Edwards House Co. v. City of Jackson

Ethridge, J., delivered the opinion of the court. The appellants filed a bill for specific performance of a contract with the city of Jackson for the purchase of a strip of ground lying between the Illinois Central Railroad Company’s right of way and the Edwards House as it stood in 1920, and lying between Capitol street.on the north and Pearl street on' the south. The bill alleged that on April 7, 1920, complainants made and entered into a certain contract with the city of Jackson whereunder and whereby it was recited that complainants, therein called the seller, owned a certain tract of land, described lying as above stated, and now known as Esau street. That the city of Jackson was desirous of acquiring the same for public purposes and could only do so by the prompt, full, and complete performance of the terms and conditions contained in said contract, and the full retention therefor by complainants of all benefits, rights, and things thereuder by the said seller i*eceived, and that it was expressly provided that the full performance of each of the terms thereof Avas a condition precedent to the accrual to the city of Jackson to have it delivered that certain deed which was that day duly executed by the complainants to the city for the aforesaid tract or parcel of land, and which was deposited in escrow with the Merchants’ Bank & Trust Company, of Jackson, Miss., there to remain until the fulfillment of the conditions in said contract set out. The contract in full reads as follows: “This indenture executed as of February 18th, 1920, by and betAveen Edwards House Company, a corporation — 721 — duly chartered, organized, and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the state of , Mississippi; Enochs •& Flowers, Ltd., an association, being the owners of all of the capital stock of said Edwards House Company, their successors and assigns, all hereinafter called the ‘seller,’ and the city of Jackson, a municipal corporation duly chartered, organized and existing • under the laws of the state of Mississippi with its domicile in Hinds county, hereinafter called the ‘city,’ witnesseth: “(1) Seller owns that certain parcel of land located in the city of Jackson, county of Hinds, state of Mississippi, described as: A strip or plot of ground between Capitol street on the north, Pearl street , on the south, the now existing Edwards Hotel on the east, and the right of way of the Illinois Central Railroad Company on the west, and more minutely described ab follows: Beginning at a point on the south side of Capitol street where the same is intersected by the east right of way line of the Illinois Central Railroad, as the same is determined by the right of way fence; thence east along said south side of said Capitol street fifty (50) feet to an iron stake; thence southward at an angle from Capitol street (measured from west to south) of eighty-seven and one-half degrees and along a line which is fifty (50) feet east of and parallel to the east right of way line of the Illinois ■ Central Railroad Company, three hundred twenty and five-tenths (320.5) feet to an iron stake on the north line of Pearl street; thence northwestward at an angle from the foregoing line seventy-four degrees (measured from north to west) along said north line of Pearl street, approximately fifty-one (51) feet to the east right of way of the Illinois Central Railroad Company; thence northward along said right of way line three hundred eight and one-tenth (308.1) feet to the point of beginning. The east line of the property herein conveyed being further marked near its center by two iron stakes, one immediately north of and one immediately south of that projection of the existing hotel — 722 — building, which now protrudes into the property here conveyed (which is to be moved under the conditions herein given). “The property here conveyed being a strip fifty (50) feet in width east and west and extending from Capitol street to Pearl street, and being located in the city of Jackson, Mississippi, in two and 95/100 (2.95) acres, lot fifteen (15), and in the southwest quarter (S. W. 14) of southwest quarter (S. W. //) of section three (3), township five (5), range one (1) east, which the city is desirous of acquiring for public purposes and can only do so by the prompt, full, and complete performance of the terms and conditions herein contained and the full retention thereafter by the seller of all benefits, rights, and things hereunder by said seller received. The full performance of each of the terms hereof being a condition precedent to the accrual to the city of the right to have delivered to it that certain deed which has been this dayr executed by the seller to the city for the aforesaid parcel of land hereunder deposited in escrow with the Merchants’ Bank & Trust Company, of Jackson, Mississippi, there to remain until the fulfillment of the conditions herein a,t length set out. “(2) Should the legality of any provision herein or of any part of any provisions herein, be assailed, or in any wise questioned, the city will endeavor to maintain the validity thereof, and of every part thereof,.at its own cost and expense; but the seller may co-operate in such proceeding if he so desires. “Should any provision herein, or any portion of any provision herein, be adjudged inoperative for any reason, so that the seller would not receive all of the considerations and rights herein by it contracted for, in the manner and form, and at the time herein set out, or if after receiving the same and having said deed delivered, it should be adjudged that any provision hereof, or any part of any provision hereof, were inoperative in manner and form as — 723 — herein set out, so that the seller were forced to return or surrender any right hereunder given, or any consideration hereunder received, then, if undelivered, said deed shall be returned, and if delivered, shall forthwith become void (and such stipulation shall be written into its face and control its operation, irrespective of delivery). “(3) Should said deed be returned hereunder before delivery, or become void after delivery, then