Case Name: Striker v. Kelly, 2 Denio, 323
Court: New York Court for the Correction of Errors
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1799
Citations: 1 Lock. Rev. Cas. 442
Docket Number: 
Parties: Striker v. Kelly, 2 Denio, 323.
Judges: 
Reporter: Lockwood's Reversed Cases
Volume: 1
Pages: 442–468

Head Matter:
Striker v. Kelly, 2 Denio, 323.
In S. Ct. 7 Hill, 9.
Assessments for Opening Streets in the city of New 'York ; Sale for Non-payment; Appointment of Commissioners of Estimate. Spc.; Passage of Resolution for Opening Streets by the Common Council; How far Lease is Evidence of Regularity of Sale.
This was an action of covenant brought to recover a quarter's rent alleged to be due on a lease executed by Striker to the defendant in 1839. The defence interposed was that the greater part of the premises were sold in December, 1838, under an assessment upon them for opening the Ninth Avenue, by virtue of certain resolutions of the Common Council ; that the plaintiff having neglected to pay the sum assessed thereon, the corporation in Feb. 1840 gave a lease to G. L. for 1000 years. Evidence was given tending to show that notice to redeem was published six months before the giving of the lease, as required by the statute of 1816, and of 1840. (Sess. L. of 1816 and 1840.)
The plaintiff insisted that the defence was invalid: 1. That the statute authorizing the corporation of the city of New York to apply for the appointment of commissioners of estimate and assessment was void, inasmuch as it conferred upon the justices of the Supreme Court a distinct and additional “ office or public trust” contrary to the constitution. 2. That it was contrary to the article of the constitution which forbids the “ taking of private property for public use, without making just compensation.” 3. That the resolution for opening the Ninth Avenue was not passed by ayes and mes. 4. That there was no evidence of any demand made by the collector before the sale, nor of any affidavit of such demand, as required by the act of April, 1816. 5. That there was no evidence of the publication of the notice to redeem in the state paper. 6. That the regularity of the sale in other respects was not sufficiently proved.
The circuit judge charged against all these objections and the plaintiff’s counsel excepted. The jury, by consent of parties found a verdict for the plaintiff for $3413 subject to the opinion of the court.

Opinion:
The Supreme Court (Bronson, J. dissenting on several grounds,) decided:
1. That the statute authorizing the Supreme Court to appoint commissioners of estimate and assessment and to order the confirmation of their reports, is not incompatible with that part of the constitution of the state which prohibits the "justices" of the court from holding "any other office or public trust." ' (Bronson, 3. dissenting.)
2. That the power conferred by it on the corporation to sell real estate in order to pay an assessment for benefit does not conflict with the constitutional provision which prohibits the taking of private property for public use without just compensation.
3. That in appointing commissioners, and in confirming their reports, the court exercises a special and limited authority ; and the party seeking to avail himself of its proceedings must show the facts necessary to confer jurisdiction; that its powers in these respects, though derived from and limited by the statute, are judicial in their character; and that for the purpose of giving the court jurisdiction, it was necessary to prove among other things that the corporation of New York had decided to open the Ninth Avenue, before presenting their petition to the court for the appointment of commissioners: That the fact was sufficiently established at the trial, provided the resolution was properly adopted by the common council. That the objection to it, that it was passed in violation of the act of April 7th, 1830, without calling the ayes and noes, was not valid, as that provision should be construed as directory merely; and the form and manner of the passage of the resolution were not essential.