People ex rel. Nisbet v. Common Council of Amsterdam

This is an appeal from an order granting a writ of prohibition. It arises out of the same proceedings that have been considered by us at this term in the case of People v. Common Council of City of Amsterdam, 36 N. Y. Supp. 59 . After the claim of the relator, as allowed by the common council, had been vetoed by the mayor, it was then resubmitted to the common council, and by them referred to its law committee, as stated in the opinion in the last-named case. The law committee proceeded to take testimony as to the value of relator’s services. The relator requested leave to attend such hearing of the law committee, and take part in said investigation, but that committee refused such request, whereupon proceedings were taken, which resulted in the granting of the order which is now appealed from, which restrains and prohibits such committee from proceeding with such-investigation, and from making any report of the result of their investigation to the common council.

As I have stated in the discussion of the principal ease, the charter of the city of Amsterdam provides that claims against such city shall be referred to the “ committee on auditing accounts,” aud that such provision of the statute excludes other committees from acting. The law committee was therefore without jurisdiction. In addition, it is to be said that the law committee was proceeding to pass upon the merits of the relator’s claim, presumably with the intention of making a report thereon to the common council, without giving him an opportunity to be heard, without permitting him to confront the witnesses being examined or to cross-examine them. A claimant’s right cannot be disposed of in that way. Such a proceeding to determine a person’s rights or interests is contrary to the law of the land; it is not due process of law.

The order appealed from should be affirmed with $10 costs and disbursements.

Mayham, P. J., concurs; Putnam, J., not acting.