STATE, EX REL. MRS. EUGENIA WILLIAMS, ET VIR,
v.
FRED P. CONE, AS GOVERNOR, ET AL., CONSTITUTING THE STATE BOARD OF PENSIONS

Fla. | 1940-06-21
Terrell, C. J., Whitfield, Brown, Buford and Thomas, J. J., concur., Justice Chapman not participating as authorized by Section 4687, Compiled General Laws of 1927, and Rule 21-A of the Rules of this Court.
143 Fla. 452 Florida Supreme Court (1940) Caution
Also reported at: 196 So. 820
Cited by 3 cases

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Synopsis

This case involves a mandamus proceeding to compel the State Board of Pensions to grant a pension to Mrs. Eugenia Williams under a specific legislative act. The court quashed the alternative writ, finding the act unconstitutional as it violated a state constitutional amendment requiring uniform, statewide systems for such benefits, not individual legislative grants.


Holding

Yes, the special legislative act is unconstitutional. The Florida Constitution, as amended, limits the legislature's power to provide aid for those in need to a uniform, statewide system enacted by general law, precluding individual grants.


Key Quotes

“As we construe the above quoted provision, it precludes the enactment of statutes or the appropriation of funds for the purpose of carrying into effect such statutes as that here under consideration.”

This quote explains the court's interpretation of the constitutional amendment that limits legislative power regarding pensions.

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Facts & Procedural History

Mrs. Eugenia Williams, formerly the widow of a Confederate soldier, remarried. A special legislative act was passed to grant her a pension due to her …

The full statement of facts, procedural history, and disposition for this case are member content.

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Topics

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Opinion of the Court
Per Curiam.

Per Curiam.

This is an original proceeding in Mandamus to compel the State Board of Pensions to place the name of the relator on the State Pension Roll, under the provision's of Chapter 19600, Acts of 1939. It is before us on motion to quash alternative writ.

The preamble to the legislative Act, supra, shows that the *453relator, Mrs. Eugenia Williams, was not at the time of the passage of the Act a widow of a Confederate Soldier (but was at the time a married woman) though it does show that she had at one time been the widow of a Confederate soldier, and the conclusion' is that she was during the time in which she occupied the status of a widow of a Confederate soldier, entitled to a pension under the provisions of Section 1445 R. G. S. 2099 C. G. L. The record shows that under existing conditions the relator is not entitled to receive a pension under the general pension law supra, and, therefore, she must rely entirely on' the provisions of Chapter 19600, supra.

It, therefore, appears that the instant case is ruled .by the opinion and judgment in the case of State of Florida, ex rel. Eugene Hawkins v. Ernest Amos, etc., 97 Fla. 675, 122 Sou. 8, and on authority of the opinion and judgment in that case the motion to quash might be granted.

Aside from this, however, the preamble to Chapter 19600, contains the following:

“Whereas, Mrs. Eugenia Williams of Jackson County, Florida, was the lawful wife of the late Andrew J. Dean of Jackson County, Florida, who during his life was on the pension rolls of the State of Florida as a Confederate pensioner; and
“Whereas Mrs. Eugenia Williams was the lawful wife of said Andrew J. Dean at the time of the latter’s death in the year 1931; and
“Whereas the said Eugenia Williams has since remarried, having married one Henry C. Williams, with whom she is living as his lawful wife; and
“Whereas the said Henry C. Williams is now more than 80 years of age and is infirm and un'able to work; and
“Whereas, the said Eugenia Williams and her husband, *454Henry C. Williams, are both unable to earn a living by their labor, and are without means of support.”

This preamble shows that Mrs. Williams is not the widow of a Confederate soldier but that she is the wife of one Henry C. Williams who is more than 80 years of age and that both Mrs. Williams and Mr. Williams are unable to earn a living and are without means of support.

It, therefore, appears that the Act was passed to grant a pension to Mrs. Williams who because of age, infirmity and misfortune was found to be in need and to have claims upon the aid and sympathy of society.

Section 3 of Article XIII of the Constitution of Florida was amended by Senate Joint Resolution No. 170 submitted to the people by the Legislature of 1935 and approved by the electorate of Florida in the November election, 1936, and provides, inter alia:

“Section 3. The respective counties of the State shall provide in the manner prescribed by law, for those of the inhabitants who by reason of age, infirmity or misfortune, may have claims upon the aid and sympathy of society; provided, however, the Legislature may by general law provide for a uniform state-wide system for such benefits and appropriate money, therefor; but no such general law shall provide benefits to any person who shall not have been a resident of the State of Florida for a period of five years continuously next preceding his application therefor, nor shall such general law provide for benefits to any person solely on account of age, who has not attained the age of sixty-five years;” * * *

This organic provision limits the power of the Legislature in regard to the enactment of statutes for the benefit of those of the inhabitants who by reason of age, infirmity or misfortune may have claims upon the aid and sympathy *455of society, so that the State may render such aid only under general law which will provide for a uniform state-wide system for such benefits.

As we construe the above quoted provision, it precludes the enactment of statutes or the appropriation of funds for the purpose of carrying into effect such statutes as that here under consideration.

Such cases as this are thereby left to be taken care of by such provisions as the county may make in that regard.

For the reasons stated, the motion' to quash is granted.

So ordered.

Terrell, C. J., Whitfield, Brown, Buford and Thomas, J. J., concur.

Justice Chapman not participating as authorized by Section 4687, Compiled General Laws of 1927, and Rule 21-A of the Rules of this Court.


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Citator

Cited By

  • …age, and that although remarried she could exercise the rights of the widow of her deceased former husband. The plaintiff in error relies to some extent on our opinion and judgment in the case of State ex rel. Williams v. Cone, as Governor, et al., 143 Fla. 452, 196 Sou. 820. In that case the relators relied upon a special Act of the Legislature, being Chapter 19600, Acts of 1939, and neither relied upon nor cited as a basis for receiving a pension Chapter 18047, Acts of 1937.. Therefore, the effect of tha…

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