New Orleans Waterworks Co. v. New Orleans, 164 U.S. 471 (1896)
U.S. Supreme Court
New Orleans Waterworks Co. v. New Orleans, 164 U.S. 471 (1896)
New Orleans Waterworks Company v. New Orleans
No. 134
Argued November 4, 1896
Decided November 30, 1896
164 U.S. 471
Syllabus
In the absence of parties interested, and without their having an opportunity to be heard, a court is without jurisdiction to make an adjudication affecting them.
A court of equity cannot properly interfere with, or in advance restrain the discretion of, a municipal body while it is in the exercise of powers that are legislative in their character.
Legislatures may delegate to municipal assemblies the power of enacting ordinances relating to local matters, and such ordinances, when legally enacted, have the force of legislative acts.
The case is stated in the opinion.