SEC. 14. If any railroad, telegraph, express, or other corporation organized under any of the laws of this State, shall consolidate, by sale or otherwise, with any railroad, telegraph, express, or other corporation organized under any laws of any other State or Territory, or of the United States, the same shall not thereby become a foreign corporation, but the courts of this State shall retain jurisdiction over that part of the corporate property within the limits of the State in all matters which may arise, as if said consolidation had not taken place.
SEC. 15. It shall be unlawful for any person, company or corporation to require of its servants or employes, as a condition of their employment or otherwise, any contract or agreement whereby such person, company or corporation shall be released or discharged from liability or responsibility on account of personal injuries received by such servants or employes while in the service of such person, company or corporation, by reason of the negligence of such person, company or corporation, or the agents or employes thereof, and such contracts shall be absolutely null and void.
SECTION 1. There shall be established and maintained the office of Commissioner of Mines, the duties and salary of which shall be prescribed by law. When said office shall be established, the Governor shall, with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoint thereto a person known to be competent, whose term of office shall be four years.
SEC. 2. The General Assembly shall provide by law for the proper ventilation of mines, the construction of escapement shafts, and such other appliances as may be necessary to protect the health and secure the safety of the workmen therein, and shall prohibit the employment in the mines of children under twelve years of age.
SEC. 3. The General Assembly may make such regulations, from time to time, as may be necessary for the proper and equitable drainage of mines.
SEC. 4. The General Assembly may provide that the science of mining and metallurgy be taught in one or more of the institutions of learning under the patronage of the State.
SEC. 5. The water of every natural stream, not heretofore appropriated, within the State of Colorado, is hereby declared to be the property of the public, and the same is dedicated to the use of the people of the State, subject to appropriation as hereinafter provided.