Spangler v. City of Cleveland
Spangler v. City of Cleveland
Opinion of the Court
Plaintiff brought her action to enjoin the collection of a special assessment to pay the expense of opening Hough avenue. The petition avers, “ there was assessed on the land abutting on said Hough avenue an assessment,” etc. The property assessed included the land of plaintiff.
As the plaintiff’s right to this relief must be clear, does the testimony given on the trial clearly show such a right? The question is not, can this land be sold for this assessment? Neither is the questiou, would a title under a tax sale- to pay this assessment be valid ? Here the plaintiff
The facts asked by plaintiff' to be presumed are such as plaintiff could seek to establish with evidence; and, as it does not appear that any evidence was offered that the court did not receive and consider, we must disregard presumptions, and we must look only to the plaintiff’s evidence for the proof of her right to an injunction.
For a perpetual injunction the courts require that there ‘should be no doubt in the case, and that the plaintiff must make out a clear and unexceptionable right. Dan. Ch. 1681.
“ Coui'ts will not exercise this necessary authority when 'the right is doubtful or the facts not definitely ascertained.” Burnham v. Kempton, 44 N. H. 92.
“ The right must be clear.” Bonaparte v. Camden and Amboy R. R. Co., 1 Bald. 218.
In her amendment to the petition plaintiff averred, •1. “ There has never, by anybody, been a valuation of any special benefits conferred by said opening of Hough avenue;” 2. “ nor has there ever been a determination that said assessment was apportioned in proportion to the special benefits derived from such opening; ” 3. “ or that said assessment did not exceed said benefits; ” 4. “ and in truth and in fact said assessment was not on the property benefited thereby, but only on the property fronting on said street.” All these averments were denied; and the plaintiff had the burden of proving a clear right to an injunction; and, in proof of the averments -and of such right,
The plaintiff asked for an injunction, she had the burden of showing her right to such an exercise of the power of the court. In the opinion of the district court, plaintiff failed to show that she had such a clear right. We think the court did not err.
We do not express auy opinion upon other questions sought to be raised in the case.
Judgment affirmed.
Reference
- Status
- City Clerk.</p> <p>“Cleveland