Alberts v. Torrent
Alberts v. Torrent
Opinion of the Court
This is an amicable proceeding to test the right of the aldermen of the city of Muskegon to compensation as members of the boards of registration and inspectors of election. The common council voted the relator and other aldermen compensation for such services at the rate of three dollars per day. This action was vetoed by the mayor, but was passed over his veto. The respondent refused to sign the warrants, whereupon the relator filed this petition for the writ of mandamus.
Section 16, tit. 5, of the charter
“No alderman shall be elected or appointed to any other office in the city during the term for which he was elected as alderman, or appointed to any other office in the city within one year thereafter.”
Section 40, tit. 5, provides that—
“The aldermen shall not be allowed to receive more than $100 each in any year, “as compensation for their services.”
Section 14, tit. 6, provides that—
“ No member of the common council, or alderman, shall receive any compensation for his services, either as councilman, alderman, or otherwise, except as herein provided.” .
The following charter provisions bear upon the question:
Section 3, tit. 2: “One of the aldermen of each ward and a competent elector of each' voting precinct, to he designated by the common council, shall constitute a board of registration for each of the voting precincts respectively.*514 In case either member of such board.of registration may be absent or unable to attend any meeting of the board of registration, the other member of said board may choose a competent elector of said voting precinct to act as a member of said board, subject to the approval of the electors present, to be determined by a viva voce vote. * * * All proceedings relating to such registration of electors shall be the same as those provided by law for townships, so far as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this act.”
Section 7, tit. 3: “One alderman of each ward and a competent elector of each voting precinct, to be designated by the common council, shall be inspectors of election in such voting precinct, and of the State, county, and district election. And in case of the absence of one or more of such inspectors, the electors present may choose viva voce from their number one or more competent persons, who shall be an elector or electors of such voting precinct, to fill such vacancy or vacancies, to whom shall be administered the constitutional oath by either of said inspectors, or by any justice of the peace.”
It is unnecessary, under the circumstances, to issue the writ, as both parties are willing to comply with the opinion of the Court. No costs will be allowed.
Act No. 304, Local Acts of 1889.'
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Frank Alberts v. John Torrent, Mayor of the City of Muskegon
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published