{ "id": 8656336, "name": "COMMISSIONERS v. TRUST COMPANY", "name_abbreviation": "Commissioners v. Trust Co.", "decision_date": "1906-11-21", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "110", "last_page": "115", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "143 N.C. 110" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C.", "id": 9292, "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "131 N. C., 657", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8662486 ], "opinion_index": -1, "case_paths": [ "/nc/131/0657-01" ] }, { "cite": "108 N. C., 678", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8651555 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/108/0678-01" ] }, { "cite": "77 N. C., 255", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8682564 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/77/0255-01" ] }, { "cite": "4 Mo., 308", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mo.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "10 S. C., 52", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "S.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "4 La. Ann., 419", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "La. Ann.", "case_ids": [ 4900888 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/la-ann/4/0419-01" ] }, { "cite": "145 Fed. Rep., 765", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "14 Ill., 297", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 2584647 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/14/0297-01" ] }, { "cite": "131 N. C., 657", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8662486 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/131/0657-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 525, "char_count": 10710, "ocr_confidence": 0.43, "pagerank": { "raw": 3.8481474846353e-07, "percentile": 0.8994960710064563 }, "sha256": "fbdb8d7c30b980f9209f6a386b69dd24da60608906055edf5369fcbdf3999d71", "simhash": "1:9b09d6d1256d5650", "word_count": 1834 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T18:13:26.496500+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "COMMISSIONERS v. TRUST COMPANY." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Bboww, J.\nIt is contended by the defendant that the bond issue is void for two reasons: First, because the charter of the town of Salem, authorizing the issue, was not passed by the General Assembly and the ayes and noes entered on its journals in accordance with Article II, section 11, .of the Constitution of this State. Second, because the ordinance directing the issue of the bonds and submitting the question to a vote of the people was not passed by a three-fourths majority of the entire Board of Commissioners of the town, as required by the charter.\nIn respect to the first objection made to the validity of the bonds, it is admitted that the journals of the House of Representatives are entirely regular and that the bill was passed by the House in strict conformity to the organic law. But on its passage by the Senate it is contended that the negative votes were not recorded. The entries on the Senate Journal in respect to this bill are as follows: \u201cSenate Journal, Senate Chamber, January 23, 1891. The bill passed its second reading. Ayes 39, noes . ., as follows:\u201d Then follows a list of those voting in the affirmative, without any reference to those voting in the negative. \u201cThe bill passed its third reading. Ayes 34, noes . ., as follows:\u201d Then follows a list of those voting in the affirmative, with no further reference to those voting in the negative.\nIt is admitted that the case of Debnam v. Chitty, 131 N. C., 657, is an express authority sustaining defendant\u2019s contention. After much reflection, we are unwilling to follow the decision of the Court in that case, in so far as it holds that the entries upon the journal do not indicate that there werte no negative votes. In the dissenting opinion of Mr. Justice Olarh it is said: \u201cThe expression, Hasses by the following vote: Ayes 94 (giving names), nays . .is as express and intelligent declaration that there were no negative votes as if the word \u2018none\u2019 had been used. Nays . ., after the words \u2018passes by the following vote/ and giving those voting \u2018Aye/ can convey no other meaning. Is it not hypercritical to say that \u2018Nays . .\u2019 did not mean that there were no names in the negative ?\u201d\nThis-provision in our Constitution serves an important purpose in compelling each member present to publicly assume his share of the responsibility in the passage of such legislation, but more particularly in furnishing conclusive evidence whether the bill has been passed by a constitutional majority. In passing upon a similar question the Supreme Court of Illinois says: \u201cThe Constitution prescribes this as the test by which to determine whether the requisite number of members vote in the affirmative.\u201d \u201cIt must appear on the face of the journal that the bill passed by a constitutional majority.\u201d Spangler v. Jacoby, 14 Ill., 297; Cooley\u2019s Constitutional Limitations (7 Ed.), 201.\nThe entries upon the Senate Journal give the names of a large majority of the total membership of that body as voting for the passage of this bill upon the second and third readings, so that there can be no question of its passage by a constitutional majority. But the entries indicate further that the bill passed by a unanimous vote and that there were no names to be recorded as voting in the negative. This identical question was considered by the Circuit Court of Appeals, Eourth Circuit, in the case of Commissioners of Onslow v. Tollman, 145 Fed. Rep., 765, a case originating in this State. In his opinion, Judge McDowell, referring to Debnam v. Chitty, says: \u201cAfter the most careful consideration that we have been able to give the subject, we find ourselves unable to adopt the construction given the clause in question by the learned Supreme Court of North Carolina.\u201d So are we unable to agree with our predecessors, and in that respect we overrule the decision referred to.\nIt is next contended that the ordinance under which the election was held to authorize said issue of bonds was not passed by the Board of Commissioners of the Town of Salem as prescribed by the charter. Section 70 of said chapter reads as follows: \u201cThat under the powers hereby conferred upon the Board of Commissioners, they may borrow money or create a public debt only after they have passed an ordinance by a three-fourths vote of the entire board at two separate regular meetings * * * .