Case Name: State of Nebraska, ex rel. Albert E. Wyckoff, v. Marion G. Merrell et al.
Court: Nebraska Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Nebraska
Decision Date: 1893-11-28
Citations: 38 Neb. 510
Docket Number: No. 4666
Parties: State of Nebraska, ex rel. Albert E. Wyckoff, v. Marion G. Merrell et al.
Judges: 
Reporter: Nebraska Reports
Volume: 38
Pages: 510–511

Head Matter:
State of Nebraska, ex rel. Albert E. Wyckoff, v. Marion G. Merrell et al.
Filed November 28, 1893.
No. 4666.
Mandamus: Forum op Original Jurisdiction. The supreme-court will not entertain an original application ior mandamus- ■ brought by a private individual for the enforcement of private rights, unless some good reason is shown why the application, was not made to the district court.
Original application for mandamus.
Chas. T. Dickinson, for relator.
N. J. Shechett, contra.

Opinion:
Norval, J.
This is an original action in the name of the state, on the relation of Albert E. Wyckoff, for a mandamus to- Marion G. Merrell, .as county clerk of Burt county, to. compel him to execute and deliver to relator a warrant upon the county treasurer for the sum of $893.55 for excavating a public ditch, and to E. F. Sisson and others, as the board of county commissioners of said county, to re.quire them to levy a special assessment upon the lands benefited by said improvement to pay the expenses thereof.
This court will not entertain an original application for a mandamus brought by a private citizen for the enforcement of a private right merely, unless some good reason is shown for not making the application to the district court. (State v. Lincoln Gas Co., 38 Neb., 33; State v. School District No. Chase County, 38 Neb., 237.) The several district courts of the state have concurrent jurisdiction' with this court in mandamus cases, and applications like the one before us ordinarily should be made in the first instance to the district court. There may be cases where the application shows that it would be unavailing if made to the proper district court, and that it is necessary that the writ should issue here. When this is made to appear, this court will entertain jurisdiction. This case, however, does not fall within the rule. It is manifest that the ends of justice would be equally as well promoted, and the convenience of the parties would be as well subserved, if the application were made to the district court of Burt county. The proceeding dismissed without prejudice.
Dismissed.