Asheville v. Trust Co.

143 N.C. 360

Opinion

CoNNOR, J.,

after stating the case: The demurrer calls into question the right of the plaintiff under the powers granted in its charter to assess special benefits for the purpose of paying the cost of widening West College Street. The learned counsel for defendants stated in his argument that he did not deny the right of the Legislature to confer upon the city of Asheville the power to assess against property within said city the cost of public improvements by which such property received peculiar and special benefits. He insists: First, that the power is not granted; second, that if granted, it is invalid, because the method provided for its exercise is not in accordance with the right of the land-owner, in that no taxing district is established, either by the charter or by the resolution of the Board of Aldermen; that the attempt to confer upon' the Mayor the power to fix such district in his writ by naming such persons “as are supposed to be affected” is invalid. He also urges objections to the mode of procedure, which we will notice later.

The power to impose upon property the cost of public improvements, measured by the peculiar and special benefit sustained, has been settled beyond controversy. It is uniformly held that this power is based upon the right to tax, and not that of eminent domain. In Baumann v. Ross, 167 U. S., 548 (589), it is said: “The Legislature, in the exercise of the right of taxation, has the authority to direct the whole, or such part as it may prescribe, of the expense of a public improvement, such as the establishing, the widening, the grading or the repair of a street, to be assessed upon the owners of land benefited thereby,” citing a large number of cases. Cooley on Tax., 1152. The subject was discussed, the authorities reviewed and the power sustained in an able opinion by Mr. Justice Shepherd in Raleigh v. Pace, 110 N. C., 32. It is equally well settled that “assessments being a peculiar species of taxation, there must be a special authority of law for imposing them. The ordinary grant to a municipal corporation of power to levy taxes for municipal purposes will not justify any other than ordinary taxes. This would follow from the general rule which requires a strict construction of all such grants; but the principle has peculiar force when applied to powers in themselves exceptional. And it is always held that such a power, when plainly granted, is to be construed with strictness, and as strictly pursued by the authorities, who are to levy the tax.” 2 Cooley on Tax., 1158. The same principle is announced by Judge Elliott in Ms work on Eoads (sec. 544), cited with approval in Greensboro v. McAdoo, 112 N. C., 359. WMle tbis most salutary principle is to be kept in view, it is also true that, if the power is given, the statute will not be declared invalid, because it does not specifically prescribe the details of the procedure to be pursued in its exercise. Raleigh v. Pace, supra. While the language employed in the charter is not so clear as might be desired, we are of the opinion that the. intention of the Legislature to confer the power, both of eminent domain and to assess special benefits, is sufficiently shown. Some confusion arises from a failure to grant them separately.

The first portion of the section prescribing the preliminary steps for obtaining land or a right-of-way therein, for the purpose of opening or widening a street, when an agreement as to the amount of damages, as well as special benefits, which may result to the owner, cannot be had, if not explained by other parts of the section, would seem to sustain defendant’s contention. When the duty of the jury is prescribed, we find that they are to be sworn to assess “the damages, if any, which will be done to the property of every person named in the writ,” also to assess “any special benefit, advantage or enhanced value which will be caused to the property of any person named in the writ.” They are directed, after being sworn, “to view the land of every person named in the writ and assess damage, if any, to every one of the premises which they have viewed and the special benefit, advantage and enhanced value, if any, which will accrue by reason of said proposed improvement to every one of the premises Which they have viewed.” The “persons named in the writ” are those “who are supposed to be affected” by the proposed improvement. This is, of course, to include not only those whose lands are to be taken, but those whose lands are to be “specially benefited.” Thus the language used in the first portion of the section is explained and its scope enlarged. When-the report is filed, the Board of Aldermen are directed to consider and pass upon it. “If they shall consider that any item of damage is excessive, they may reject the report and discontinue the proposed improvement. If they consider that any item of benefits is excessive, they may decrease or remit the same.” It thus clearly appears that the Legislature had in mind both the right of condemnation and of assessing benefits, and intended to confer both on the city of Asheville.

