Green v. City of Demopolis

SAMFORD, J. It is the law that-municipal ordinances must be clear, certain, and duly promulgated. Kreulhaus v. City of Birmingham,. 164 Ala. 623, 51 So. 297, 26 L. R. A. (N. S.) 492. The ordinance in the instant case meets that requirement, and the -demurrer to the complaint filed by the city was properly overruled. The book of ordinances of the city of Demopolis, being identified by the city clerk, who also testified to the custody and publication, and also to his certificate, was properly admitted in evidence. Vol. 10 Mitch. Dig. p. 61 (3). The provisions of section 1258 •of the Code of 1907, as amended by Acts 1915, p. 735, relating to the recording of ordinances, is directory. Smith v. Town of Eclectic, 18 Ala. App. 329, 92 So. 212. The validity of the ordinance was sufficiently proven. Whether the whisky was owned by defendant or not, if he had it in his possession at the time complained of, he would be guilty. Moreover, charges 5 and 6 were not predicated on the evidence. For both of 'these reasons, charges 5, 6, and 7 were proi> erly refused. The evidence was in conflict, and hence the affirmative charge was properly refused. The ownership of the house was collateral, and therefore it was competent to prove its ownership by one who knew the fact. There is no error in the record, and the judgment is affirmed. Affirmed.