State ex rel. Paylor v. City of Knoxville

The Chancellor hearing the cause on oral testimony, after overruling a demurrer to the mandamus bill, found that the relator, William J. Paylor, was illegally discharged from his position in which he was protected by civil service status, ordered him reinstated and entered a decree for back salary and interest. The City has appealed and assigned errors.

There is no doubt from the record that the relator was summarily dismissed without any charges being-preferred or any kind of hearing, the city claiming that relator’s position had been abolished. On the other hand, the relator claims that…