Morrilton v. Comes

Municipal ordinance — sale of native wine — validity.-t-A city ordinance providing that native wine shall not be sold in the corporate limits, except upon premises where the grapes or berries were grown and the wine produced or manufactured, is void because it conflicts with the act of March 29, 1899, providing that “any person who grows or raises grapes or berries may make wine thereof and sell the same'in quantities not less than one-fifth of a gallon or in sealed bottles anywhere in the State without license when the same has been properly labeled.”

Appeal from Conway Circuit Court. William L. Moose, Judge. A city of the second class has authority to pass and enforce an ordinance regulating the sale of native wine within its limits. 38 Ark. 641; 45 Ark. 356; 43 Ark. 364; 130 N. C. 223; 114 N. C. 860; 142 Ind. 168; 65 L. R. A. 902; Kirby’s Dig. § § 5593, 5461; no N. C. 529; 127 U. S. -684; 25 L. R. A. 283; 100 N. C. 525; 131 N. C. 820; Tied. Pol. Pow. 5, 593; Bish. Stat. Cr. § 985; 50 N. J. L. 55; 138 Ind. 335; 74 N. Y. 516; 145 Ind. 439; 26 Am. & Eng. Enc. Law, 569. The power to regulate or suppress carries with it the means of doing so, and, when adopted, the means cannot be questioned. 68 Ala. 58; 21 S. C. 292; 73 Md. 250; 113 U. S. 32. Nuisance, what is? 1 Wood, Nuis. § 1, 21; 70 Ark. 12. Municipal corporations have power to abate a nuisance. 1 Dill. Mun. Corp. § 379. The question of repeal is always one of legislative intent. 26 Am. & Eng. Enc. Law, 718; 16 Utah, 483; 17 Wash. 626. To interpret legislative intent, the subject-matter, the effect, purpose and reason of the law is to be inquired into. 48 Ark. 307; 5 Ark. 536: 13 Ark. 52; 11 Ark. 44; 3 Ark. 285; 6 Ark. 9. Where an act is passed covering a specific subject of former legislation, the repeal applies to and covers only acts or parts of acts on the same subject-matter. 20 Cal. 94; 34 Conn. 118; 27 Ga. 467; 3 Bibb, 180; 14 La. 678; 12 Allen, 421; 26 Am. & Eng. Enc. Law, 719, 727; 53 Ark. 337. The illegal or objectionable words of the ordinance should be stricken out, and the ordinance given effect. S3 Ark. 490; 26 Am. & Eng. Enc. Law, 570; 34 Ark. 224; 55 Ark. 200; 70 Ark. 94; 66 Ark. 36. The general subject is all that is required in the title. 69 Ark. 460. Powers of municipal corporations are strictly construed. 31 Ark. 462; 45 Ark. 454; 36 Mich. 416; 71 S. W. 66; 66 Ark. 40; 46 Ark. 358. The ordinance is in violation of the Federal Constitution. 88 Ga. 548, 589; 80 Ala. 89. The ordinance conflicts with the general State, law, and is void. Const, art. 7, § 4, Sand. & H. Dig. § 5132; Kirby’s Dig. § § 5100, 5438; 17 Am. & Eng. Enc. Law, 246; 23 Conn. 128; 96 N. Y. 477; 34 Am. Dec. 628; 45 Ark. 454.