Case Name: THOMAS vs. HAMILTON
Court: Michigan Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Michigan
Decision Date: 1894-07-05
Citations: 1 McGrath 1234
Docket Number: No. 14210
Parties: THOMAS vs. HAMILTON,
Judges: 
Reporter: Mandamus cases decided in the Supreme court of Michigan
Volume: 1
Pages: 1234–1238

Head Matter:
THOMAS vs. HAMILTON,
No. 14210,
101 M., 387.
(Certiorari to Van Burén.)

Opinion:
To compel respondent, a druggist, to allow relator to examine the book, provided for by statute, containing the record of sales of .liquor. The circuit judge granted the writ.
Reversed July 5, 1894, with costs of both courts, on the ground (1) that as a general rule mandamus will not run against a private individual,' Merrill, Sec. 13, 2 to 23. (2) That the writ does not lie to enforce the iierformance of a public duty at the instance of a private individual, or in any case unless ho has some private or particular interest to be subserved, or some particular right to be preserved or protected, independent of that which he holds in common with the public at large. Drake vs. Regents, 4 M., 98 (10S8); Russell vs. Inspectors et al., 4 M., 187 (1093); Delbridge vs. Green, 29 M., 121 (1609); Smith vs. Mayor et al., 81 M., 123 (1104).