140 Ky. 353 | Ky. Ct. App. | 1910
Opinion of ti-ie Court by
Affirming.
On December 31-st, 1909, the appellant Meglemery was a magistrate and member of the Jefferson county fiscal court, and on that day he was appointed by the court as bridge commissioner, under the authority conferred upon the fiscal court by sections 4329 and 4330 of the Kentucky Statutes, to superintend the construction of a bridge between Hardin and Jefferson counties. Meglemery ’s term as magistrate and member of the fiscal court expired on January 2, 1910. On April 5, 1910, the fiscal court as then constituted removed him and appointed Charles P. Taylor in his place. After this action was taken, Meglemery brought this suit against the members of the fiscal court and Taylor, and for relief asked that the action of the court in removing him and appointing Taylor in his place be declared null and void, and that Taylor and the fiscal court be enjoined from interfering with him in the performance of his duties as bridge commissioner. To this petition a general demurrer was sustained, and declining to plead further, he prosecutes this appeal.
As Meglemery was on December 31st, 1909, a member of the body that appointed him to fill this place, the appointment was void for reasons of public policy that are both sound and sufficient. And so we have held that in cases like this the fiscal court cannot appoint one of its members to a place that carries with it duties and compensation. Milliken v. Grillum, 135 Ky. 280. Nor does the fact that his term expired within a few days after his appointment, or the fact that his duties would be pre
But counsel for appellant insists that although it should be held that the appointment of Meglemery was void, it was ratified by the fiscal court that came into office in January, 1910, and recognized Mm as bridge commissioner. But if his appointment was void, the mere recognition by the succeeding court did not have the effect of imparting validity to it. A void appointment cannot be validated by either recognition or ratification. Meehem on Public Officers, sec. 531. There must be a new appointment. It may be conceded that so far as the rights of the public are concerned, Meglemery would be treated as an officer de facto, and that his acts as such would be binding. That qu.estj.on, however, is not before us. No act of the court as organized in January, 1910, less than an actual appointment, would be sufficient to confer upon Meglemery the office that he. claims; ■and it is not contended that he was appointed by the new
Wherefore, the judgment of the lower court is affirmed.