52 THE FISCAL PROBLEM IN MISSOURI
deserve mention as illustrating the general theory of limi-
tations applicable in Missouri. An exception is made to the
rule denying aid to individuals in the case of pensions to
crippled and disabled firemen and payments for the relief
of the widows and minor children of deceased firemen.!
A similar exception is made in the case of the deserving
blind.2 A third proviso® authorizes the levying of an annual
state tax of not less than one half cent or more than three
cents per $100 of assessed valuation for the purpose of
establishing a pension fund for the deserving blind.
Another section? of the constitution provides that “no
county, township, city or other municipality shall hereafter
become a subscriber to the capital stock of any railroad or
other corporation or association, or make appropriation or
donation, or loan its credit to or in aid of such corporation
or association, or to or in aid of any college or institution of
learning or other institution, whether created for or to be
controlled by the State or others.” A proviso added to this
section states that nothing contained in the constitution shall
affect the right of any municipality to make such subscrip-
tion, if authorized under existing laws by a vote of the people
of such municipality prior to the adoption of the constitu-
tion. Neither is this section to be construed so as to prevent
the issue of renewal bonds or the use of other means pre-
scribed by law for the liquidation or payment of such sub-
scription or of any existing indebtedness.
The most important constitutional limitations of the
indebtedness of municipalities’ are found in Article X, Sec-
tions 12 and 12a. Section 12° consists of several general
restrictions and a number of provisos, which either authorize
additional indebtedness in certain circumstances or pre-
scribe further conditions that must be met. The general
restrictions are as follows:
1 Proviso to Article IV, Section 47, adopted in 1892.
2 Proviso to Article IV, Section 47, adopted November 7, 1916.
3 Adopted November 2, 1920.
4 Article IX, Section 6.
s City, county, town, township, school district, or other political corporation or
subdivision.
¢ This section in its present form is an amendment adopted Nov. 2, 1920, Section
12 in its previous form having been repealed at that time.
