Blunt v. Sheppard

Decision Date31 May 1822
Citation1 Mo. 219
PartiesBLUNT v. SHEPPARD.
CourtMissouri Supreme Court

MCGIRK, C. J.

This was an action originally commenced before a Justice of the Peace, by certiorari; taken to the Circuit Court, and the proceedings there set aside, and a trial had on the merits; a judgment for the plaintiff, now defendant in error, for about $84. This suit, before the justice, was against the constable, for a false return to an execution. It appears by an endorsement on the execution, that a deputy constable made the return, first mulla lona, and also stayed till returned by plaintiff's order. None of the evidence had before the Court, is preserved.

The first question made, is, will the writ of error lie where the judgment is under $100? The act of the General Assembly, passed first session of the State Legislature, only gives appeals and writs of error in cases where the thing in dispute shall, exclusive of costs, be in value equal to one hundred dollars. The Constitution says, the Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction only; but says nothing about the amount or value. The Legislature says, that appellate jurisdiction shall be limited to cases of $100. The Constitution does not give the power to limit the right of appeals, &c., to the Legislature. The Constitution gives the right, generally, to all citizens, to have their causes reviewed in the Supreme Court, without regard to amount; therefore, our opinion is, the writ of error will lie, notwithstanding the limitation in the act. (a)

With respect to the correctness of the judgment of the Circuit Court, we can say nothing. The matters of fact were found by the Court, and no point of law, arising out of the facts, appears to have been saved, if any were made. One reason in arrest of judgment, is, that inasmuch as the return on the first execution was made by deputy, the proceeding should not be against the principal. The proceeding in that respect is right, for every principal is liable for the act of his deputy in all civil matters. It is said, there is no proof that the principal ever had the execution, and that the deputy appears only to have had it. The answer to this, is, that all these things must be presumed to have been proven in the Circuit Court. As to the other reasons in arrest of judgment, they are of no weight. The judgment of the Circuit Court is affirmed with costs.

(a). See Graves v. Black, pol 22

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16 cases
  • The State ex rel. Kansas & Texas Coal Railway v. Shelton
    • United States
    • Missouri Supreme Court
    • March 5, 1900
    ...the remedy is a constitutional right like appeal. Railroad v. Brick Co., 85 Mo. 307. Or a writ of error. State v. Jim, 1 Mo. 147; Blount v. Sheppard, 1 Mo. 219; Calloway v. State, 1 Mo. 780; Const. Mo., secs. 3, art. VI; Amend. 1884, sec. 5; State ex rel. v. Springer, 134 Mo. 222; Ex parte ......
  • Kansas City v. Bacon
    • United States
    • Missouri Supreme Court
    • December 23, 1898
    ... ... error as a matter of statutory right, but also as a matter of ... constitutional right. [ Blunt v. Sheppard, 1 ... Mo. 219; Calloway v. State, 1 Mo. 211; English ... v. Mullanphy, 1 Mo. 780; Jim v. State, 3 Mo ...          If ... ...
  • Barker v. St. Louis County
    • United States
    • Missouri Supreme Court
    • April 21, 1937
    ... ... Portland, 69 Me. 278; Reagan v. Farmers' Loan & Trust Co., 154 U.S. 399, 38 L.Ed. 1024; Smyth v ... Ames, 169 U.S. 525, 42 L.Ed. 841; Blunt v ... Sheppard, 1 Mo. 219; St. Louis v. Marchel, 99 Mo. 475 ...           George ... E. Heneghan for respondent ... ...
  • In re Birmingham Drainage District v. Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company
    • United States
    • Missouri Supreme Court
    • April 8, 1918
    ...a constitutional right to such writ and to a full review of his case. St. Louis v. Marchel, 99 Mo. 475; Jim v. State, 3 Mo. 147; Blunt v. Shepard, 1 Mo. 219; v. State, 1 Mo. 211; English v. Mullanphy, 1 Mo. 780; Tenton v. Dugal, 1 Mo. 761; State v. Thayer, 158 Mo. 36; Lynes v. State of Alab......
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