State v. City of Paterson
State v. City of Paterson
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the court was delivered by
The material points in this case are the same as those considered and decided at the present term in State, Youngster et al., pros., v. City of Paterson, with this exception : It appears that before Totowa avenue was graded from
January 17th, 1870, the name of Wallis street was changed, to Totowa avenue, and an ordinance passed directing it to be graded. It does not appear by the return that the proceedings were taken which are required by the charter for widening a street. These relate to the notice of application to have-the widening done; hearing of those interested; appointment, of commissioners and their duties; action of the board of aldermen upon the report; payment for land taken and, damages. See charter, Laws of 1869, p. 706, §§ 104-108.
But these proceedings are prescribed where the lands are-taken for widening the street, in invitum, by condemnation.. These lauds thus used belonged to the estate of Wallis, and it does not appear in this case that any person interested, as-owner, in such lands, has objected to this appropriation by-the city, and it may be that the additional ten feet have been, dedicated.
In Mayor, &c., of Newark ads. State, Batten, pros., 3 Vroom 453, there was no direct evidence on this point, but it was-held that the ordinance referring to the street as one in existence, and directing it to be graded and curbed, and the fact that the grading and curbing were done by the city officials, without objection by the owners, would lead the court to infer-legally that the land for the street had been acquired by arrangement with the owners before the ordinance providing for the grading and assessment.
It was said that every reasonable intendment should be-made, under such circumstances, in favor of the conduct of those who are clothed with a public trust and are acting in the line of their duty. Such presumptions are often made
For the reasons given in the other case referred to, this assessment should also be affirmed, with costs.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- STATE, SOCIETY FOR ESTABLISHING USEFUL MANUFACTURES, PROSECUTORS v. CITY OF PATERSON
- Status
- Published