Page:North Dakota Reports (vol. 1).pdf/359

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KIDD v. M'GINNISS.
335

enabled either of them, as against the other, to insist upon a dedication at any time after January 1, 1886. We may view it from another standpoint.

It is insisted that the alienation of his land by respondent renders it impossible to insist upon specific performance on the part of the city because the other parties are not in a position to perform on their part. But such alienation was not made until after the contract, if any existed, was broken on the part of the city. Now, if an enforceable contract existed against the city, certainly damages for its breach, if any were sustained, can be recovered. That action is left to appellant, which ought, perhaps, to be a sufficient reason why he ought not to recover against this respondent. But it is clear to us that appellant never had any right of action for specific performance against the city. While the power of a court of equity to thus coerce the legislative branch of a municipal government is very doubtful, (see Wells, Juris. 33 et seg.,) yet we do not base our decision on that ground. Both the contract and the resolution provide that the city, when it accepts such dedication, shall agree to maintain the same as a public park forever, in good repair, or in as good repair as when accepted, free from all nuisances whatsoever, and place only such buildings and improvements thereon as shall be suitable to the purposes of a public park. Now, it is evident that these covenants are continuing covenants, and their enforcement would or might require the constant supervision of a court. Courts of equity will never compel specific performance of such contracts. Blanchard v. Railroad Co., 31 Mich. 43, and the extended citations in the reporter’s note to that case. Again, every alleged violation of said contract would involve the consideration and determination of questions of fact. Such contracts are never specifically enforced. Caswell v. Gibbs, 33 Mich. 331. The transfer of his land by respondent deprived appellant of no legal right. The judgment of the district court dismissing the complaint is affirmed. All concur.