Provo Bench Canal Irrigation Company v. Tanner/Opinion of the Court

Plaintiffs in error, having acquired easements and rights of way over certain lands in the state of Utah, constructed thereon connecting canals to convey water intended for irrigation purposes. Relying upon the provisions of a statute of that state (Comp. Laws 1907, § 1288x22), copied in the margin, the validity of which is not contested (Clark v. Nash, 198 U.S. 361, 49 L. ed. 1085, 25 Sup. Ct. Rep. 676, 4 Ann. Cas. 1171), defendant in error Tanner instituted the original proceeding, praying for permission to increase the carrying capacity of the canals, that the character of the enlargement and resulting damages be determined, and that, upon payment of the sum assessed and completion of the enlargement, he be decreed the right to flow water therein. Answers were filed, proof taken, and, the cause having been duly heard by the court without a jury, a decree was entered granting the relief prayed under carefully specified conditions, among them being a perpetual bond to protect against future injuries. Each of the owners was awarded $1 as damages. Upon appeal the action of the trial court was approved by the supreme court. 40 Utah, 105, 121 Pac. 584.

Counsel for plaintiffs in error asserts here that, 'after all, the whole question is, was there a taking of the property of the canal owners;' and, answering this in the affirmative, he maintains that the judgment below deprives them thereof without due process of law. But the state court, expressly recognizing the right of recovery for any substantial damage, found, as matter of fact, that none had been shown by the proof, and consequently only a nominal sum could be recovered. It declared that 'nothing is made to appear upon which a finding or judgment for substantial damages can rest' 'there is no direct evidence upon this point whatever,' and cited Chicago, B. & Q. R. Co. v. Chicago, 166 U.S. 226, 41 L. ed. 979, 17 Sup. Ct. Rep. 581, in support of the award.

The record discloses no error which we can consider (Waters-Pierce Oil Co. v. Texas, 212 U.S. 86, 97, 53 L. ed. 417, 424, 29 Sup. Ct. Rep. 220), and the judgment is affirmed.