The Springdale news., 1912-09-06
MANY SAFEGUARDS ABOUT AMENDMENT
Restrictions Placed About Right of Cities and Towns 10
 Issue Bonds.
PEOPLE VOTE ON QUESTION
Each Proposed Bond Issue Must Be Submitted at Election Held for
 That Purpose.

So many safeguards have been plac- ed about the proposed constitutional Amendment No 15, which will give cities and incorporated towns of more than 1000 population the right to is sue bonds for public improvements, that virtually no criticism has been made of the provisions of the measure.
 Amendment No. 15 first restricts the purposes for which bonds may be is sued. It provides that bonds can be issued to secure money only for pabli2 improvements of general nature improvements which will be of use and benefit to all the residents of the city or town proposing to spend the money. Bonds can be issued for the construc- ton of public highways, streets, al leys, and boulevards: for the pur- chase and equipment of parks and playgrounds, for the construction of sanitary or drainage sewers: for the purchase and construction of cit halls, prisons, libraries, hospitals, fire sta tions and equipment viaducts and bridges, for public buildings Of all kinds for the purchase or construc- tiea of Waterworks. lighting plants and street railways, but it is specifl- eally provided that bonds shall not Ue issued to aid in the construction of railroads or enterprises operated by any private corporation. It is fur her provided that no money raised for a specific purpose shall be used for any other or different purpose.
 The most important safeguard. how ever, is that which prevents the is suance Of any bonds unless the peo- pie of the city or town order that they be issued. The ado ptioH of Amend. ment No. l5 when it is submitted 10 the people of the state on September 2. will not open the way to the is suance of any bonds until the voters of city or town decide that they wish 10 raise money i'll that way for public improvements, 4 bond issue can be authorized only at an election held for that specific purpose In the first place he eity coaneil must pass an ordinance setting forth the specific purpose for which the bonds are 10 be issued. if approved by majority of the voters The ordinance must also state the sum total of the bonds 10 ho issued, and the dates of fheir matur. itX. and must fix the date of the etec- tion so that it will not occur earlier than 60 days after the adoption of the ordinance
 The mayor is required to give notice of the election hy an advertisement appearing at least four times in some newspaper published in the city the last publication to be not less than 3e days before the election
 Further safeguards are provided af Ter the voters have cast their ballots The amendment provides thal the votes shall be convassed by the mayor and the Board of Public Affairs. if there be a Board of Public Affairs. II there is no Board of Public Affairs, tho votes shall be canvassed by the mayer and by three qualified electors of the city who are owners of property Y and whe shall be selected by the eoun- ty judge of the county in which the city or town is located.
 The amendment also provides that the election must be held al the same precincts and with judges and clerks az other city elections are held, and under the general election laws The object of those who drafted the amend ment, it is declared WAS to make il not only possible but certain that the public should be thoroughly advised through all proper channels of the time of the election, the places where the polls will be located and the pur pose to which the proceeds of the pro posed bond issue. if voted, will he ap piled.