ON THE LAW OF MUNICIPAL CORPORATIONS BY HOWARD S. ABBOTT OF THE MINNEAPOLIS BAR LATE SPECIAL MASTER IN CHANCERY UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD RECEIVERSHIP; AND PRIVATE CORPORATIONS AND CIVIL LAW, IN THREE VOLUMES VOL. I EPO ST. PAUL: KEEFE-DAVIDSON COMPANY 1905 PREFACE. The subject of the present work is considered by the author one of great importance at the present time. To counteract the modern tendencies of governmental agents in exercising powers other than those strictly pertaining to their character, through the construction of many public works and the ownership and maintenance of enterprises usually considered private in their nature, requires an accurate and thorough knowledge of their true character and legal capacities. The extent and character of their control over public property, their power to incur indebtedness and to issue negotiable securities, their right to own and operate public utilities, are questions of the deepest personal concern to everyone. The need of a comprehensive and modern work treating of these and many allied questions with a reference to the latest adjudicated cases is regarded as a justification for the publication of the present volumes. Particular attention has been given to those subjects connected with the exercise of municipal powers which, in the opinion of the author, are of the present and greatest relative importance. An effort has been made to state in the text, concisely and accurately, the general principles applicable to a stated question and to give in the notes a reference to the cases considering the subject under which they are cited with, in many instances, an apt quotation from the decision of the court. This particular feature, it is to be hoped, will prove of great assistance to those consulting the work and not having at hand the report from which the quotation is taken. An exhaustive examination and citation of the authorities has been made, and an index has been prepared unusually full and complete. The author trusts that his work will, after more than casual examination and use, merit the approbation of the profession. Minneapolis, Minn., August 3, 1905. H. S. A. |