Grills v. Mayor of Jonesboro

Nicholson, C. J., delivered the opinion of the court. Grills is a regularly licensed retailer of liquors in the town of Jonesboro. The corporate authorities have passed an ordinance prohibiting the sale of liquors after 6 o’clock B. m., each day, on the three first days of each term of the circuit court, on the days on which the county court is held, on the days when any public show takes place in the town, on the days of the college commencement, and on the days when fairs are held at or near Jonesboro, and annexing a penalty to all violations of this ordinance. Gills filed his bill, stating the existence of this [248] ordinance, alleging that it violates and interferes with his rights as a licensed retailer, of liquors, and that it is unreasonable and oppressive,, &c., and praying for perpetual injunction, &c. To this bill the mayor and aldermen demurred, upon the ground that they have the right, in the-proper exercise of their police powers, to pass the ordinance. Chancellor Smith overruled the demurrer, and defendants have appealed. This ease is settled by the decision in the case of Ann Ward v. Mayor and Aldermen of Greeneville, determined at the present term. The allegations of the bill in the present case make a clear case of excessive and unauthorized exercise of the police powers of the corporate authorities. Whatever may be our views as to the wisdom of prohibitory laws for the prevention or suppression of the evils of intemperance, so long as the Legislature continues to legalize the traffic, and to confer on those engaged in it the rights ' attached to their privileges, the courts. are bound to protect the exercise and enjoyment of these rights and privileges against unreasonable and oppressive ordinances passed" by corporate authorities, although they may, in the judgment of these authorities, be passed in the interest of morality, religion and good order. The law of the State is paramount and must control. The decree of the chancellor is affirmed with costs,, and the cause remanded.