Hartt v. Harvey

New York Supreme Court

Hartt v. Harvey

13 Abb. Pr. 332, 21 How. Pr. 382

DecidedAugust 15, 1861

StatusPublished

This text of 13 Abb. Pr. 332 (Hartt v. Harvey) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New York Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Hartt v. Harvey, 13 Abb. Pr. 332, 21 How. Pr. 382 (N.Y. Super. Ct. 1861).

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Opinion

Sutherland, J.

—It is true that the complaint in this case asks for compensation in damages for the alleged wrongful withhold? ing of the certificate, and keeping the plaintiffs out of office; and, also, that the certificate of the defendants be declared null and void; but it is perfectly plain that the main relief asked for in the complaint, is the judgment or determination of the court, that the defendants were not regularly elected, and are not entitled to the office, and that the plaintiffs were regularly elected, and are entitled to the office.

If the plaintiffs were not regularly elected, and are not entitled to the office, then the certificate has not been wrongfully withheld from them, and they are not .entitled to any compensation in damages, or to have the certificate of the defendants declared null and void. £

There can be no damages given to the plaintiffs, nor can the' defendants’ certificate be declared null and void, without first determining the title to the office.

The damages and equitable relief asked for in the complaint, are asked for as mere incidents of the main relief asked foleto wit, the judgment of the court on the question of the right and title to the office.

It follows that the complaint should be dismissed, for it is clear that this court has not jurisdiction to try this question of' title in this action. It should be tried by an action or proceeding in the nature of quo warranto.

Judge Muffin’s opinion in Hartt a. Harvey (10 Abbotts’ Pr., 321), is, in my opinion, conclusive on this point.

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Sutherland, J.

—It is true that the complaint in this case asks for compensation in damages for the alleged wrongful withhold? ing of the certificate, and keeping the plaintiffs out of office; and, also, that the certificate of the defendants be declared null and void; but it is perfectly plain that the main relief asked for in the complaint, is the judgment or determination of the court, that the defendants were not regularly elected, and are not entitled to the office, and that the plaintiffs were regularly elected, and are entitled to the office.

If the plaintiffs were not regularly elected, and are not entitled to the office, then the certificate has not been wrongfully withheld from them, and they are not .entitled to any compensation in damages, or to have the certificate of the defendants declared null and void. £

There can be no damages given to the plaintiffs, nor can the' defendants’ certificate be declared null and void, without first determining the title to the office.

The damages and equitable relief asked for in the complaint, are asked for as mere incidents of the main relief asked foleto wit, the judgment of the court on the question of the right and title to the office.

It follows that the complaint should be dismissed, for it is clear that this court has not jurisdiction to try this question of' title in this action. It should be tried by an action or proceeding in the nature of quo warranto.

Judge Muffin’s opinion in Hartt a. Harvey (10 Abbotts’ Pr., 321), is, in my opinion, conclusive on this point.

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Bluebook (online)

13 Abb. Pr. 332, 21 How. Pr. 382, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/hartt-v-harvey-nysupct-1861.