Since 1847, the NYS constitution requires that if the state legislature wants the state to take on debts over a certain $ amount, its 2 houses (the senate and assembly) would have to pass a law explaining the specific purpose of the debt, and then ask NYS voters if they want the state to take on that debt.

In 1909, the NYS legislature asked the voters:

"Shall chapter three hundred and ninety-one of the laws of nineteen hundred and nine, entitled 'An act making provision for issuing bonds to the amount not to exceed seven million dollars for the improvement of the Cayuga and Seneca canals, and providing for a submission of the same to the people to be voted upon at the general election to be held in the year nineteen hundred and nine,' at a general election held in the said State, on the 2d day of November, in the year 1909, wherein the several counties in which the said votes were given are distinguished."

And the voters said: Yes!