54 Barb. 169 | N.Y. Sup. Ct. | 1869
Lead Opinion
.A municipal corporation, like any other, may enter into any contract within the. object for which the corporation was created, except where it is restrained by some legal enactment, and except so far as its contracts may be subject nevertheless to its future exercise of its legislative authority. There can be no. doubt, therefore, that the contract, which the common council authorized, and which was sought to be restrained by this action, might be lawfully made, unless some valid law exists preventing it, or unless a case of fraud is presented.
The complaint in this case makes no allegations of fraud. There is no suggestion in it that the common council acted fraudulently, corruptly or dishonestly, and there is no fact averred which could be the basis of any such conclusion. The plaintiff states the reasons which induced him to vote against the measure, and it may be that it would have been well if they had convinced a majority of his associates. But they did not; and we cannot support his judgment by judicial action, in the absence of fraud; unless the proposed contract is contrary to law.
It is plain enough, upon merely reading the complaint, that the only ground upon which the plaintiff believed the court should or could interfere, was that the proposed contract was illegal and void by reason of the provision contained in the act of April 20th, 1866.
The plaintiff did not claim that there was any other statute which prevented the making of the contract.
The provision of the act of April 20th, 1866, which restricts the power of the corporation as claimed by the plaintiff, is, I think, unconstitutional. That statute, which Was the tax levy for the year 1866, is a private or local bill within the meaning of the constitution, and the section relied upon relates to a subject not expressed in the title of the law. I have recently had occasion to express ■my views upon this point in the case of The Transcript
The complaint presenting no case justifying the interference of the court on the ground of fraud; and there being no valid act preventing the making of the contract, it follows that the injunction should have been dissolved, and therefore that the order below was erroneous and should be reversed.
Dissenting Opinion
(dissenting.) I am not satisfied to hold that the 9th section of the tax law of 1866, page 2070, is unconstitutional. It has been held that the tax law is a private or local bill. As such it cannot contain any provisions not- connected with the subject matter of the
The first part of the section prohibits the use of the moneys to be raised for any other purpose than that to which they are appropriated.' This has been for many years incorporated in the tax bills, and has never, that I know of, been objected to as unconstitutional. The residue of the section prohibits the making "of any contract, or incurring any liability for any purpose, which would exceed the sum appropriated.
I think this provision may fairly be considered as a part of the necessary regulations as to the application of the moneys to be raised by tax. It is the same subject, directing the application of the money and preventing its, use for any other purpose.
The order should be affirmed.
Order reversed.
Geo. G. Barnard, Ingraham and Cardozo, Justices.]