Wyoming State Constitutional Convention 1889

The Wyoming Constitution Convention began September 2, 1889 without the authorization from an enabling act. The articles were individually voted on, creating the final Constitution of Wyoming on September 30, 1889. It was later ratified on November 5, 1889.

The Convention

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Document introduced in:

Session 5641: 1889-09-10 10:00:00

Propositions were presented by members of the Convention and referred to their respective committees. The Rules of the Convention were taken up. Reports of standing committees were then presented.

Document View:

Limitation on Public Indebtedness [File No. 54, Convention]

There are 0 proposed amendments related to this document on which decisions have not been taken.

[Editor's Note: We are missing section 6 of the text.]

Sec. 1 The State of Wyoming shall not in any manner, create any indebtedness exceeding on per centum on the assessed value of the taxable property in the state as shown by the last general assessment for taxation preceeding; except to suppress insurrection or to provide for the public defense.

Sec. 2 No debt shall, in any manner, be created in the state of Wyoming unless the proposition to create such debt shall have been submitted to a vote of the people, and by them approved: except to suppress insurrection, or to provide for the public defense.

Sec. 3 No County in the State of Wyoming shall, in any manner, create any indebtedness exceeding two per centum on the assessed value of the taxable property in such county as shown by the last general assessment, preceding it. Provided, however, that any county, city, town, village or any other sub-division thereof, in the state of Wyoming, may bond its public debt, existing at the time of the adoption of this constitution, in any sum not exceeding four per centum on the assessed value of the taxable property in such county, city, town, village, or other sub-division, as shown by the last general assessment for taxation.

Sec 4 No debt shall, in any manner, be created by any county or sub-division thereof, or any city, town or village or any sub-division thereof, in the state of Wyoming unless the proposition to create such debt shall have been submitted to a vote of the people thereof and by them approved.

Sec. 5 No city, town or village, or any sub-division thereof, or any sub-divisions of any county of the state of Wyoming shall, in any manner, create any indebtedness exceeding two per centum on the assessed value of the taxable property therein: Provided, however, that any city, town or village may be authorized to create an additional indebtedness not exceeding four per centum on the assessed value of the taxable property therein as shown by the last preceding general assessment, for the purpose of the building water tanks and sewerage therein;

[Sec 6 Missing]

Sec 7 Neither the state nor any county, city, township, town, school district or any other political subdivision shall loan or give its credit or make donations to or in aid of any individual, association or corporation, except for necessary support of the poor, nor subscribe to or become the owner of the capital stock of any association or corporation, nor shall the state engage in any work of internal improvement unless authorized by a two-thirds vote of the people.

Sec 8 No money shall be paid out of the state treasury except upon appropriation by law and on warrant drawn by the proper officer and no bills, claims, accounts or demands against the state, or any county or other political subdivision. shall be audited, allowed or paid until a full itemized statement in writing, verified by affidavit, shall be filed with the officer or officers, whose duty it may be to audit the same.

Sec. 9 No bond or evidence of indebtedness of the state shall be valid unless the same shall have indorsed thereon a certificate, signed by the Auditor and Secretary of State that the bond or evidence of debt is issued pursuant to law and is within the debt limit. No bond or evidence of debt of any county. or bond of any township or other political subdivision shall be valid unless the same have endorsed thereon a certificate signed by the county auditor, or other officer authorized by law to sign such certificate, stating that said bond, or evidence of debt, is issued pursuant to law and is within the debt limit.

Decisions yet to be taken

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