City of Detroit v. Board of Public Works

2 Mich. N.P. 186

• Court: Wayne Circuit Court
• Decided: July 15, 1871
• Status: Published

Opinion

By the Court,

Patokis, J.

It is provided by section 3 of said act that all vacancies shall be filled by persons of the same political party as his predecessor.

The questions involved in the case at bar cannot be said to lie of importance merely as between the present incumbents and the defendants who now seek to supersede them; for the reason that the former have given entire satisfaction in the 'performance of their several duties, and it is conceded by all that the fatter are eminently qualified to fill the truly responsible position that has been proffered them. Neither are they political, for the two great political parties are equally represented.— They are rather pure questions of law relating to large and important interests, a proper consideration of which would require much more time tnan undrr the present circumstances can possibly be allowed. Iam compelled, therefore, to only briefly notice a very few of the many poiuts that have been made in the ease.

It is claimed on the part of the complainant that the Legislature have no right to designate the members of the m-esent Board.

The Constitution provides, by article 15, section 14, that “ judicial officers of cities and viilages' shall be elected, and all other officers shall be elected or appointed at such time and ii> such manner as the Le-gislxture miy direct.” It is conceded by the defendants that this clause is the one under which the appointments in the case at bar were made, but it is claimed that the Legislature by designating the names of the Board itself virtually declared that that shall be the time and manner of the appointment.

It is insisted on the part of the complainants that authoriiy to merely direct how the election or appointment shall be made gives no power to'go beyond the mere direction ; that until the condition precedent is performed by the Legislature, directing the time and manner of the election or appointment, there can be no power vested anywhere (not even in the Legislature itself) under the Constitution, to consummate the election or appointment.

The Constitution provides by article 15, section 8,jthat the Legislature shall pass no law altering or amending any act of incorporation heretofore granted without the assent of two-thirds of the members elected to each House, excepting municipal corporations.

It is conceded that in the case at bar the bill was not passed by a two-thirds vote.

It is claimed on the part of the complainants that the various Boards sought to be superseded by the defendants are separate and distinct corporations, none of them being municipal in their character, and that, therefore, to affect them the bill in question should have received a two-thirds vote.

The Constitution further provides, by article 18, section 1, that no other than the ordinary constitutional oath, declaration <>r test shall be required as a qualification for any office of public trust.

It is claimed by the complainants that the Legislature, under this clause of the Constitution, had no power to require that the members should be of any particular belief, or be connected with either of the two great parties;

• This provision was undoubtedly intended for good purposes ; and it is quite possible with the view many public officers seeoss to have, that they are elected to serve their political party rather than the public, whose interests they often lose sight of, it may a wise provision were it possible to make such an one under the clause above referred to.

It will be seen that these are grave and important questions and by no means clear in favor of either party.

do not propose to discuss the merits of these several points. or indeed to make any suggestions in regard to them. Were I so disposed, the lime allowed for examination is entirely inadequate.

It is claimed that a temporary injunction, at least, should issue, because of the large interests to be affected by the radical change contemplated by this law, and that such vast and important interests should not be carelessly passed from one to another.

It will perhaps be conceded that the present incumbents would come very far short of theirJ duty to the public, should they deliver up these vast interests without being first fully as. sured by the proper authorities that they had a right so to do, and I apprehend that'the gentlemen composing this Board do not desire to imperil the interests of the city by any action they may take' nd that taking possession of these important trusts with the full assurance that they are sustained by the law and cannot be disturbed or molested, will be much more satisfactory to them, as w^ell as all others interested, than tbe loose and un certain tenure sure to follow a doubtful possession. In view ot these facts I have deemed it my duty to exercise jurisdiction in the case and allow a temporary injunction to issue.

The questions involved can be finally settled in a little less than two months. A delay of so short a time cannot seriously affect any of the parties interested. It must be distinctly understood that no unnecessary delay can be allowed. I will hear counsel as to the extent of the temporary injunction.