People ex rel. Scoon v. Chicago & Alton Railroad

The city council of the city of Toluca, in Marshall county, passed an ordinance for an extensive system of sidewalks, to be paid for by special assessment. In the proceeding instituted in the county court for the purpose of assessing benefits the city was assessed $8110.14 for public benefits and the balance of the cost of the improvement was assessed to owners of property. Bonds were issued by the city for the amount assessed to it, to be paid by general taxation. The city was then indebted in excess of five percentum of the value of the taxable property therein as ascertained by the last…