\u201d There were originally elected seven Commissioners as prescribed by the charter; one had resigned, leaving six members of the board at the time of the second passage of the ordinance. At the meeting of the board, when the ordinance was alleged to have been passed-the second time, only five members of the board were present, all voting for the passage of said ordinance.\nIt is argued by the defendant that the ordinance is not valid unless passed by three-fourths of the entire board; that the entire number is seven, and five is not three-fourths of seven; that in the construction of the language of the charter, there cannot be taken into consideration vacancies, however bona fide they may be, and the language means three-fourths of the entire board provided for by the charter.\nThe authorities which the learned counsel for the defendant have called to our attention do not bear out his contention that the language of the charter should be construed as if it read three-fourths of the entire board elected. Such a provision is not uncommon in charters of municipal corporations, and the fact that the word \u201celected\u201d was omitted after the word \u201cboard\u201d is indicative to us that the Legislature intended that three-fourths of the entire membership of the board in existence at the passage of the ordinance should have power to pass such an ordinance. Wherever the special provision in such charters contains the words \u201centire board elected,\u201d or similar terms, it is invariably held that all' the members elected must be taken into account. Dillon on Mun. Corp., sec. 281. We are unable to find any judicial decision which places the same construction upon the words \u201centire board,\u201d when the word \u201celected\u201d does not follow.\nThe term board, when used in municipal charters,' seems to have two meanings \u2014 one abstract, having reference to the legislative creation, the corporate entity, which is continuous, and the other referring to its members, the individuals composing the board. The words \u201centire board,\u201d as used ,in the Salem charter, refer to the membership of the board, and were evidently inserted to guard against hasty municipal legislation by requiring three-fourths of all the members to concur. As the board, the corporate body, was composed of only six members when this ordinance was finally adopted, five of its members being present and voting for its passage, the requirements of the charter were fully complied with. So in a case where the power of amotion was conferred upon a municipal council to be exercised \u201cby a vote of three-fourths of that body,\u201d this was held to give the power of removal to three-fourths of a legal quorum. Three-fourths of the members elected were not required. Warnock v. Lafayette, 4 La. Ann., 419. In South Carolina it is held that where, of eighteen managers (a board constituted to try a certain election) appointed by the Legislature, two .refused to qualify, one was disqualified and one was dead at the time the board of managers convened, the remaining fourteen, being all the members in esse, properly constituted the board and might act by a majority of the fourteen. State v. Deliesseline, 10 S. C., 52. It is held in Missouri that an amendment is ratified by the \u201cHouse\u201d within the meaning of the Constitution of that State when it is ratified by two-thirds of a legal quorum; that when a legal quorum was present, that was in law tbe \u201cHouse.\u201d State v. McBride, 4 Mo., 308. See also Stanford v. Ellington, 77 N. C., 255.\nIn construing tbe meaning of tbe words, _ \u201cwitb tbe concurrence of a majority of tbe justices of tbe peace,\u201d this Court bas beld tbat, where a majority of tbe justices of tbe county are assembled, tbe justices were in legal session, and a majority of tbat majority could legally act. Cotton Mills v. Commissioners, 108 N. C., 678.\nWe are of tbe opinion, therefore, in this case tbat tbe words \u201centire board\u201d mean all tbe members of the board in existence, and not all those originally elected. When tbe five members assembled they constituted a legal board,. and a majority of tbat five bad tbe right to pass any ordinary matter ; but as to borrowing money or creating indebtedness, such ordinances must receive tbe sanction of three-fourths of tbe then membership of tbe board, whether present or not.\nAffirmed.", "type": "majority", "author": "Bboww, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "A. H. Eller and Peele & Maynard for the plaintiffs.", "Manly & Uendren for the defendant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "COMMISSIONERS v. TRUST COMPANY.\n(Filed November 21, 1906).\nStatutes* \u2014 \u201cAy e and-No\u201d Vote \u2014 Entries on Journals \u2014 Municipal Corporations \u2014 Ordinances\u2014Enactment.\n1. An entry on the legislative journal that \u201cThe bill passed its second reading, ayes 39, noes . ., as follows:\u201d then follows a list of those voting in the affirmative, without any reference to those voting in the negative, indicates that the hill passed by a unanimous vote and that there were no names to be recorded in the negative, and is a compliance with the requirements of Art. II, sec. 14, of the Constitution, that the ayes and noes shall be entered on the journals. Debnarn v. CMtty, 131 N. C., 657, overruled.\n2. Where the charter of a town provided that the Board of Commissioners might create a debt only after they had passed an ordinance by a \u201cthree-fourths vote of the entire board,\u201d the words \u201centire board\u201d mean all the members of the board in existence and not all those provided for by the charter; and where seven Commissioners were elected and one resigned, the passage of an ordinance by a vote of five members was sufficient.\nActioN by Board of Commissioners against Wachovia Loan and Trust Company, heard by Judge G. W. Ward at the September Term, 1905, of the Superior Court of Eob-syti-i.\nThe defendant entered into a contract with the town of Salem to purchase from the said town $100,000 par value of its bonds at the price of $101,750. The bonds were a part of a total issue of $125,000, issued pursuant to an election held on 26 June, 1906, under the provisions of the charter of the town of Salem, being chapter 40 of the Acts of 1891. On the tender of the bonds by plaintiffs, defendant refused to accept same on the ground that said bonds were not of a valid issue of bonds and did not constitute a legal obligation of the said town of Salem. Plaintiffs brought suit to enforce the contract, and the case was heard on the complaint and answer. From the judgment rendered, defendant appealed.\nA. H. Eller and Peele & Maynard for the plaintiffs.\nManly & Uendren for the defendant." }, "file_name": "0110-01", "first_page_order": 150, "last_page_order": 155 }