The log cabin Democrat., 1912-09-04
MANY SAFEGUARDS
ABOUT AMENDMENT
Restrictions Placed About Right
OF Cities and Towns to
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. 10, 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. Il first restricts the
purposes for which bonds may be is
sued. 1t provides that bonds can be
issued to secure money only for public
improvements of a 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
Fairgrounds, for the construction Of
sanitary or drainage sewers: for the
purchase and construction of city halls
prisons, Libraries. hospitals, fire sta
tons and equipment, viaducts and
bridges, for public buildings of all
kinds for the purchase or construc
ton OF waterworks, lighting plants
and street railways, but it is specifi.
eally provided that bonds shall not be
issued to aid in the construction OF
railroads or enterprises operated by
any private corporation. 1t is turtle
provided that no money raised for
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 adoption of Amend.
ment No. > when 1t is submitted to
the people of the state on September
9, will not open the way to the is
suance of any bonds until the voters
of city or town decide that they
wish to raise money in that way for
public improvements. A bond issue
can be authorized only at an election
held for that specific purpose. In the
first place the city council must pass
an ordinance setting forth the specific
purpose for which the bonds are to be
issued, if approved by majority OF
the voters. The ordinance must also
state the sum total of the bonds to be
issued, and the dates of their matur-
ity. and must fix the date of the cleo
ton SO that it will not occur earlier
than 50 days after the adoption of the
ordinance.
The mayor is required to give notice
of the election by an advertisement
appearing at least four times in some
newspaper published in the city. the
last publication to be not less than 80
days before the election.
Further safeguards are provided al
ter the voters have cast their ballots.
The amendment provides that 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,
the votes shall be canvassed by the
mayor and by three qualified electors
of the city who are owners of property
and who shall be selected by the coun-
~ judge of the county in which the
city or town is located.
The amendment also provides that
the election must be held at the same
precincts and with judges and clerks
as 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 be ap-
piled.