Internal Improvements.—Section 8, Article XI, of the state constitution of Kansas, reads: "The state shall never be a party in carrying on any works of internal improvements."

By this provision Kansas escaped the heavy burden of indebtedness that fell on some of the Western and Southern states through the adoption of a so-called "liberal policy" in the construction of railroads, canals, etc. But, while the state as a unit was thus prohibited from aiding in the work of internal improvement, the legislature has repeatedly given authority to county commissioners and to municipal authorities in incorporated cities to issue bonds for internal improvements. The General Statutes of 1868 (Chapter 52) provides the method in which counties and cities might issue bonds for building bridges and erecting buildings for public purposes, said bonds to be made payable in not less than ten nor more than twenty years, but before being issued the question was to be submitted to a vote of the people.

Since that time there has been scarcely a session of the general assembly at which bills have not been introduced providing for bond issues by counties or municipalities for bridges, school houses, courthouses, waterworks, electric light plants, poor houses, jails, etc. Many of these bills have become laws, and much of the improvement of Kansas counties and cities is due to such legislation.