Brown v. Board of Election Canvassers

45 W. Va. 826 | W. Va. | 1899

Brannon, Judge:

T. P. R. Brown obtained from this Court a rule against certain persons,, who constitute the board of election canvassers of Randolph County, to show cause why a writ of prohibition should not be awarded him to prohibit that board from exercising jurisdiction to canvass the returns and declare the result of a vote upon the question of the relocation of the county seat. We think that the board, though a mere ministerial body, is yet one organized and performing public functions under lav/, and such a tribunal as may be kept within the legal bounds of its jurisdiction by *827prohibition. This seems to be conceded. Fleming v. Commissioners, 31 W. Va. 608, (8 S. E. 267); Alderson v. Commissioners, 31 W. Va. 637, (8 S. E. 214); Brazie v. Commissioners, 25 W. Va. 213. We award the prohibition for the reason that the canvassers have no jurisdiction to act in the matter of this vote. It belongs to the county court. Reasons for this conclusion are given in Brown v. County Court, 45 W. Va. 727 (32 S. E. 165), this day decided.

Writ Granted.