1899 public laws – Ch.547 Sec.1

The mayor and aldermen of the city of Newbern are hereby authorized and required to submit to the qualified voters of said city at the next regular election of aldermen and under the rulesand regulations governing said election, whether an annual tax shallbe levied therein for the support of two or more graded schools in said city for both races. That such qualified voters at such election are authorized to vote on either printed or written ballots the words For schools and Against schools, and the penalties for illegal and fraudulent voting in this election shall be the same as in the election for aldermen in said city of Newbern.