Magenheim v. Board of Ed. of School Dist. of Riverview Gardens, 48299

Citation340 S.W.2d 619
Decision Date12 December 1960
Docket NumberNo. 2,No. 48299,48299,2
PartiesMilton D. MAGENHEIM, Appellant, v. BOARD OF EDUCATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT OF RIVERVIEW GARDENS, and William R. Pelster, Roy B. Boswell, Charles F. Schmidt, St., Vernon Hixson, Donald P. Shine and Russell H. Dohrmann, as Members of the Board of Education of the School District of Riverview Gardens, Respondents
CourtUnited States State Supreme Court of Missouri

Paul W. Preisler, St. Louis, for appellant.

Aubrey B. Hamilton, St. Louis, for respondents.

BOHLING, Commissioner.

Milton D. Magenheim sued the Board of Education of The School District of Riverview Gardens in the County of St. Louis, Missouri, and the members of said Board in their official capacity. We refer to the parties as plaintiff and defendant, using the singular for the defendants. Plaintiff's amended petition was in two counts. Upon motion, both counts were dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief could be granted. Plaintiff asserts we have jurisdiction over his appeal because Count II of his petition involves a construction of Art. I, Sec. 2 of the Missouri Constitution, V.A.M.S., and Amendment XIV of the Federal Constitution. The amount in dispute is clearly insufficient to vest appellate jurisdiction here under Laws 1959, S.B. 7, changing Sec. 477.040 RSMo 1949, V.A.M.S. Defendant presents no point challenging our jurisdiction, although it is stated in the brief that plaintiff's petition falls far short of pleading a violation of either the State or Federal constitutions in that conclusions and no sufficient facts are alleged in plaintiff's attempt to present a constitutional question for determination. It is our duty to inquire into and determine our appellate jurisdiction.

A careful study of plaintiff's petition and briefs convinces us we need not detail the allegations of fact in Count II to rule whether a construction of the Constitution of the United States or of this State was presented and preserved for determination within the meaning of Art. V, Sec. 3, of the Missouri Constitution so as to vest appellate jurisdiction in this court.

"Raising a constitutional question is not a mere matter of form; the question must really exist and if it does not exist it is not raised." Quoted in Berberet v. Electric Park Amusement Co., 310 Mo. 655, 276 S.W. 36, 38. State v. Brookshire, Mo., 325 S.W.2d 497, 501.

Lohmeyer v. St. Louis Cordage Co., 214 Mo. 685, 691, 113 S.W. 1108, 1110, 1111, states: '[W]e have sedulously retained to ourselves the right to look within the shell of briefs, pleadings, and records to the kernel of the thing, to see if the jurisdictional question is of substance, and not merely colorable * * *. Doing so, we find there is no constitutional question raised and preserved.'

To preserve a constitutional question for review here it must be raised at the first opportunity; the sections of the Constitution claimed to have been violated must be specified; the point must be preserved in the motion for new trial, if any; and it must be adequately covered in the briefs. City of St. Louis v. Butler Co., Banc, 358 Mo. 1221, 219 S.W.2d 372, 376; Record Newspaper Co. v. Industrial Comm. of Mo., Mo., 340 S.W.2d 613; Baker v. Baker, Mo.App., 274 S.W.2d 322, 325.

The sole 'Point' in plaintiff's brief making any reference to the Federal or State constitution reads:

'IV. Appellant's Claim For Relief Is Well Pleaded in the Amended Petition and the Trial Court Erred in Sustaining the Motions to Dismiss. Sections 527.010 through 527.140, RSMo 1949; Section 2 of Article I, Constitution of Missouri, 1945; Article XIV of the Amendments, Constitution of the United States.'

Plaintiff's point may be sufficient as an assignment of error under our former practice (Repple v. East Texas Motor Freight Lines, Mo., 289 S.W.2d 109, 111), but it does not comply with the requirements of our Ruless for presenting and preserving a constitutional issue vesting appellate jurisdiction in this court. Supreme Court Rule 83.05(a)(3), (e), V.A.M.R., in addition to requiring the points relied on to show what actions or rulings of the court are sought to be reviewed, requires an appellant to show wherein and why they are claimed to be erroneous; and abstract statements of law or mere assertions, without showing how they are related to the action or ruling of the court, do not comply with the rule. Jacobs v. Stone, Mo., 299 S.W.2d 438, 440[3-5]; Morris v. Willis, Mo., 338 S.W.2d 777, 779; Beeler v. Board of Adjustment, Mo.App., 298 S.W.2d 481, 482[1, 2], and cases cited.

