United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Soliah v. Heskin, 222 U.S. 522 (1912)

Soliah v. Heskin

No. 76

Argued December 5, 1911

Decided January 9, 1912

222 U.S. 522

Syllabus

The Fourteenth Amendment does not deprive a state of the power to determine what duties may be performed by local officers, nor whether they shall be appointed or elected by the people.

The Fourteenth Amendment does not invalidate an act authorizing an appointed board to determine whether a proposed drain will be of public benefit, and to create a drainage district consisting of land which it decides will be benefited by such drain, and to make special assessments accordingly, if, as in this case, notice is given and an opportunity to be heard afforded the landowner before the assessment becomes a lien against his property.

The Fourteenth Amendment doe not deprive a the power to compel a township, as one of its political subdivisions, to levy and collect taxes for the purpose of paying the amount assessed against such township for the public benefits accruing from the construction of the drain.

The facts are stated in the opinion.

Page 222 U. S. 523