Case Name: CAIN ET AL. vs. BROWN (Pros. Atty.)
Court: Michigan Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Michigan
Decision Date: 1897-03-10
Citations: 1 McGrath 1585
Docket Number: No. 15701
Parties: CAIN ET AL. vs. BROWN (Pros. Atty.),
Judges: 
Reporter: Mandamus cases decided in the Supreme court of Michigan
Volume: 1
Pages: 1585–1589

Head Matter:
CAIN ET AL. vs. BROWN (Pros. Atty.),
No. 15701;
3 D. L. N., 840; 70 N. W., 337.
(Certiorari to Lapeer.)

Opinion:
To compel respondent to file an information in the nature of a quo warranto.
The circuit judge granted the writ. Reversed, with costs of both courts, March 10, 1897.
Held, "before a prosecuting attorney can be compelled to in stitute proceedings, at the instance of private citizens, to determine whether a municipal corporation has a legal existence, a prima facie case must be made out by affidavits of persons knowing the facts so clear and positive that perjury may be brought if any material allegation is false.
"The institution of such proceedings lies within the discretion •of the attorney-general or prosecuting attorney.
"Inasmuch as municipal corporations can exist only by legislative sanction, they cannot be dissolved or cease to exist except by legislative consent or pursuant to legislative provision."