McNeely v. Mayor & Board of Aldermen of Natchez

WALKER, Circuit Judge.

When this case was here on a former appeal from a decree denying a preliminary injunction sought by tbe appellant, it was decided that be was entitled to a preliminary injunction to prevent interference- with the operation of bis ferry from bis own landing, bis bill alleging that be owns a lot or parcel of ground in the city of Natchez convenient and suitable for a ferry landing. McNeely v. Mayor and Board of Aldermen (C. C. A.) 4 F.(2d) 899.

Tbe case is now before us on an appeal of tbe same appellant and a cross-appeal of tbe mayor and aldermen of tbe city of Natchez from tbe final decree rendered on the submission of tbe cause on tbe pleadings and evidence. That decree embodied findings of fact to tbe following effect: Tbe appellant owns no real estate on tbe Natchez side of tbe river suitable for ferry landings at any ordinary stages of tbe water, but is using for bis ferry property belonging to tbe city of Natchez, which be formerly acquired by lease contract with tbe city, which property be was put in possession of by the city at tbe time of tbe making of tbe original con-; tract. That landing is not large enough to be used with safety by appellant and any. lessee óf the city, or for two ferry landings. The city’s lease of that landing to the ap-> pellant has expired. Those findings were supported by evidence.

That decree was to the following effect: The preliminary injunction was dissolved, in so far as it restrained the cross-appellant from seeking to repossess itself of the property leased by it to the appellant, and a permanent injunction restraining the cross-appellant from attempting to get possession of •that property was denied. Injunctive relief, restraining the cross-appellant from enforcing that part of the ordinance of June 10, 1924, prescribing the rates of ferriage, the size and character of the boats to be employed, the hours of operating ferries, and other reasonable port regulations for the safety and convenience of the public, was denied. The cross-appellant was enjoined and restrained from prohibiting appellant from operating a ferry across the Mississippi river from the city of Natchez to Vidalia, which may be established by appellant and operated from his own landing or one provided by him; from requiring of appellant, before he engages in the operation of a ferry, as above provided, a bond in the sum of $2,000, or any sum, as required by said ordinance; from imposing a penalty of $30 a day, as provided by said ordinance, or any other amount, for failing to obtain a license or franchise from cross-appellant to operate a ferry from within its limits to Vidalia; and from enforcing or seeking to enforce the provisions of said ordinance, or any other ordinance, making the grant of a ferry franchise exclusive in character.'

On the state of facts found by the court it is not open to the appellant to .question the cross-appellant’s title to the ferry landing occupied and used by the former. One who acquired possession of property permissively, or as a tenant, is estopped from disputing the title of his lessor or licensor, and must first surrender possession before assuming an attitude of hostility to the latter’s title. Western Union Telegraph Co. v. Louisville & N. R. Co., 250 F. 199, 206, 162 C. C. A. 335. The decree was proper, so far as it had the effect of leaving the cross-appellant free to seek to get possession of its property occupied by appellant after his rights as lessee had expired. The opinion rendered when the case was here before expressed the conclusion that a municipal corporation may he authorized to enforce reasonable regulations for the safety and convenience of the public using ferries, and may fix reasonable rates to be charged in carrying passengers, vehicles, and freight from its own shore.

The part of the decree which denied injunctive relief, restraining the city of, Natchez from enforcing such regulations, was attacked on the ground that authority to adopt and enforce such regulations was not conferred by its charter. By its charter the city of Natchez was authorized “to lease and ' regulate all ferries across the Mississippi river within said city, reserving the rent for the use thereof for any time not exceeding ten years.” The power to regulate conferred by that provision extends to “all ferries across the Mississippi river within said city,” and is not limited to a ferry or ferries owned by the city. This conclusion is not in conflict with the decision in the case of Opelika v. Opelika Sewer Co., 265 U. S. 215, 44 S. Ct. 517, 68 L. Ed. 985. Besides, the above-quoted charter provision is quite unlike the one which was referred to in the opinion in the just cited case. We conclude that the part of the decree which was adverse to the appellant was not erroneous.

So far as the decree was adverse to the cross-appellant, it was in accord with conclusions stated in the opinion rendered when the case was here before. The decree is affirmed, each party to pay his or its own costs.

Affirmed.