People ex rel. McSpedon v. Board of Supervisors

Ingraham, J. An alternative mandamus was issued in this matter, commanding the respondents to raise by tax a sum exceeding $193,000, to pay the relators the moneys now due them in relation to their contract with the Commissioners of Becords, and to enable them to perform their contract, &c., or show cause why the same should not be raised, &c. On the return of this writ, the respondents submit various objections thereto in their return. The plaintiffs now move to strike out this return, or portions thereof, and for a peremptory mandamus, or for leave to demur. Many of the objections taken to the granting of this writ are of a purely technical character, not involving the merits, and are ¡such as should not be relied on by the Board of Supervisors in refusing to carry out the provisions of law defining their duties in regard thereto. It is wiser for public bodies, taking such a course, to sustain their action by an examination of the merits of the controversy at once, instead of postponing such discussion by resorting to objections upon mere matters of form. As, however, they are made part of this case, it is my duty to pass upon them as presented, so far as may be necessary to decide this motion. The return denies that MeSpedon and Baker, the relators, ever obtained, or had in their possession, certificates of the Commissioners of Becords for any amount due them on their contract. The first and second paragraphs of the return would form a general denial of the allegation that the relators had not such a certificate, were they not qualified by sections 3, 4, 5, and 6, which set out the election of Miner as Register; that he was ex officio one of the commissioners, and that he did not sign the certificates. Taken together, these six paragraphs can only be construed as averring that William Miner was one of the Commissioners of Records, and did not sign the certificates. In form it is bad, because it leaves the defence to be inferred from the facts stated, instead of a distinct averment to that effect. An argumentative return is bad. I think it is bad also in substance. It is not necessary that all the commissioners should sign the certificates. It is enough [245] that they are signed by a majority of them. That appears to be the case as to all the certificates. The commissioners should all have notice of a meeting for the purpose, in order that all may consult together; but it is not in the power of any one who may be dissatisfied, in this way to prevent the payment of what would be a just claim. In all cases where a public duty is to be performed by a specified number, although all must have notice of the meeting, the acts of the majority are binding. This rule is universal, except where the statute expressly requires the assent of all,.and there is no good reason why it should not as well apply to a certificate to be given after the work has been performed, as to a resolution authorizing the contract for it in the first instance. There are other objections to this return which would be worthy of examination, were it not that, for other reasons, the relators are not entitled to the peremptory mandamus; and even if the return should be quashed, the motion for such writ should not be granted. The alternative writ shows that only a portion of the amount claimed to be raised by tax is due to the relators, and claims that the whole amount is required, in order to perform and complete the contract. It is clear, therefore, that at present the relators have no right to this fund, except the portion due for work already performed. They may never complete the contract, and never be entitled to any further payment. The rule is, I think, well settled, that a relator cannot have a peremptory writ unless he shows a clear legal right to what he asks for. (People a. Supervisors, &c., 1 Kern., 563 ; People a. Canal Board, 13 Barb., 444, are cases so holding.) It will not be pretended that these relators, at the present time, have any such claim. Whether they will have or not, at a future period, any such claim, is uncertain. It may not be required during the year, and, in case of a non-performance on their part, might not be needed at any time on this contract. Whether they could apply for a mandamus as to the amount now due them is a question not necessary to the decision of this motion. It is enough that they are not entitled to what is asked for in the writ. To hold otherwise, would be to sanction the principle that any contractor with the city government might, before his contract is completed, insist that the amount contem [246] .plated to be expended under bis contract should be raised by tax, because it was possible he might require it during the coming year. If any one has a right to such a writ, it must he the commissioners who have entered into the contract, and who will require the moneys for payment. It may be said that a part of this sum is now due to the relators. That, however, does not relieve the difficulty. If the writ demands too much, there must be judgment for the respondents. The peremptory writ must follow the alternative mandamus, and there cannot be judgment for the relators for part, and for the respondents for the other part. (People a. Supervisors of Dutchess, 1 Hill, 50.) In the case from 4 Barn. & Cresw., 895, no objection appears to have been made on this point. Eor these reasons, I am of the opinion that the motion for a peremptory mandamus should he denied, and that, although the return is defective, still there is no necessity to strike out any part of it, as no further relief could be given to the relators on this application. As the return is defective, I think it proper to refuse costs to either party on this motion. Motion denied, without costs.