Before any election shall be held under the provisions of this article at least twenty-five per cent of the resident freeholders of the city or town, as shown by its tax books, shall petition the city or town council that such election be ordered.
1965 (54) 642; 1947 (45) 175; 1922 (32) 953; 1920 (31) 767, 797; 1916 (29) 939; 1915 (29) 53; 1914 (28) 511; 1899 (23) 49; Civ. C. '02 Section 2008; Civ. C. '12 Section 3015; Civ. C. '22 Section 4430; 1932 Code Section 7280; 1942 Code Section 7280; 1952 Code Section 59-245; 1962 Code Section 59-245.