Barker v. Hamilton
Barker v. Hamilton
Opinion of the Court
This original action was one in which Frank Barker sought to enjoin the city of Hamilton from passing an ordinance making a contract with a public utility to furnish gas to the inhabitants of the city for a period of ten years.
It was claimed that prior to the passage of such ordinance there had been filed a petition by the electors of the city to submit an ordinance providing for a contract between the city and another public utility for the purchase by said city of gas to be used through the distribution system belonging to the city, for the inhabitants thereof. The cause was appealed from the Butler Common Pleas to the Court of Appeals refusing an injunction and dissolving a temporary restraining order theretofore granted.
On motion to certify in the Supreme Court, it is claimed by Barker that this ordinance was void because the power to pass same had been
_ It is contended that a construction of section 4 and 5 of Article 18 of the Constitution of Ohio is necessary; and also of 4311, 3698, and 3699 GC. The question is raised as to whether the contract ordinance submitted as the Gas Company’s bid is such a deviation from the ordinance and advertisement calling for bids as to be illegal for that reason alone.
It is claimed by Barker that the Court of Appeals was in error in dissolving the injunction because it found that it had no power or authority to restrain the city council from proceeding to act upon the ordinance and from voting upon same for the reason that this proceeding is prematurely brought and at this time there is no adequate remedy at law. The court though not writing an opinion stated that the taxpayer could invoke the right of referendum. It is claimed this is error for if the referendum were defeated the alleged illegal ordinance contract would nevertheless stand.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- BARKER v. HAMILTON (City) et
- Status
- Published