In re Wetmore

The legislature of this state at its session in 1889 passed an act, approved March 19, 1889, authorizing the incurring of indebtedness for municipal improvements, and issuing bonds therefor by cities, towns, and municipal incorporations (Stats. 1889, p. 399), the first section of which declares that “ Any city, town, or municipal corporation incorporated under the laws of this state, may, as hereafter provided, incur indebtedness to pay the cost of any municipal improvement, or for any purpose whatever requiring an expenditure greater than the amount allowed for such improvement by the annual tax levy,” By the next section of the act it is provided that whenever the legislative branch of the municipal corporation shall determine that the public interest or necessity demands the acquisition, construction, or completion of any municipal buildings or other municipal improvements, whose cost will be too great to be paid out of the ordinary annual income and revenue of the municipality, it may call an election for the purpose of determining whether bonds of the municipality shall be issued for such improvement, and if the proposition shall receive the vote of two thirds of the voters…