City of Mount Pleasant v. Breeze

11 Iowa 399

• Court: Supreme Court of Iowa
• Decided: December 28, 1860
• Status: Published

Opinion

Wright, J.

The causes assigned in the motion to dismiss are:

•First: The city had no authority to enact the ordinance. Second: The proceeding (if allowable) should have been in the name of the State. Third: The justice had no jurisdiction, but, if any where it was in the District Court.

The authority to pass the ordinance in question is claimed under section 14, chapter 15, Laws of 1856, special session; which provides that “the city council is invested with authority to make ordinances to secure the inhabitants against fire, against violations of law and the public peace, to suppress riots, gambling, drunkenness, indecent and disorderly conduct; to punish lewd behavior in public places, to suppress disorderly houses, and generally to provide for the safety, prosperity and good order of the city.” In our opinion this provision does not confer the power claimed in this instance. The language employed seems to have been used with care, and in view of the distinction claimed by the defendant. The power given is not to pass ordinances to secure the inhabitants against gambling, but to suppress gambling and riots. It is true that the effect of the suppression may be to secure the inhabitants against the evils named, but it is to be done by their suppression and not by laws providing for their punishment as misdemeanors. The use of the general language at the conclusion of the provision quoted, must be taken in connection with the special powers conferred and be limited by it. That is to say that the city is “to provide for the safety” &c., but not in a manner unwarranted by the charter. The city council cannot punish that which they are only authorized to suppress under this general power.

This view renders it unnecessary to examine the other points made in the motion.

Judgment affirmed.