Hawke v. McAllister
Hawke v. McAllister
Concurring Opinion
While concurring, I deem it necessary, in order to more clearly present my views of the case, to add something to the foregoing opinion. The complaint shows that the plaintiff, whether eligible to the office of supervisor or not, received his certificate of election, and thereafter qualified under the law and assumed the duties of the office. He became thereby at least a de facto officer. The statutes do not confer upon the board of supervisors authority to pass upon the eligibility of its members, nor to declare a vacancy by reason of the ineligibility of any member. There was therefore no power in the remaining members of the board to declare a vacancy by reason of McAllister’s ineligibility, and their act in electing Nichols to fill such assumed vacancy was utterly void. Such a void act could not operate to oust Mc-Allister from his office. Nor did Nichols become by such act, and by the recognition of the other members of the board, a de facto supervisor. He was a mere usurper. McAllister still remained a de facto member of the board. If McAllister was the de facto officer, he was entitled to recognition as such by
Opinion of the Court
This case was tried and judgment rendered May 29, 1893. Motion for new trial was made and overruled on date of the judgment; a notice of appeal given, and bond on appeal executed, on same date of the judgment. The court adjourned the term on September 9, 1893, and on September 18, 1893, a bill of exceptions was delivered to the clerk by counsel for appellant; and two days thereafter the judge signed and settled said bill, against the objections of counsel for appellee.
The case having been tried more than ten days before the end of the term, and the bill of exceptions not having been filed before the end of the term, it cannot be considered as a part of the record. Laws 1893, act 9; Hand v. Ruff, 3 Ariz. 175, 24 Pac. 257; Gila R. I. Co. v. Wolfley, 3 Ariz. 176, 24 Pac. 257; Sweet v. Perkins, 24 Fed. 777; Salt River Canal Co. v. Hickey, post, p. 240, 36 Pac. 171. A notice of appeal having been given, and an appeal-bond having been executed, the appeal cannot be dismissed; but we are compelled to examine the record, and consider the errors, if any,-that go to the foundation of the action. Rev. Stats., pars. 937, 945; Rankert v. Clow, 16 Tex. 9; Hollingsworth v. Holshousen, 17 Tex. 47; Salt River Canal Co. v. Hickey, supra. The only question thus presented is the decision of the court overruling the motion to dismiss the proceedings, which, in effect, was a demurer to the complaint on the grounds that it did not contain facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action.
On April 19, 1893, appellee, plaintiff below, presented his complaint in the form of an affidavit for a mandamus against appellants, defendants below, Nat Hawke, W. K. Perkins, E. A. Nichols, and Frank Hare, to compel them to do certain things enumerated. The facts set forth in said affidavit are
The allegations contained in the said affidavit constituted a cause of action. Eev. Stats., pars. 2335, 2336. Indeed, it would be difficult to create a state of facts, if one should be permitted to choose his own materials for that purpose, to make a stronger case. An examination of the answer discloses the reasons for the actions of the defendants, which would otherwise be reprehensible. The judgment should be affirmed, and it is so ordered.
Hawkins, J., concurs.
Baker, C. J., did not take part in this case.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- NAT HAWKE, Clerk of Board of Supervisors, and v. JAMES P. McALLISTER, and
- Status
- Published