Court Opinion

ID: 8510913
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-11-23 08:39:58.799569+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:51:06.150575
License: Public Domain

Smith, J.
The question now presented to us, is this: Whether the Board of Education of the city, has, in good faith, attempted to comply with the writ of mandamus heretofore allowed to issue against it in this case, requiring it to proceed and'discharge the duty imposed upon it by law, of fixing the compensation of Mr. Kuehnert, lately one of the school examiners, from the commencement of his term, viz.: November 10,1884, up to April 15,1888.
On the former hearing of the case it appeared that until August 26,1888, the board of education had not fixed the amount, of the compensation of the examiners, though the law requiring them to do so, has been in force for many years. On that day it duly determined that from and after August 31,1888, each of the examiners should receive for his services, the sum of $300 per annum. It was further ordered by the board, that each examiner who was in office from April 16th to August 3Íst, 1888, should receive for his services during that time, the sum of $112.50, which was also at the rate of $300 per annum. This latter sum was drawn by Mr. Kuehnert, whose term of office expired August 31,1888.
On the issuance of the writ of mandamus requiring the Board of Education to fix the compensation to be paid to Kuehnert, for the period from November 10, 1884, to April 15, 1888, being over three years and five months, it allowed him but the sum of $1 for all of this time. And we are now asked by the relator in this proceeding against the members of the board, to have them show cause why they should not be attached for contempt in refusing to obey the order of the court, to take some action, the effect of which will be to require the board to do that which they were directed to do, but which it is alleged that they have wilfully refused to comply with.
We have heard the statements and evidence of quite a number of the members of the board in answer to these allegations and in explanation of their conduct and in view of all the circumstances disclosed, we have had difficulty in arriving at a conclusion as to what action should now be taken by us. We state as briefly as possible, the result.
First — We think it entirely clear from the testimony, that the relator has, from the time of his appointment until the close of his term, rendered regular and valuable services as a member of the board of examiners — several weeks of each , year having been devoted to the discharge of the duties of his office.
Second — That nothing has been done by him which in any way waived his right to compensation for services rendered by him prior to April 15,1888,or which tends to show that he agreed that the sum of $112.50 so paid him was to be received by him in full satisfaction of his entire claim.
Third — That it was the understanding and belief of the board of education at the time the allowance of $112.50 to each of said examiners in office was voted, that it was to be in satisfaction, and payment of all claims of said examiners up to that time. And that this is the reason, and not from any desire or purpose to disobey the order of the court, that the sum of $1.00, (which it is unnecessary to say is practically no compensation at all,) was fixed by the board as the compensation of Mr. Kuehnert for several years’ service.
On this state of the case, we are of the opinion that owing to this mistake and misapprehension on the part of the board there has not been a substantial compliance with the order of the court in this matter. While the court can not control judicial discretion, if exercised by a board of this kind in good faith, yet we think it has the right to see and require that a fair and legitimate attempt has been made to comply with the order of the court. And while on the question of an amount to be fixed, and which has to be done under the sanction of the official oath of those called upon to do it, the court will not closely scrutinize or investigate thé question whether the discretion has been properly exercised, it will look at what has been doné, and if it clearly appears that it was not done in good faith, or the amount de*440termined upon makes it manifest in view of all the circumstances of the case, that the tribunal has been honestly mistaken, and to such an extent that the result will shock the conscience of any disinterested person, the court should call upon the tribunal to review its action.
C. W. Merrill attorney for the Relator.
L. M. Hadden, ass’t city solicitor, for defendants.
We think it should be done in this case. The amount fixed by the board for near three and one-half years of service beyond all question is grossly inadequate. We have found that it was done under a mistake as to the facts of the case, viz.: that the relator had agreed to receive the $112.50 in full for all of his services. If he had, they were right in their action, and we would not in any way aid him to obtain any additional compensation. We think that the action of some members of the board of examiners, led the board of education to this belief, which they evidently entertained. But Mr. Kuehnert was no party to this arrangement.
Under all the circumstances what we think-should be done is this. That the board of education should again, and in the light of the facts and the finding of the court, consider this claim of Mr. Kuehnert for compensation, from the time of his appointment until the close of his term, August 31, 1888, and having fixed this amount, deduct therefrom the $11.2.50 already paid, and thus arrive at the amount remaining due. This we think would accomplish substantial justice in the case. And without stating with more particularity what our views of the many difficult or important legal questions arising in the case may be, or what our judgment will be on the motion for an attachment if the course suggested is not adopted, we now recommend that this course be pursued, and the case thus adjusted on what seem to us principles of equity and right.
Of course what we have said applies to this case alone. It is suggested that others have like claims, and there is reason to believe that some of those persons understood and agreed thait the payment of $112.50 was in full for all of their services, and was so received. If this be so, we have said that they would probably be bound by it. But,that question is not before us, and is not passed upon. This case will be continued for fifteen days, to allow action upon the part of the board of education.