Case Name: BAYON vs. MAYOR ET AL.
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1836-06
Citations: 9 La. 578
Docket Number: 
Parties: BAYON vs. MAYOR ET AL.
Judges: 
Reporter: Louisiana Reports
Volume: 9
Pages: 578–579

Head Matter:
BAYON vs. MAYOR ET AL.
Eastern Dist.
June, 1836.
APPEAL PROM THE COURT OF'THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT.
.The Supreme Court will not, on a rule to show cause, examine the order of an inferior judge refusing to grant a mandamus as prayed for. The only legitimate mode of revising the orders or judgments of inferior courts, is by appeal.
This is the case of an application for a mandamus to the district judge of the first judicial district.
The plaintiff applied in the first instance to the district judge, by petition, to grant a mandamus, commanding the mayor of the city of New-Orleans, to issue a warrant on the city treasurer, for five hundred dollars, being a quarter salary due him, (the plaintiff) as city printer. He alleges that a resolution passed the city council by the requisite majority, recognising his claim, and authorising it to be paid, but that the mayor refuses to issue a warrant on the treasury, without which he cannot get his money. He prays for a mandamus.
The Supreme ^°urj w‘JJlen0¿ show cause, exa-0f an inferior lo^fránt^m^ llctmns as prayed legitimate mode orders'or'judgments of inferior courts, is dv ap« peal,
The district judge was of opinion this was not a proper case for a mandamus, and endorsed his order of refusal on the petition.
The plaintiff then applied to the Supreme Court, and took a rule on the district judge, to show cause why a mandamus should not issue, commanding him to grant the one prayed for against the mayor.
The judge showed for cause that he did not consider the application as coming within the provisions of law. It was sought under the Code of Practice, article 829. He considered this article modified by the subsequent provisions of the Code of Practice, articles 830, 831.
That it is not every denial of justice which is to be remedied by mandamus; but only where there is no relief by the ordinary means, or where the public good, and the administration of justice, in a general sense, will suffer without it.
The mayor is a part of the corporation, and if it will not do its duty, let the plaintiff resort to his ordinary action against it.
Preston, for the plaintiff,
urged the court to make the rule absolute.

Opinion:
Martin J.,
delivered the opinion of the court.
Bayon having obtained from the city council the allowance of a claim, the mayor refused the warrant on the treasury, without which, payment could not be obtained. Application was made to the court of the first district, for a mandamus to the mayor. This was refused, and a rule has issued to the judge, to show cause why a mandamus should not be granted, for refusing to comply with the applicant's request,
The judge has shown cause, that the applicant's legal remedy is not that which he seeks. It appears to us, that , ii. • i* i«i . i, . the only legitimate mode m which one can revise tne decision of an inferior court, is by appeal.
It is, therefore, ordered, that the rule be discharged with costs.