Hutchinson v. Clay Township
Hutchinson v. Clay Township
Opinion of the Court
Opinion by
This action is brought against the township for damages resulting from the negligence of the supervisors in failing properly to maintain a certain culvert or drain, through which the water from a spring on the plaintiff’s farm crossed the public road. This drain covered a natural water course. It became obstructed, whereby the water was backed up upon the plaintiff’s spring house, and became foul and unhealthy.
There is a large body of testimony in the paper-books. There is no necessity to discuss it at length. There are numerous as
This brings us to the defendant’s principal contention. The testimony, it is said, indicates that the main obstruction to the drain is upon the private land of another owner, on the side of the road away from the plaintiff’s spring; that to relieve the obstruction requires the entry upon private property; and that the act of 1836, giving to supervisors the right of such entry, is unconstitutional, because of the alleged absence of provision for compensation to the owner for damages suffered. There is, as we have seen, testimony that the obstruction was in the roadbed, and the verdict of the jury may be sustained on the basis of that testimony.
The act is not unconstitutional. Sections 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32 provide a system of procedure in réspect to any of the acts authorized and directed by the several provisions. So taken, the method is provided for securing the payment of any damages incurred. It is, however, said that in this case the road itself is not benefited, but only the owner of property abutting on the road. It may be replied that there is some evidence that
We are of opinion that in the case as presented to us no error was committed and the judgment is affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.