Provision is further made in case of an-appeal: 1. When one whose land has been taken appeals, the damages assessed, less the benefits, shall be deposited with the Clerk of the Superior Court to await determination of the appeal. 2. When one against whom special benefits have been assessed appeals, the amount so assessed is declared to constitute a lien upon such land as of the time at which the board passed upon the report. Provision is made for enforcing the payment of the special benefit so assessed.

It is, an elementary rule of construction that the entire statute, or at least so much of it as relates to the matter in controversy, must be read and the intention of the Legislature gathered therefrom and given effect. Unless the construction sustaining the power, as claimed by plaintiff, be given, much of the language found in section 65 becomes meaningless.

The defendant attacks the statute and the proceeding thereunder for that, (1) no taxing district is established within which the improvement is to be made and the special benefits assessed; ’(2) that no provision is- made for ascertaining the cost of the proposed improvement and apportioning among the lots or pieces of property benefited.

Eor manifest reasons it is uniformly held that the Legislature must establish the district, or assign the duty to do so, either to the Board of Aldermen or commissioners to be appointed in some lawful way. It is impracticable to assess benefits upon property for local improvements, unless tbe territory witbin wbicb such property is located is, in some way or by some means, ascertained. It is not necessary that the boundaries of the district should, be coterminous with any of the political divisions of the State. In People v. Mayor, etc., 4 N. Y., 419, the district established for the assessment of special benefits was “the streets, avenues and squares within the first seven wards,” etc. In Busbee v. Commissioners, 93 N. C., 143, the county of Wake is declared to be a taxing district for the purpose of levying an assessment to pay the cost of a common fence. In Commissioners v. Commissioners, 92 N. C., 180, the counties of Lenoir and Greene were combined into a taxing district for the same purpose. The principle finds recognition in our drainage laws. Rev., 3997. In Baumann v. Ross, 167 U. S., 589, Cray, J., says: “The class of lands to be assessed for the purpose may be determined either by the Legislature itself, by defining a territorial district, or by other designation; or it may be left by the Legislature to the determination of commissioners, and may be made to consist of such lands and such only as the commissioners shall decide to be benefited.” Spencer v. Merchant, 125 U. S., 345. In the statute under consideration, in Irrigation Dist. v. Bradley, 164 U. S., 112, commissioners were appointed to lay off irrigation districts.

While expressions found in opinions and authors sometimes indicate that without any territorially defined boundaries, assessments may be levied upon such parcels of land as the jury or commissioners think benefited, we find that usually, if not uniformly, some designation is made confining them to fixed limits. Such, certainly, is the result of our investigation of the statutes passed by the Legislature of this State. As we have seen, and as uniformly laid down by writers on the subject, the Legislature may, in the statute, fix tbe limits of tbe district, or if it deem best, confer tbis power upon tbe local authorities, or upon tbe commissioners or jury appointed to make tbe assessment. It is field by all of tbe authorities that when tbe district is created, by either of tbe lawful agencies, all of tbe property within such district must bear its proportionate part of tbe cost of tbe improvement measured by tbe special benefit accruing to it. It is generally held that fixing tbe limits of the district is a legislative function, and when exercised is not subject to review by the courts. “Tbe whole subject of taxing districts belongs to tbe Legislature; so much is unquestionable. Tbe authority may be exercised directly, or, in the case of local taxes, it may be left to local boards or bodies; but in tbe latter case tbe determination will be by a body possessing, for tbe purpose, legislative power and whose action must be as conclusive as if taken by tbe Legislature itself. It has been repeatedly decided that tbe legislative act of assigning districts for special taxation on tbe basis of benefits cannot be attacked on tbe ground of error in judgment regarding tbe special benefits and defeated by satisfying a court that no special and peculiar benefits are received. If tbe Legislature has fixed tbe district and laid tbe tax for tbe reason that, in tbe opinion of tbe legislative body, such district is peculiarly benefited, its action must in general be deemed conclusive.” Cooley on Taxation, 1258. Judge Cooley says that there are exceptions to tbis general principle, some of which be names.