Complaints in the printed argument of a brief and assignments or points first presented in a reply brief do not comply with our rules and present nothing for our consideration. Berghorn v. Reorganized School Dist. No. 8, 364 Mo. 121, 260 S.W.2d 573[5, 6]; Jones v. Giannola, Mo.App., 252 S.W.2d 660[6, 7].

Issues submitted in appellant's original brief are not to be enlarged by presentations in his reply brief, as respondent is entitled to an opportunity to answer an issue presented by appellant. State ex rel. Houser v. St. Louis Union Trust Co., Mo., 248 S.W.2d 592, 594.

Court en Banc stated in City of St. Louis v. Butler Co., supra, 219 S.W.2d loc. cit. 380:

'The party raising or relying on a constitutional question should cite the constitutional provision relied on by article and section number, and state his reasons as held in the Robinson-Nick case [Robinson v. Nick], supra, 345 Mo. loc. cit. 309, 134 S.W.2d loc. cit. 115, or that decision and others of like tenor should be overruled. It we take the position that the foregoing requirement need not be enforced literally, * * * then it will be a question for the court to decide in each case.

'But certainly it should not be held a mere allegation that a given act, claim, right or statute 'violates the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Missouri,' or the 'applicable' provisions of those Constitutions, properly raises a constitutional question.' See also concurring opinion of Douglas, J.

Among allegations that have been held insufficient are: "That said ordinance and the provisions complained of are unconstitutional and void, in that th...

To continue reading

Request your trial
29 cases
  • La Plant v. E. I. Du Pont De Nemours & Co., 7872
    • United States
    • Missouri Court of Appeals
    • 22 Abril 1961
    ...review. Rule 83.05, subd. (a)(3) and (e), V.A.M.R. [formerly Rule 1.08, subd. (a)(3) and (d)]; Magenheim v. Board of Education of School Dist. of Riverview Gardens, Mo., 340 S.W.2d 619, 621(3); State ex rel. Sisson v. Felker, Mo.App., 336 S.W.2d 419, DuPont also assigns error in refusal of ......
  • Schulte v. Missionaries of La Salette Corp. of Mo.
    • United States
    • Missouri Supreme Court
    • 11 Diciembre 1961
    ...may not be so expanded; the respondent should be afforded a fair opportunity to answer all points and all arguments. Magenheim v. Board of Education, Mo., 340 S.W.2d 619; Berghorn v. Reorganized School Dist. No. 8, 364 Mo. 121, 260 S.W.2d 573; Rule 83.05(a)(e), V.A.M.R. This does not mean t......
  • Haire v. Stagner
    • United States
    • Missouri Court of Appeals
    • 6 Abril 1962
    ...remand. RUARK, P. J., and McDOWELL, J., concur. 1 Hardy v. McNary, Mo., 351 S.W.2d 17, 20(4); Magenheim v. Board of Education of School Dist. of Riverview Gardens, Mo., 340 S.W.2d 619, 621(3); Walker v. Thompson, Mo., 338 S.W.2d 114, 116-117(6, 7); Turner v. Calvert, Mo., 315 S.W.2d 118, 12......
  • Hoover v. Whisner
    • United States
    • Missouri Court of Appeals
    • 2 Diciembre 1963
    ...Mo.App., 311 S.W.2d 104, 108(4).4 Walker v. Thompson, Mo., 338 S.W.2d 114, 116-117(6, 7); Magenheim v. Board of Education of School Dist. of Riverview Gardens, Mo., 340 S.W.2d 619, 621(3); Hardy v. McNary, Mo., 351 S.W.2d 17, 20(4); Kirkwood v. City of St. Louis, Mo., 351 S.W.2d 781, 787(13......
  • Request a trial to view additional results

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT