Butler v. Inhabitants of City of Plainfield

Relator seems to have mistaken his remedy. He claims that he was de facto and de jure inspector of buildings of the *171city of Plainfield from January 1st, 1925, to January 26tli, 1925, and that he performed the service. All this is denied. The municipal body has not admitted the propriety of the claim; on the contrary, it says it is illegal and refuses to order it paid.

Tn this situation, and in the absence of any judicial determination that there is a debt due from the city to relator, the general rule applies that mandamus will not lie, and this on the fundamental ground that the legal right…