Judge Elliott, conceding that tbe “numerical weight of authority overwhelmingly” sustains tbe general doctrine, says that be very much doubts “whether in any case tbe right of arbitrary decision, by tbe Legislature, can be defended on strict principle,” and that be “cannot forbear suggesting that tbe judiciary ought not to, and, in truth, cannot surrender its power to decide tbe questions affecting tbe right to impose special burdens on private property.” •

An interesting discussion of tbe general principles underlying the subject may be found in the very able opinions of the Court in the case of Norwood v. Baker, 172 U. S., 269, and the subsequent cases modifying and, thought by some, overruling it. Few subjects have given the courts more anxious consideration. On the one hand is an evident desire to sustain the action of the Legislature and of legislative agencies in dealing with the subject, and yet.equally evident is the recognition of the danger of wrong and injustice to- the citizen by giving to such agencies arbitrary power. It is difficult to reconcile the doctrine in a legal system which so jealously guards the property rights of the citizen, by which personal property of inconsiderable value may not be taken by another citizen except after a trial in open Court with a jury to pass upon disputed facts and a Judge learned in the law to declare his legal rights, with that which permits a Board of Aldermen with no other guide than their judgment to impose burdens for benefits, real or supposed, upon his home, with no right to be heard and no power to review their judgment or correct their mistake. Learned Judges frequently admit that wrong and injustice may be done, but see no way by which the taxing power upon which, as we have seen, the right is based, may be controlled by the judiciary.

We have no disposition to make any departure from the generally accepted doctrine, but we deem it appropriate, to say that, in administering the law and exercising the powers conferred, it is the duty of those entrusted with it to proceed with cautious and careful watchfulness of the substantial right of the citizen. We do not intend to suggest that the municipal officers in this case have not done so.

It is held in Baumann v. Ross, supra, that the duty to fix the limits of the taxing district may be imposed upon the same commissioners who assess the benefits. While we see no objection to this course, the district should be defined before tbe assessment is made. It would seem just tbat tbe zone of benefits should control tbe boundaries of tbe district, and that all property in such district should be assessed to pay tbe cost, not to exceed tbe benefits accruing to it.

We are confronted with tbe fact tbat in tbe charter of plaintiff no provision is made, for laying off tbe taxing or assessment district, nor does it appear tbat it was done by tbe jury. Tbe Aldermen, deeming it conducive to tbe public welfare, decide to widen West College Street. They thereupon, in accordance with tbe charter, direct tbe Mayor to issue bis writ to a policeman directing him to summon a jury and notify all persons “supposed to be affected” by tbe proposed improvement, thus empowering tbe Mayor, whose functions are not legislative, to select only such persons as, in bis judgment, be supposes to be affected. None others are to be notified; there is no direction to summon all who have property in tbe zone of benefits, nor is any such zone designated otherwise than by tbe names of persons named in tbe writ. What is there under this proceeding to prevent tbe Mayor selecting tbe lots of Mr. Weaver, lying on North Water Street, some two hundred feet from tbe street to be widened, and omitting tbe names of those who own lots between West College Street and Mr. Weaver ? in which event tbe jury would have no right or power to assess tbe benefits accruing to such lots. It is obvious that, under the charter, tbe Mayor may arbitrarily impose upon such persons as be supposes affected tbe entire cost of tbe improvement. It does not appear by tbe record tbat tbe Mayor has omitted any lots which should be assessed. Tbat tbe power to do so is given, renders tbe statute open to criticism.

Tbe measure of liability of tbe entire property benefited is the cost of tbe improvement; therefore, each property-owner is interested in having each part of tbe whole assessed, to tbe end tbat if tbe total benefit exceeds tbe cost, tbe burden may be properly apportioned. When a taxing district or zone of benefit is fixed in advance of tbe assessment, tbis right is secured.

