Ridge v. State Ex Rel. Tate , 206 Ala. 349 ( 1921 )

This proceeding is filed under the act approved February 12, 1919 (Gen. Acts 1919, p. 52), which is entitled:

"An act to declare and abate nuisances defined in the act, and to prescribe procedure, remedies, punishments, and penalties."

The nuisances dealt with by the act (section 1) are defined as:

Any "building, erection, or place or any separate part or portion thereof, or the ground itself; * * * in or upon which lewdness, assignation or prostitution is conducted, permitted, continued, or exists, and the personal property and contents used in conducting or maintaining any such place for any such purpose."

Appellant contends that the subject of the act is not "clearly expressed in the title," as required by section 45 of the Constitution. The meaning and construction of that provision has been often considered by this court.

In Mobile Trans. Co. v. City of Mobile, 128 Ala. 335,30 So. 645, 64 L.R.A. 333, 86 Am. St. Rep. 143, it was said:

"The object of this provision of the Constitution was to prevent surprise and fraud, in passing laws under misleading titles. It should not, therefore, be construed so as to defeat, by too technical an application, legislation not clearly within the evil aimed at. If the title of an act is single and directs the mind to the subject of the law in a way calculated to direct the attention truly to the matter which is proposed to be legislated upon, the object of the provision is satisfied. In such case, the generality of the title, not defining the particulars of the proposed legislation, would be more apt to excite general attention than otherwise, since the general words would give warning that everything within their limits might be affected and thus draw the attention of the whole body of legislators while narrower words only interest those concerned with the matters specially named. It is, therefore, held that the generality of the title is no objection if it may comprehend the particulars of the body of the act, and that the act must be upheld if the subject may be comprehended in the title."

In Ballentyne v. Wickersham, 75 Ala. 536, which discusses the subject at length, and is the leading authority in this state, it was said that the subject, as stated in the title, "may be as broad and comprehensive as the Legislature may choose to make it."

The subject of the act here in question is the abatement of certain nuisances by appropriate procedure and penalties. There is nothing in the generality of the title which is calculated to mislead or deceive as to the subject-matter of the act. Nor does the act contain more than one subject. It was necessary to define the nuisances intended to be abated, and every provision found in the act is cognate to its title, and germane to its one comprehensive purpose. We hold, therefore, that the act, as to its title and substance, does not offend section 45 of the Constitution.

In the abatement of nuisances by writ of injunction, the court of chancery exercises its inherent jurisdiction, and the proceeding therefore is strictly civil in its nature. Unaided by statute, the power of the court is limited to the suppression of the nuisance, and does not extend to the confiscation or destruction of property, the mere use of which creates or contributes to the offense. Radney v. Town of Ashland, 199 Ala. 635, 75 So. 25, L.R.A. 1917E, 366; Cuba v. Miss. C. O. Co., 150 Ala. 259, 43 So. 706; Chenango, etc., Co. v. Paige, 83 N.Y. 178, 38 Am. Rep. 407; 29 Cyc. 1250.

It is, however, within the power of the Legislature to confer upon courts of chancery the authority to condemn and confiscate the property of individuals by them used, or permitted to be used, for criminal or immoral purposes; the suppression of crime and vice by the enforcement of such penalties and forfeitures being clearly within the police power of the state. We see no constitutional objection to the act in this aspect.

Such a proceeding in so far as it involves the confiscation of property thus unlawfully used, is in no sense a criminal prosecution, though it may be regarded as quasi criminal, and it is not within the purview of those provisions of the Constitution which prescribe the methods and regulate the procedure, and protect the rights of defendants in criminal prosecutions. Ex parte Pepper, 185 Ala. 284, 64 So. 112.

If it be conceded that the proceeding involves a seizure of property within the meaning of section 5 of the Constitution, which requires probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, that requirement is clearly met by the provisions of this act.

As to the requirement of a sworn answer from respondents in these proceedings, and the suggestion that it violates section 6 of the Constitution declaring that one who is accused of crime "shall not be compelled to give evidence against himself," it is sufficient to say that, if the required answer would involve incriminating admissions of a criminal offense by a respondent, such respondent can successfully invoke the protection of his constitutional privilege by making the proper showing to the court. In such a case, the respondent not denying his responsibility for the nuisance charged, the result would normally be a decree pro confesso, followed, by a final decree, according to the usual course of chancery practice; and the respondent could not be compelled to answer, as in contempt of the court.

It is clear that the act does not provide for the taking of property without due process of law, since the judgment of the court is to be rendered only upon due notice to the parties concerned, and after a full and orderly hearing of the merits of the cause.

By the terms of the act (section 4) the action must be commenced by the filing of a verified complaint. There is no specification of the person by whom it shall be verified, and it is sufficient if it be veried by any competent person who knows or is informed of the facts, although the action be brought on the relation of the Attorney General, or some other person.

In argument it is urged that the verification of this bill is not sufficient. Its language is that the affiant "is informed and believes that the facts set out in the foregoing bill of complaint are true, as therein stated." If it be conceded that this is not sufficient in substance as against an apt demurrer, the defect is not available to respondent because it is not challenged by any ground of demurrer. It cannot be raised on motion to dissolve the injunction.

It is further urged that section 8 of the act, providing for the summary trial and punishment of any respondent who violates any injunctive or restraining order of the court in the premises, is unconstitutional in its provision for a trial of such offender upon affidavits. This contention is without merit, since it is further provided that either party may demand the production and oral examination of witnesses.

We hold that the act is not subject to the constitutional objections urged against it, and that the demurrer and motion were properly overruled. The decree of the circuit court will therefore be affirmed.

Affirmed.

ANDERSON, C. J., and McCLELLAN and THOMAS, JJ., concur.