that the lands belonging to citizens of the United States residing without the said State, shall never be taxed higher than the lands belonging to residents thereof, and that no taxes shall be imposed by the State on lands or property therein belonging to, or which may hereafter be purchased by the United States.

SEC. 5. That in case the constitution and State government shall be formed for the people of said territory of Colorado, in compliance with the provisions of this act, said convention forming the same shall provide by ordinance, for submitting said constitution to the people of said State for their ratification or rejection, at an election, to be held at such time, in the month of July, eighteen hundred and seventy-six, and at such places and under such regulations as may be prescribed by said convention, at which election the lawful voters of said new State shall vote directly for or against the proposed constitution; and the returns of said election shall be made to the acting governor of the territory, who, with the chief justice and United States attorney of said territory, or any two of them, shall canvass the same; and if a majority of legal votes shall be cast for said constitution in said proposed State, the said acting governor shall certify the same to the President of the United States, together with a copy of said constitution and ordinances, whereupon it shall be the duty of the President of the United States to issue his proclamation declaring the State admitted into the Union on an equal footing with the original States, without any further action whatever on the part of congress.

SEC. 6. That until the next general census, said State shall be entitled to one representative in the house of representatives of the United States, which representative together with the governor and State and other officers provided for in said constitution, shall be elected on a day subsequent to the adoption of the constitution, and to be fixed by said constitutional convention; and until said State officers are elected and qualified under the provisions of the constitution, the territorial officers shall continue to discharge the duties of their respective offices.

SEC. 7. That sections numbered sixteen and thirty-six in every township, and where such sections have been sold or otherwise disposed of by any act of congress, other lands equivalent thereto in legal subdivisions of not more than one quarter-section, and as contiguous as may be, are, hereby granted to said State for the support of common schools.

SEC. 8 That, provided the State of Colorado shall be admitted into the Union in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this act, fifty entire sections of the unappropriated public lands within said State, to be selected and located by direction of the legislature thereof, and with the approval of the President, on or before the first day of January, eighteen hundred and seventy-eight, shall be and are hereby granted, in legal subdivisions of not less than one quartersection, to said State for the purpose of erecting public buildings at the capital of said State, for legislative and judicial purposes, in such manner as the legislature shall prescribe.

SEC. 9. That fifty other entire sections of land as aforesaid, to be selected and located and with the approval as aforesaid, in legal subdivisions as aforesaid, shall be and they are hereby, granted to said State for the purpose of erecting a suitable building for a penitentiary or State prison in the manner aforesaid.

That seventy-two other sections of land shall be set apart and reserved for the use and support of a State University, to be selected and approved in manner as aforesaid, and to be appropriated and applied as the legislature of said State may prescribe for the purpose named and for no other purpose.

SEC. II. That all salt springs within said State not exceeding twelve in number, with six sections of land adjoining, and as contiguous as may be to each, shall be granted to said State for its use, the said land to be selected by the governor of said State within two years after the admission of the State, and when so selected to be used and disposed of on such terms, conditions and regulations as the legislature shall direct; Provided, That no salt spring or lands, the right whereof is now vested in any individual or individuals, or which hereafter shall be confirmed or adjudged to any individual or individuals shall by this act be granted to said State.

SEC. 12. That five per centum of the proceeds of the sales of agricultural public lands lying within said State, which shall be sold by the United States subsequent to the admission of said State into the Union, after deducting all the expenses incident to the same, shall be paid to the said State for the purpose of making such internal improvements within said State as the legislature thereof may direct; Provided, That this section shall not apply to any lands disposed of under the homestead laws of the United States, or to any lands now or hereafter reserved for public or other uses.

SEC. 13. That any balance of the appropriations for the legislative

expenses of said territory of Colorado remaining unexpended shall be applied to and used for defraying the expenses of said convention, and for the payment of the members thereof, under the same rules and regulations and rates as are now provided by law for the payment of the territorial legislature.

SEC. 14. That the two sections of land in each township herein granted for the support of common schools, shall be disposed of only at public sale and at a price not less than two dollars and fifty cents per acre, the proceeds to constitute a permanent school fund, the interest of which to be expended in the support of Common Schools. SEC. 15. That all mineral lands shall be excepted from the operation and grants of this act.

Approved March 3, 1875.

Constitution of the State of Colorado,

Adopted in Convention, March 14, 1876.

PREAMBLE.

We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, in order to form a more independent and perfect government; establish justice; insure tranquility; provide for the common defense; promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the "State of Colorado."

ARTICLE I.

BOUNDARIES.

The boundaries of the State of Colorado shall be as follows: Commencing on the thirty-seventh parallel of north latitude, where the twenty-fifth meridian of longitude west from Washington crosses the same; thence north on said meridian to the forty-first parallel of north latitude; thence along said parallel west to the thirty-second meridian of longitude west from Washington; thence south on said meridian. to the thirty-seventh parallel of north latitude; thence along said thirty-seventh parallel of north latitude to the place of beginning.

ARTICLE II.

BILL OF RIGHTS.

In order to assert our rights, acknowledge our duties, and proclaim the principles upon which our government is founded, we declare: SECTION 1. That all political power is vested in and derived from

the people; that all government, of right, originates from the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the whole.

SEC. 2. That the people of this State have the sole and exclusive right of governing themselves, as a free, sovereign and independent State; and to alter and abolish their constitution and form of government whenever they may deem it necessary to their safety and happiness, provided such change be not repugnant to the Constitution of the United States.

SEC. 3. That all persons have certain natural, essential and inalienable rights, among which may be reckoned the right of enjoying and defending their lives and liberties; that of acquiring, possessing and protecting property; and of seeking and obtaining their safety. and happiness.

SEC. 4. That the free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination, shall forever hereafter be guaranteed; and no person shall be denied any civil or political right, privilege or capacity, on account of his opinions concerning religion; but the liberty of conscience hereby secured shall not be construed to dispense with oaths or affirmations, excuse acts of licentiousness, or justify practices inconsistent with the good order, peace, or safety of the State. No person shall be required to attend or support any ministry or place of worship, religious sect, or denomination against his consent. Nor shall any preference be given by law to any religious denomination or mode of worship.

SEC. 5. That all elections shall be free and open; and no power, civil or military, shall at any time interfere to prevent the free exercise of the right of suffrage.

SEC. 6. That courts of justice shall be open to every person, and a speedy remedy afforded for every injury to person, property, or character; and that right and justice should be administered without sale, denial, or delay.

SEC. 7. That the people shall be secure in their persons, papers, homes and effects from unreasonable searches and seizures; and no warrant to search any place or seize any person or thing shall issue without describing the place to be searched, or the person or thing to be seized, as near as may be, nor without probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, reduced to writing.

SEC. 8. That, until otherwise provided by law, no person shall, for a felony, be proceeded against criminally, otherwise than by indict