1899 private laws – Ch.148 Sec.60

That whenever the board of aldermen may determine that the welfare of the town requires the establishment of astreet railway in the town of Gastonia they shall so declare by ordinance, in which shall be set forth the amount to be expended for that purpose, which shall not exceed seventy five thousand dollars; and shall also hold an election to ascertain the will of the people as to issuing bonds for that purpose. Said election shall be held as to notice and other rules and reguiations as provided in this act for providing the town with a system of waterworks and sewerage, and those in favor of street railways shall vote a ticket on which shall be the words For a street railway, and those voting against street railways shall vote a ticket on which shall be the words Against street railways; and if a majority of the qualified voters in said town shall have voted in favor of street railways the board of aldermen shall issue bonds in denominations and to bear interest and on other terms as is provided in this act for providing the said town with a system of waterworks and sewerage, and shall levy taxes to pay said bonds and interest thereon.