accepted a challenge to fight a duel with deadly weapons, or aided, or advised, or assisted any person thus offending, so help me God. And no other oath, declaration or test shall be required as qualification for any office of public trust.

The above amendment passed the Senate, by the constitutional majority, April 24, 1855, and the Assembly April 28, 1855.

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