the city shall have the right to use and occupy said parcel of land as a street, and shall, for the use and occupation of said parcel of land, pay unto the seller the sum of three thousand dollars ($3,000) per annum, for the collection whereof as rent the seller shall have all the remedies vouchsafed by law, and the possession of and title to said property shall reinvest in the seller as of the date of the execution of these presents, and there remain as of said date, as fully and completely as though these presents had never been executed. : “(4) Said seller shall have the right forthwith to cause tojie removed therefrom all property of every kind and character thereon placed by the city. “(5) Said city, to become entitled to the delivery of said deed, and to the rights hereunder granted after the delivery, agrees that said city will pay to the seller, and the seller shall receive and retain, without let or hindrance, in accordance with the terms hereof, the following amounts at the following times: “(a) Upon the 15th day of December, 1920, and annually thereafter on the 15th day of December, up to and including December 15, 1939, unless otherwise herein provided, said city will pay to the seller in cash an amount equal to all municipal ad valorem taxes assessed upon that certain lot in the city of Jackson, described as follows: “An of two and 95/100 (2.95) acre lot fifteen (15) and lot sixteen (16) one acre lot, except Gaddis-McClelland Bank and Seutter Building, and being all the property in that block owned by the Edwards House Company, all — 724 — in said city of Jackson, state of Mississippi, wherein the Edwards House is now. This amount to be assessed upon the land alone, irrepective of. all improvements thereon and personal property to be contained therein. Said payments to be made in the form of a voucher upon the treasury of said city and to be receivable for municipal taxes at par. Said sum would now be calculated upon a basis of fifty-two thousand dollars ($52,000) which with the assessment of the other property would aggregate one hundred seventy-seven thousand dollars ($177,000), the difference now being one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($125,000). “(b) At the same time during the same period, unless said period be reduced in accordance herewith, but, nevertheless, in addition to the amount specified in section (a) hereof, there shall likewise be paid and delivered in a similar voucher to the seller, by said city, an amount equal to the taxes lawfully assessed in, to, and against (1) all personal property contained in said Edwards House, such as furniture, fixtures, hotel appliances, supplies, accounts, and bills receivable, cash on hand, including its franchise and good will, and all other values embraced in or covered by its capital stock and surplus, or otherwise; and (2) in, to, and against all improvements of every kind and character located upon the above described parcel of land, and the fact that said improvement may be destroyed by fire, or otherwise, shall not confer the right upon a seller to demand additional compensation, or for a longer period of time. “However, should there be any Improvement, or improvements, placed upon said lot in an amount equal to or exceeding in cost twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,-000), then the number of payments to be made under this clause (b) shall be reduced in this manner; that is to say, a limit of two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) is hereby fixed, which would be equalled if the amount of one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars — 725 — ($125,000), which is the portion of the assessment properly to be made under clause (b), were charged against said two million five hundred thousand dollars. ($2,500,-000) from and after this date, for the full period of twenty years during each and every of said years, in the manner provided for in clause (a) hereof. “There shall be each year, beginning, with 1920, an amount taken as an addends equal to one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($125,000) and an equal addends of one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($125,000) shall be used during each year until after the completion of any such improvements; then after the completion of any such improvement, or improvements, and so long as each shall remain thereon as an additional addends, there shall be taken two-thirds of the actual cost of each such improvement so then thereon, diminished by two-thirds of the actual value of any improvement now thereon, which may not then be there. “As stated, this addition shall be begun in the year 1920, and shall be continued annually by adding the amount hereinbefore provided for to the sum for the next preceding year, and when the sum thereof. equals or exceeds two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) then in the next year after such sum equals or exceeds said two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,-000) no payment shall be made. But it is expressly agreed, however, that if during the continuance of the time that these payments are required to be made, an exemption from ad valorem municipal taxation is granted, then,, as to such improvement, or improvements, so exempt, no additional amount by reason thereof shall be added during any one year when said improvement, or improvements, is exempt; but such exemption of said improvement, or improvements, shall not prevent there being annually added, in order to determine when the payment shall cease, said sum of one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($125,000), which must be added each year until said — 726 — payment ceases, whether there is an exemption or not. Under no circumstances shall the payments to be made to the seller continue longer than to and including December-15, 1939. “(c) Should any municipal ad valorem tax be levied upon the capital stock of said corporation, its good will, its surplus, or any other form of tangible or intangible property which is, or is intended to be, described under-sections (a) and (b) hereof, wherefore said city is under obligation to