1. The boards of police commissioners are hereby authorized to provide themselves with such office and office furniture, and such clerks and subordinates as they shall need; and to have and use a common seal. They may divide such cities into not more than twelve nor less than nine police districts, and provide in each of them, if necessary, a station house or houses, with all things and equipments required for the same, and all such other accommodations as may be required for the use of the police.

2. The boards, for all the purposes of sections 84.010 to 84.340, shall have the use of the fire alarm telegraph of such cities for police purposes, and all station houses, watch boxes, firearms, equipments, accoutrements and other accommodations and things provided by such cities, for the use and service of the police, as fully and to the same extent as the same are now used by or for any present police, or as fully and to the same extent as the same may be used by any police force in any of the cities to which sections 84.010 to 84.340 may hereafter apply; and the mayor and common council or municipal assembly, and all persons and municipal officers in charge thereof, are hereby ordered and required to allow such use accordingly. In case the mayor and common council or municipal assembly of any of such cities, or its officers or agents, refuse or neglect to allow such use, as and whenever the same shall be required by the boards created by sections 84.010 to 84.340, or refuse to set aside and appropriate the revenue necessary to carry out the provisions of sections 84.010 to 84.340, or place obstructions or hindrances in the way of the proper discharge of the powers of such boards, the boards may apply to the circuit courts of the judicial circuit in which such cities may be located, in the name of the state, for a mandamus to compel a compliance with the provisions of this section, and the application thereof shall be heard and decided by the court. One week’s notice of the application shall be given, and the respondent or respondents shall have the right to answer within the week; and if testimony be needed on either side, the same shall be taken within ten days after the same is filed, or the week shall be expired. From the decision in the circuit court in the premises either party may appeal within ten days; and it shall be the duty of the clerk of such courts to send up the record immediately, and the appeal shall be heard immediately by the supreme court, if then in session, and if not in session, at the next term. In both courts the case shall be taken up and tried in preference to all others.