43 Wash. 290 | Wash. | 1906
School district number 93 of Snohomish county issued bonds in tbe sum of $1,500 for tbei purpose, as
The attorney for .the appellants contends that, inasmuch as the resolution of the board of directors of the school district shows that the purpose of the district in issuing the bonds was to use the money derived from their sale in taking up and cancelling its outstanding warrant indebtedness, the indebtedness of the district is not thereby increased, since the bonds were intended merely to change the form of the indebtedness, the chief purpose being to reduce the rate of interest. He frankly concedes that his position is directly contrary to that taken by this court in the case, State ex rel. Jones v. McGraw, 12 Wash. 541, 41 Pac. 893, but he argues that that case is opposed not only to the great weight of authority but to the better reason as well, and should be overruled.
“That it would be inconsistent alike with the words and with the object of the constitutional provision, framed to protect municipal corporations from being loaded with debt beyond a certain limit, to make their liability to be charged with debts beyond that limit depend solely upon the discretion or the honesty of their officers'.”
But while this may he a somewhat technical view of the matter, and may be opposed to the weight of authority upon the question, we think the reason given for the decision sufficiently substantial to warrant, us in adhering to' it. The case was decided more than ten years ago; and has been recognized ever since as the rule of law governing in like cases. Duryee v. Friars, 18 Wash. 55, 50 Pac. 583; State ex rel. Winston v. Rogers, 21 Wash. 206, 57 Pac. 801.
Stare decisis is the policy of the courts. On the adherence to its principle rests the decisions of the courts as authority. The rule is a salutary one, and ought not to: be departed from unless grave necessity exists therefor. In this ease we think the greater harm would flow from a change in the rule than in an adherence'to it.
The judgment is affirmed.
Mount, O. J., Hadley, Dunbar, and Crow, JJ., concur.