make payment in accordance with said sections (a) and (b) hereof, then said city will pay the seller, in addition to the amount provided for under said (a) and (b) for the said several years when said payment should have been made, any amount that may have been assessed for said years in the same manner and to the same extent, and as of the same time as though said property had been assessed under sections (a) and (b) hereof, and payment been made thereunder therefor. “(d) Should there be any back assessments of any-kind or character .made against any of the properties described in sections (a), (b), and (c) hereof during any of the years when the city was under obligation to make payment of such amount, or amounts, to the seller, then for all such amount, or amounts, of taxes as may be thereon due, the city binds itself, in addition to the amounts to be paid under sections (a), (b), and (c) hereof, to make such additional payments, it being the intention of this agreement, under said sections (a), (b), and (c), to cause payment to be made of all amounts lawfully assessible and collectible for ad valorem municipal taxation on all the property above described as real estate, and all the property of every kind and character belonging to or pertaining to said Edwards House Company, a corporation; and if, for any reason, in any year said payment shall not be made, due to a failure to assess, then such failure to so assess in such year shall not discharge the city from the obligation to make payment for the full — 727 — amount hereunder assumed, when said assessment is properly made, irrespective of the fact that it may not have been assessed at the time or place originally required by law. “(e) It is expressly agreed that the seller shall be entitled to be paid and to receive and retain as its own, at the times herein agreed to, an amount equal to the full amount of taxes hereinbefore set forth, and that the time of payment is made of the essence of the contract. “(6) It is expressly agreed that the seller will submit to the city of Jackson, upon the completion of any. improvement, full cost thereof, and that the city shall have access to all sources of original information in the possession of the seller whereunder to audit and determine the correct amount of all such improvements as may be made, which shall affect the time during which payment shall be hereunder made. “ (7) Said city shall have no right at any time to have said parcel of land above described paved in any other manner than with a noiseless pavement, which shall exclude all forms of vitrified brick, concrete, and other like pavements, but shall give the right to said city to have said plat paved with wood block, aisphalt, bitulithic, and other substance of similar character. “(8) It is expressly' agreed that all improvements, placed thereon-until the delivery of the deed hereunder,' shall be construed, maintained, and kept in repair at the sole expense of the city, which shall include both sidewalks, street pavements, sewers, water pipes, and all other municipal appliances that may be thereon. “ (9) Said city covenants that it Avill cause to be strictly enforced all of its ordinances as to jitneys, automobiles, and all other-matters between the hours of nine o’clock p. m. and seven o’clock a. m., and that by such enforcement it AAdll respect the use and occupation of said property as a hotel so long as it shall be so used. “(10) Should there be a violation upon the part of — 728 — the seller in the due performance of any of the obligations hereunder assumed, the city, shall be entitled to take immediate possession of said property, subject, nevertheless, to the obligations to pay therefor in the manner and form hereinbefore set forth. “(11) Should said city violate any of the provisions herein set forth in reference, to said property, then the said seller may have said deed discharged of the condition and delivered to it under the terms and conditions herein set forth. “(12) Said deed delivered to the Merchants’ Bank & Trust Company and the property hereinbefore described cuts off, as shown upon the blue print annexed hereto and marked Exhibit ‘A,’ a. certain portion of the building belonging to the Edwards House Company. Said Edwards House Company shall have the right to allow said building to remain as now constructed, just as though these presents had never been executed, for a period of not to exceed twenty years. Should, however, said building be taken down by said Edwards House Company, or said twenty years expire, then the rights of said city shall attach just as though this provision had not been inserted Avith reference to said improvements so in said street as of the date of the expiration hereunder. “(13) There is now located at the Capitol street end of said parcel of ground a certain shed, the posts of which shall be so removed as not to interfere with said street; but the seller shall have the right to allow said shed to remain as now constructed for a period of not to exceed five years, just as though these presents had been unexecuted; but at the end of said period, or when removed, it shall be just as though this exception had not been made.” After the signing of the said contract, the bill alleges that the city failed and refused to issue the voucher therefor ; and the bill was filed to compel the city to specifically perform said contract, and that an injunction mandatory and prohibitory be issued to compel the city at all times — 729 — to observe the terms and conditions in the said contract contained, and prayed for general relief. The answer admitted the signing of the contract, and that said street was opened under the contract; but set up that such contract was ultra vires and beyond the power of the city to execute, setting forth specifically many objections to the legality and validity of said contract. , An agreed statement of facts was filed in the case, in which it is stipulated that a single question of law for decision is the validity of the contract above set out under the charter of the city, and that, if this agreement of facts is not full enough to present this question for