Case Name: Jeremiah Driscoll agt. Jackson S. Schultz and others
Court: New York Court of Common Pleas
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1866-07
Citations: 31 How. Pr. 343
Docket Number: 
Parties: Jeremiah Driscoll agt. Jackson S. Schultz and others.
Judges: 
Reporter: Howard's Practice Reports
Volume: 31
Pages: 343–343

Head Matter:
Jeremiah Driscoll agt. Jackson S. Schultz and others.

Opinion:
Cardozo, J.
I do not intend, at present, to add anything to the reasons which I assigned in the Holt case to establish the invalidity of the act of April 14, 1866. That question was rightly decided on the argument, and must be regarded as res adjudícala until it is presented to the general term ; and then it will not be difficult to show that the little in the shape of legal argument, which, however, irregularly and improperly, has been attempted to be advanced against it, is unsound and fallacious, alike in law and morals. That decision effectually disposes of the present case, for the following reasons: The complaint here charges that the defendants, under pretence of an alleged statute which in legal effect has been, declared to have no existence, are interfering with the business of the plaintiffs ; and the affidavits read in opposition to the motion show this to he the fact. It is not claimed that aught appears upon the face of the complaint to show, as the defendants assert, that there is anything unlawful in the plaintiffs' occupation; and the defendants acting under a protended statute, which has been pronounced unconstitutional and void, are mere trespassers, and cannot be heard to question the legitimacy of the plaintiff's business, or his right to carry it on. The doctrine is too familiar to every lawyer to require the citation of an authority. The motion to continue, the injunction must be granted, with $10 costs. If the phraseology of the injunction should need amendation, so as to make its effect—which by practical construction has been shown not to have been misunderstood—more clear and explicit, of course that may he allowed.