122 P. 291 | Or. | 1912
delivered the opinion of the court.
In its efforts to enlarge its boundaries, the city of Portland, in this instance, has encountered another municipal corporation. It is not virgin territory which Portland would acquire by the proceedings under consideration. Here are two cities, instrumentalities of government, and it is incumbent upon this court to determine whether the end sought to be accomplished and of which the plaintiffs complain is in harmony with the law of their existence. Hitherto the city of St. Johns was an independent municipality, having an existence distinct from any other' organization of its kind. Under Section 2, Article XI, Constitution of Oregon, its charter
The constitution has not provided for municipal suicide. Yet this is what is proposed to be accomplished by the proceedings under consideration. The charter of St. Johns would be as effectually relegated to desuetude if the election described were to be upheld as if the people of the entire State should by an initiative measure in express terms repeal that charter and that of the city of Portland and consolidate the two cities under a new municipal constitution. Indeed, the Portland charter describes the results to be attained in these words:
“The inhabitants of such annexed territory shall become subject in all respects to the jurisdiction of the authorities of-said city (Portland), and the jurisdiction of any public authority exercised theretofore in such annexed territory shall, so far as it is in conflict with the corporate authority of said city (Portland), thereupon cease and determine.”
This result is not in harmony with the later constitutional provisions the people have adopted, .the spirit of which is segregation rather than consolidation in
We deem it unnecessary to consider the other questions presented at the hearing.
The decree of the court below is reversed, and one entered here according to the prayer of the complaint.
Reversed: Decree Rendered.