decision, supplemental facts would be supplied, it being agreed that there are no facts in dispute, but agreed that the complainants were the owners of the property described in the contract, and that complainants operate a large hotel building adjoining said tract or parcel of land; that the city of Jackson is a municipal corporation operating under a commission form of government, having approximately thirty thousand population; that West Capitol street beginning at West street and ending at Gallatin street is the principal business district in the city, and probably the highest priced property is located diagonally across the street at the corner of Capitol street and Mill street; that the property in question fronts on both Capitol street and Pearl street, approximately fifty feet on each, and extending between substantially parallel lines between said streets one hundred sixty feet; that the right of way of the Illinois Central Railroad Company extends along the entire western edge of said tract or parcel of land; that Capitol street is paved throughout its entire length; that Farish street is paved both north and south of Capitol street; that no street lies east of Farish street until West street is reached, a distance of approximaelv thirteen hundred and twenty-five feet. It was further agreed that Capitol street is badly congested with travel, and that it is desirable to have streets connecting Capitol — 730 — street with Pearl street to relieve the congested traffic, and provide parking space fpr automobiles, etc. It is further agreed that complainants did not desire to part with the property in question, and that the city had been endeavoring for fifteen years last past to have this street opened up to relieve the congestion and to have connection between Capitol street and Pearl street contiguous to the Union Depot. It is further agreed that the city at the time of the making of said contract had issued and outstanding twenty-three thousand, five hundred dollar bonds, carrying an interest charge of one hundred and ten thousand, and that the assessed valuation shown by the assessment rolls was twenty million, one hundred and thirty-two thousand and forty-one dollars and ninety-six cents; that the seller was not willing to sell the property on any other terms than those contained in the contract; that the said Edwards House Company prescribed the terms in the contract with reference to the pavement to be laid thereon, and the conduct of the jitney drivers in view of its hotel business; but for the integration of these prohibitions in the contract the Edwards House Company would have exacted, or endeavored so to do, an additional price; that the question for consideration is the legality of said contract and the deed made in pursuance thereof, and,that the city upon this hearing is at liberty to raise any question of any character whatsoever with reference thereto under the pleadings or under this agreed statement of facts; that the city at once took possession of the property by virtue of the contract, and is enjoying the use and possession thereof solely under the contract and has no right to remain thereon without due compliance with the terms of the contract; that the city has constructed a curb and gutter, laid gravel and otherwise constructed a street, expending thereon, and by such use rendered the same unsuitable for the complainants’ use, and to so restore it would require considerable outlay. The foregoing is a sufficient statement of the facts and — 731 — conditions existing to understand the questions for decision. It will he observed from the statement that this contract was made on April 7, 1920. On April 3, 1920, the legislature by an act amended section 3, chapter 209, Laws of 1918, so as to make that section read as follows: “That no warrant shall be issued or indebtedness incurred by any county or municipality unless there is sufficient money in the particular fund from which the allowance is or must be made to pay such warrant or indebtedness. Provided, however, that such indebtedness may be incurred upon petition of a majority of the qualified electors of the county or municipality. Any such petition shall clearly state the exact amount of the indebtedness sought to be incurred and the definite purpose for which the expenditure is to be made, and the original petition shall be entered, together with the names of the signers, upon the minutes of the board of supervisors or municipal council. When a county or municipal board has incurred such an indebtedness, it shall be the duty of said board to make a special levy upon the taxable property of said county or municipality for the retirement of said indebtedness, and said special levy shall be made at the time, next succeeding the expenditure, when other levies are fixed. But nothing in this act shall prevent a municipality or a county from borrowing money in anticipation of taxes as now provided by law.” Chapter 326, Laws of 1920, section 1. In our opinion this section renders the contract illegal and void, because no indebtedness can be incurred by any municipality when there are insufficient funds in the particular fund which must be drawn upon to pay the contract or indebtedness incurred; there being no pretension that there was a majority of the qualified electors of the municipality who had petitioned for this indebtedness to be incurred. It is quite likely that the parties to the contract knew nothing of the enactment of this statute at — 732 — the time of making the contract. Nevertheless the statute is as effective to render the contract illegal as if the parties had actual knowledge thereof. There are many difficult legal questions apart from the effect of this statute presented by the record, many of which will readily occur to the legal mind giving attentive consideration to the terms of the contract and to the various statutes governing municipalities in this state, but we are relieved from any consideration of any of these questions by the plain provisions of chapter 326, Laws of 1920, above quoted. The Chancellor having held the contract illegal and void, the judgment will be affirmed. Affirmed.