Atlantic Coast Line Railroad v. City of Lakeland

The Constitution provides that "the Legislature shall have power to establish and to abolish municipalities, to provide for their government, to prescribe their jurisdiction and powers, and to alter or amend the same at any time." Section 8, Article VIII.

Such provision does not authorize the Legislature to confer upon municipalities jurisdiction or powers that conflict with any other controlling provision of organic law, or that unlawfully violate or invade organic personal or property rights. Jurisdiction or powers conferred upon municipalities contemplate a lawful exercise thereof; and such…