Tbe defendants suggest tbat before any judgment can be entered against tbeir property, tbe cost of tbe improvement should be ascertained. Tbis contention, we think, is sound. Tbe right to levy assessments for special benefits is not based ■ upon tbe idea that the corporation may collect from property tbe total amount of such benefits and turn into tbe treasury tbe profit made by tbe improvement. Tbe right which tbe city has is to collect “the whole or a part of tbe public improvement from tbe property benefited.” Spencer v. Merchant, supra. This principle is clearly recognized in tbe charter of tbe plaintiff of 1891 (cb. 125, sec. 5), wherein tbe method of equalizing assessments for improving streets is prescribed. Tbe cost is ascertained, and then apportioned between tbe abutting real estate. Tbe present Chief Justice, discussing tbis statute in Hilliard v. Asheville, 118 N. C., 845, says: “It makes each street, or portion of a street, improved a taxing district by requiring tbe cost of the total improvement on each, street to be ascertained.” In tbat act, for tbe purpose of paying for tbe improvement, tbe “frontage” rule was adopted. Tbis was sustained in Raleigh v. Pace, supra. Tbe only difference between tbe two statutes, in tbat respect, is tbat in tbe charter of 1901 tbe benefit is to be ascertained by tbe jury, instead of tbe arbitrary “frontage” rule. In all other respects tbe principle involved is tbe same. While tbe question presented here is not raised in Pace’s case, supra, it is manifest tbat tbe learned Judge did not overlook it. In speaking of tbe ordinance be says: “It very clearly provides for a taxing district, to-wit: * * * Tbis provision, as to the' cost, very plainly implies tbat tbe expense of tbe improvement in tbe entire district bad been previously estimated, and thus we have an apportionment between tke abutting owners and the citj,” etc. The principle is recognized in our legislation providing for building fences around a district by directing the cost of the fence to be ascertained and the cost apportioned among the several tracts of land in the territory within the common fence; also in the drainage laws, Revisal, section 3997, wherein the cost of the work is first ascertained. It is not' essential to the validity of a special assessment that the property abut the street to be improved. If within the zone of benefits, as fixed by the statute or the commissioners, it may be assessed as if on the street. Nor dp we hold that the cost must be ascertained before the assessment is made. This would often be difficult; but before the final apportionment is made and judgment rendered, it is necessary that the cost be ascertained, for this is the limit of the power to impose assessments.

W'e are, upon careful consideration of the several questions presented by the demurrer and argued before us, of the opinion:

1. That the power to levy assessments, upon lots to which special and peculiar benefits accrue from a public improvement, is conferred upon the plaintiff by chapter 100, sec. 65,. Private Laws 1901.

2. That in the exercise of the power of levying special assessments, the Board of Aldermen lay off and define the limits of the district within which they are to be made, and that all property within said district should bear its proportion of the cost upon the basis of special and peculiar benefits, as distinguished from those general benefits which accrue to-it in common with all other property in the city.

3.. That before a final order or judgment, fixing the-amount which is to be paid by the owner, is made, the cost of the improvement be ascertained and apportioned between the several pieces of property.

The record comes to us upon an appeal from a judgment •overruling a demurrer ; hence, no final judgment appears in the record. The demurrer does not raise any question 'regarding the amount of benefit assessed, or the principle upon which it was assessed. We find no objection to the statute by reason of the notice required to be given. The demurrer, in so far as it attacks the power of the plaintiff to levy special assessments for special benefits accruing to property by reason of public improvements, was properly overruled. Eor the reasons herein stated, the judgment rendered by the Board of Aldermen cannot be sustained, and in that respect there was error in the judgment overruling the demurrer.

The only portion of the order made by the Board of Aider-men which is certified to this Court is that in which judgment is rendered against the defendant appellants. Eor the reasons given herein 'the order, as to them, must be set aside . and vacated. If so advised, we can see no good reason why the board may not allot and define a taxing district, and proceed to have the benefits to the property within the district assessed in accordance with the provisions of the statute and the principles herein announced. The appellants will recover their'costs in this Court.

Error.