Opinion

Board of Hudson River Regulating District v. Fonda, Johnstown & Gloversville Railroad

  • 223 A.D. 358
  • 228 N.Y.S. 686
  • 1928 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 6215
Court
Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York
Filed
Apr 5, 1928
Status
Published
Author
Hill
On the bench
Hasbrouck, Hill
Cited by
4 cases
Authority
More cited than 24.4%

Modified by Hudson River R. Dist. v. F., J. G.R.R. Co., 249 N.Y. 445 (1928)

The opinion

Hill, J.

(concurring). I concur in the result. Neither the commerce clause of the Federal Constitution nor the Transportation Act of 1920 is in any wise involved. “ The power to take private property, contrary to the decision of the owner, for a public use reaches back of all constitutional provisions.” (Matter of City of Rochester v. Holden, 224 N. Y. 386, 392 .) “ * * * The right of every State to authorize the appropriation of every description of property for a public use is one of those inherent powers which belong to State governments, without which they could not well perform their great functions. It is a power not surrendered to the United States and is untouched by any of the provisions of the Federal Constitution, provided there be due process of law, that is, a law authorizing it, and provision made for compensation. This power extends to tangibles and intangibles alike. A chose in action, a charter, or any kind of contract, are, along with land and movables, within the sweep of this sovereign authority.” (Cincinnati v. Louisville & Nashville R. R. Co., 223 U. S. 390, 400 .) “ This right of appropriating private property to a public use is one of the powers vital to the public welfare of every self-governing community.” It is a power “ incident to sovereignty,” which “ belongs to every independent government.” (Id. 404. See, also, Pennsylvania Hospital v. Philadelphia, 245 U. S. 20 ; Georgia v. Chattanooga, 264 id. 472.)

Davis, J., concurs.

Judgment and final order affirmed, with costs.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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