Campbell's Adm'x v. City Council of Montgomery , 53 Ala. 527 ( 1875 )

BRICKELL, C. J.

The proposition on which appellant relies to support the action is, that the act of incorporation imposes on the city the specific duty of keeping in repair the streets Avithin its territorial limits. The inhabitants are relieved from working on roads and highways without the city, because of the imposition of this duty, and in consideration of its performance. The duty is, therefore, an absolute and perfect corporate duty; and when injury results to an individual from an omission or neglect to perform it, an action for damages rq.ay be supported. The correctness of the proposition is not disputed. It is asserted in our own case of Smoot v. Mayor, &c., 24 Ala. 112; and is maintained by the current of decision in our sister States, and by the decision of the supreme court of the United States. Weightman v. Washington, 1 Black, U. S. 39; 2 Dill. Mun. Cor. § 789.

This duty is performed, when the streets are kept in such condition that they are safe and commodious highways, for the use of the public in their passage over them, whether on foot, or with vehicles, and free from obstructions. It is said by Judge Dillon, speaking of the statutes of the New England States, imposing on towns the duty of keeping highways in repair: “Generally speaking, it may, perhaps correctly, be said, that under these statutes, a town or city, charged with the duty of keeping its highways or streets in repair, performs that duty when the traveled way is without obstruction or structural defects which endanger the safety of travelers, and is sufficiently level and smooth, guarded by railings where necessary, to enable persons, by the exercise of ordinary care, to travel with safety and convenience.” 2 Dill. Mun. Cor. § 788. The words of the act of incorporation are, “The streets and highways in said city shall be kept in repair by said city.” These words import, that there shall not be in the street or highway any defect or imperfection, which renders it unsafe or inconvenient for use by the public; nor any obstruction, either closing them as ways, or hindering the progress of those passing them. They refer to the condition of the street, as the same words, employed in the lease of a house, would refer to the condition of the house. They have no reference to violence, or disorderly conduct of individuals in the streets, which may temporarily endanger the security of those who are passing them. A tenant, bound to keep a house in repair, could not be charged with a breach of the duty, because of a disorderly assemblage in it, disturbing the peace of its inmates, or of the neighborhood, not spoiling or injuring the house. Nor would a turnpike company fail in its, duty to keep its road in repair, because a riot occurred on the road, rendering travel dangerous during its continuance. The corporate duty of the city, to keep its streets in repair, was performed, when the streets were free from “obstructions, or structural defects,” and in a condition for safe and convenient passage.

It is not averred that, in this respect, there was any breach of duty, nor that the death of the intestate was caused by the ill repair of the streets. The assemblage, and the dangerous and unlawful practices in which they engaged, with the knowledge of the corporate officers, and without any effort by them for prosecution of these practices, is treated by the complaint, and by the argument of appellant’s counsel, as a defect in, or obstruction of the streets, from which the death of the intestate resulted. Though temporarily the assemblage may have blocked the streets from passage, and the explosion of powder in anvils may have endangered the safety of those on or near the streets, it would be a strangely lat-itudinous use of words to say thereby the streets were out of repair.

The death of the intestate was not caused by the condition of the street, but by the unlawful act of those who had assembled in it. The case is not distinguishable from the case of Boyland v City of New York, 1 Sandf. Sup. Ct. 27. A committee of the common council, acting with a committee of citizens, called a public meeting in one of the parks of the city, for the consideration of national affairs. While the meeting was in session, sundry persons were engaged in firing cannon in the park; and, through their carelessness, the plaintiff, while passing, was seriously injured by one of the discharges. It was held, that the city was not liable for injuries inflicted by the negligence, recklessness, or violations of law of the persons engaged in firing the cannon. In that case, as in this, no relation whatever existed between the city and the persons whose negligence or wautonness produced the injury. Without such relation, or the breach of an absolute, perfect corporate duty, no liability could rest' on the corporation.

A municipal corporation, like a natural person, is liable to individuals, for a violation of duty owing to them, from which they sustain injury. 2 Dill. Mun. Cor. § 761. Such corporations are also liable for the misfeasance of their servants or agents in the exercise of corporate powers, or the performance of corporate duties. Ib. § 764. The ground of the liability is, that the superior must answer civilly for the negligence-or want of skill of his agent or servant. Ib. § 766. These admitted principles do not aid the appellant. The only duty resting on the corporation, under the facts stated, was the passage and enforcement of such ordinances and by-laws, as would suppress such assemblages as that described, or would prevent them from engaging in such practices in the streets. The corporation has ample power for these purposes, and the averments of the complaint indicated had fully exercised it. The power and duty is governmental, not ministerial; and if there had been negligence in its exercise, no private action would lie, to redress injuries resulting therefrom. Dargan v Mayor, 31 Ala. 174; Davis v. City Council, 51 Ala.; 2 Dill. Mun. Cor. §§ 753, 754, 760.

If there was an omission of duty, contributing, directly or indirectly, to the death of the intestate, it was the omission, not of the city, but of its police. The police are public officers, whose appointment is provided for by the act of incorporation, and who are clothed with the powers, and declared ex officio constables within the city. No liability rests on the city for their official delinquencies. 2 Dill. Mun. Cor. § 773-. We quote with approbation the following observations, from the case of Prather v City of Lexington, 13 B. Monroe, 563. “The officers of a city are quasi civil officers of the government, although appointed by the corporation. They are personally liable for their malfeasance, or non-feasance in office; but for neither is the corporation responsible. Omissions of a duty imposed upon them by law, productive of prejudice to an individual, is not a corporate injury. The duty of the officers of the city is prescribed by the statute, from which also they derive their power. The corporation appoints them to office, but does not, in that act, sanction their official delinquencies, or render themselves liable for their official misconduct.”

The action cannot be supported, without affirming that for all violence, from which personal injuries result, committed within the city, and which a diligent observance of duty by the police could have prevented, the city is liable in damages to those injured. There is no authority for the affirmation of such a principle.

Neither count of the complaint disclosed a cause of action, and the demurrers were properly sustained. Let the judgment be affirmed. •