by the government of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

“ General laws to establish cities. Cities may be chartered whenever a majority of the electors of any town or borough having a population of at least ten thousand shall vote at any general election in favor of the same. ”

“ No debt shall be contracted or liability incurred by any municipal commission, except in pursuance of an appropriation previously made therefor by the municipal government.
Section 3: Sinking funds in cities. Every city shall create a sinking fund, which shall be inviolably pledged for the payment of its funded debt. ”