The theory of state preeminence over local governments was expressed as Dillon 's Rule in an 1868 case : `` Municipal corporations owe their origin to , and derive their powers and rights wholly from , the legislature .
The theory of state preeminence over local governments was called the `` Dillon Rule '' in an 1868 case : `` Municipal corporations owe their origin to , and derive their powers and rights wholly from , the legislature .