402
FEDERAL REPOR'l'lm,
vol. 67.
subrogation, under a valid pre-existing lien. There was no con· tract because of the mental incapacity of the owner to enter into a contract. There was, therefore, as to the mortgage, no lien and no subrogation. But as to the tax lien the .case was different. That was a valid pre-existing lien, the discharge of which necessarily inured to the, benefit of the owner, whose interests could not be injuriously by subrogating the party who paid the money to discharge it to all the remedies of the lien. It follows from what has already been said that the accounting between De Lashmutt and Starr, relied upon by complainant, cannot be set up against the latter's title. The case admits of but a single question, and that is the question of the mental soundness of the defendant De Lashmutt's grantor. The exceptions are allowed. BARR v. MAYOR, ETC., OF CITY OF NEW BRUNSWICK et aL
(Circuit Court. D. New Jersey. April 15, 1895.) 1. CONSTITUTIONAL
The exercise of the right and power of eminent domain is due process of law, if the condItions of its exercise are obseryed.
PROCESS OF LAW-EMINENT DOMAIN.
2.
'1'he city of N., tllrough its common councIl, In the exercise of Its discretion, determined to close a certain street, and, layout a new street In lieu thereof. The proposed change was greatly to the advantage of · the P. Ry. Co., which had agreed to ,pay all, the expenses attending It. The steps requIred to close the one street and layout the other were all regularly taken. Held, that the property of one whose land was required for the new street Would not thereby be taken without due process of law. '
SAME-BENEFIT TO INDIVIDUAL.
This was a suit by Henry J. Barr against the city of New BrUnSwick and the Pennsylvania, Railroad Company to enjoin the taking ot complainant's property under the power of eminent domain. Complainant moved ,for a preliminary injunction. Denied. Alan H. Strong, for complainant. JamesB. Vredenburgh"OharlesE. Gummere, and Frederick Weigel, for defendants; GREEN,District Judge. There is but a single question presented by the moving papers in this case, and that is whether the defendant is threatening to deprive the complainant of certain of his lands, situate in the,city of New Brunswick, without due process of law, contrary to the provisions of the fourteenth amendment to the constitution of the United States, which, in terms, forbids such action. The facts are that the city of ;New Brunswick; through its legislative depal'tment, is about to vacate a certain street within its corporate limits, 'and to layout, in lieu thereof, another street for public use. To do this latter, it will be necessary to take, by the exercise of the power of eminent domain, apart of certain lands belonging to the complainant. And it is to prevent this that the interference of this court asked. Jt is alleged by the complainant" and not
BARR V. MAYOR,
OF CITY OF NEW , BRUNSWICK.
403
denied, that the proposed vacation of the street will be gl'eatly to the benefit of. the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and that the railroad company has agreed ,to pay all the expenses which may arise on account of the vacation of the one street and the laying out of the other, and that these facts are conclusive as to the use to which the lands of the complainant are to be put; that the whole transaction is intended to benefit the railroad company and not ,the public, and therefore should be prevented. Even if this were so, it is extremely doubtful whether this court has any jurisdiction of the subject-matter. It is not denied that every step which has been taken by the common council is strictly in accordance with the require. ments of the charter concerning and regulating the vacation and laying out of streets by the municipality. From the first "notice of intention," to the "approval" of the ordinance by the mayor, which accomplishes the design, every act is strictly in harmony with existing law. The policy, the necessity, of the proposed action, is a mat· tel' solely within the judicial discretion of the common council,the legislative department of the municipality. With that there can be no interference. Having determined those questions, it only remains that the necessary proceedings taken should be in entire and full accord with law, that is, should be in fact "due process of law." The moving papers show such to be the fact. The fourteenth amendment was intended to secure .the individual from the arbitrary exercise of the power of the government, unrestrained by established pri.nciples of private rights. The right of private property is unassailable under the constitution, except by due process of law. The exercise of the right and power of eminent domain is "due process of law" if the established conditions of its exercise are observed. In this case they seem to have been literally complied with. It follows, then, that the complainant's property will be taken, if at all, only by "due process of law," and to that it is liable, and of that he cannot complain.' That the railroad company will be benefited by the proposed action of the common council, and that it has agreed to pay all necessary expenses arising from the vacation and laying out of the streets in question cannot affect the matter. The affidavits sub· mitted by defendant clearly show that the public interest will be promoted by the proposed action; and, if that be so, it is perfectly proper to invoke the right of eminent domain, although private in· terests may also gain largely. The promise of the railroad company to pay such expenses as the proposed action of the common council may cause does not invalidate such action, nor militate in any degree against the contention that the lands of the complainant are to be taken ''by due process of law." The supreme court of New Jersey, in the case of North Baptist Church v. City of Orange, 54 N. J. Law, 111, 22 Atl. 1004, distinctly held that "a promise made by a citizen to pay for the expenses of opening a street is not opposed to public policy, and an ordinance passed by the common council to open such street will not upon that ground be set aside." It appearing from the record that all the requirements of law touching the exercise, Qf the right of eminent domain by the defend·
104
I'EDEBAL REPORTER,
ant have been compIled with fD: this case, and that the lands of the complainant are to be taken only by "due process of law," there is no reason for any action by this court in the premises, further than to dissolve the enjoining order heretofore granted, to discharge the rule to show cause, and to dismiss the bill of complaint, with costs.
FARMERS' LOAN &, TRUST CO. T. OREGON & W. T. R. CO. (HUNT, In· tervener.) (Circuit Court; D. Oregon. April 22, 1895.) No. 1,896.
1.
PA.YMENT-WHAT CONSTITUTES-PURCHASE OR DISCHARGE OIl' COUPONS.
Bonds of a railroad were issued to a construction company, and by it turned over to intervener under a contract with him for the construction of the road. Intervener was the president and manager of the railroad company, and held practically all its stock. He sold the bonds from time to time to obtain money for construction, part of the price being retained in each instance by the purchaser to pay matured and maturing coupons. Coupons on bonds held by intervener were carried by him. Subsequently, under a contract which was practically a sale of the road tree from all indebtedness, ail remaining bonds were sold to the purchaser ot the tormer bonds. Held, that the coupons 'so "carried" or to pay which money was retained out of the price were discharged, not purchased, and intervener was not entitled to share. as the holder of them, in the proceeds of a foreclosure.
lL
ESTOPPEL-By PLEADINGS-INCONSISTENT POSITIONS.
On intervention in a railroad bond foreclosure suit, the principai bondholder is not estopped to claim that the contract under which the bonds were acquired was in effect a purchase of the road, by a sworn answer filed by him in an intervention by another party, where the same question became material, denying that he ever became owner of the franchises and properties Involved, or interested therein otherwise than by purchase of bonds and stocks.
In Equity. Bill by the Farmers' Loan & Trust Company against the Oregon & Washington Territory Railroad Company to foreclose a mortgage. George W. Hunt intervenes. Petition denied. C. E. S. Wood, fOl" intervener. L. L. McArthur, for respondent Wright. BELLINGER, District Judge. The petition of George W. Hunt prays that he may be allowed to share in the proceeds of the sale which has been had, on foreclosure, of the Oregon & Washington Territory Railroad. He claims as the owner of coupons of the value or amount of $233,340, originally belonging to the bonds secured by the mortgage for the foreclosure of which this suit was brought. The Oregon & Washington Territory Railroad originated with the people of Pendleton, Or., who organized a company, and procured money by sullscription, to inaugurate the building of a line from Pendleton to Wallula Junction. Hunt became the contractor to build the road. . Soon thereafter the enterprise was, in