The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1913-05-20
MASS MEETING TO
CONSIDER CHARTER

The Chamber or Commerce has call
ed a mass meeting for Thursday even.
ing Of this week, to discuss the promo
sition of Incorporating the city. which
will be voted on June 3. Thus far
little interest has been taken in the
matter, and there are very few candi-
dates for mayor and the four commits
sioners, although next Saturday will
be the last day for fling petitions.
There has been some little opposi-
tion to the Incorporation, and the law
on bonding the city has been used as
an objection to the proposition. II has
been claimed by the opposition that
the commissioners will be able under
the charter, to plunge the taxpayers
into debt to any amount they NAV see
fit. OF course, this statement is ridicu-
lous, for several reasons. In the first
place, bonds can only be issued as now
provided by law, except in the case of
providing public utilities. In that in
stance, 90 per cent Of the qualified
voters, representing ten per cent of
the taxable property of the city, may
demand special election. Then.
again, all officials must be taxpayers.
and it is not probable that thev would
pledge their own property for bonds
without good cause.
The law on this question follows:
5 To borrow money on the credit
Of the city for corporate purposes in
the manner and to the extent allowed
by the statutes and the laws, and to
issue warrants or bonds therefor in
such amounts and forms and on such
annHifinna ba r1 g
ers shall determine; and the said
board may secure the payment of any
bonds of the city by making them a
preferred lien against the real or 9TH
er property of the city; provided,
that said city shall not issue or have
outstanding at any time bonds in an
amount in excess of 90 per cent of the
total valuation of the taxable prop
erty within its limits as shown by the
last preceding tax list or assessment
roll, nor warrants, certificates. scrip or
other evidences of Indebtedness, ex-
cepting the bonded Indebtedness in
excess of per cent OF said assessed
valuation; and provided further, that
nothing herein contained shall be con.
strued to restrain the powers of said
city as TO taxation, assessment, bor-
rowing money, contracting debts or
loaning its credit for procuring sup
plies of water. The said board shall
provide for the payment of interest
on such bonds as the same shall be-
come due and for a sinking fund for
the payment of the principal within
thirty years after issuing same. The
board shall enact an ordinance which
.Ha f..II ii -. ha
public utility proposed to be acquired
or established: the estimated cost
thereof as shown by the report provid-
ed by the board and mayor or an en-
gineer or party Heretofore appointed
by the board for that purpose; the
proposed bonded Indebtedness to be
incurred therefor; the terms, amount,
rate of interest. and time within
which redeemable and on what fund.
Such ordinance shall be published in
full at least once a week tor four sue
cessive weeks in some newspaper OF
general circulation published in the
city. At the first regular meeting OF
the board, or any adjournment there
Of, after the completion of said publi-
cation, the board shall proceed TO en-
act an ordinance for such purposes,
which shall conform in all respects to
the terms and conditions of the pre-
viously published ordinance, unless a
petition shall be presented TO II sign
ed by not less tfan 20 per cent OF the
qualified electors of the said city, as
shown by the last preceding tax list
or assessment roll, provide for a
special election upon the question OF
whether or not the proposed ordinance
shall be passed, thereupon, no such or. (
dinance shall be enacted or be valid
or effective for any purpose whatso-
ever unless at the special election call .
ed and held for the purpose, the ma /
iority Of the votes east are for the
ordinance.