City of Decatur v. Southern Railway Co.

Upon the former appeal in this case (183 Ala. 531, 62 South. 855, 48 L. R. A. [N. S.] 231), the effect of the holding was that the assessment in question was not enforceable by a lien upon and sale of the complainant’s roadbed or right of way for the reasons therein set forth, and to which ruling we strictly adhere. It is true this court did not expressly hold *366that the property was not assessable for this special tax, and also declined to decide whether or not there conld be a personal judgment against this complainant for said special tax. We did hold, however, that the bill contained equity in so far as it attempted to enjoin a sale of the complainant’s roadbed or right of way to enforce the collection of said tax, and which seems to be the purpose for which said bill was filed.

We may add, however, upon this appeal, that the assessment upon the property in question will not support a proceeding in rem for the reasons set out upon the former appeal, and that it will not authorize a personal judgment for the reasons set otit in the case of City of Huntsville v. Madison Co., 166 Ala. 389, 52 South. 326. We did not hold in said case, supra, and do not now hold, that the Legislature could not provide for a personal judgment for said special tax; but we then held, and now hold, that the statute in question did not authorize a personal judgment. If the statute, in authorizing the tax, provided no means for collecting same, an action at law would lie to collect same, or, if the Legislature authorized a personal judgment, it could be procured, but, when the Legislature has authorized a method of collection, that method is exclusive.-—Huntsville v. Madison Co., supra, and authorities there cited.

The statute in question authorizes only a proceeding in rem for the collection of this special tax, and as we have heretofore held the assessment cannot be enforced by a sale of the property, and as we now hold it will not authorize a personal judgment, it is nonenforceable and amounts to nothing more than mere cloud upon complainant’s title.

The judgment of the law and equity court is affirmed.

Affirmed.