Flanegan v. Negley

3 Serg. & Rawle 498

• Court: Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
• Decided: December 20, 1817
• Status: Published

Opinion

Tilghman C. J.'

William Negley, the plaintiff, below,

took out a writ of summons, against Stephen Flanegan, the defendant, in an action on the case, and before the summons was served on the defendant, the plaintiff entered a rule for arbitration. The only question is, whether the rule could be entered under these circumstances. In Hertzog v. Ellis, (3 Binn. 209,) the principle established by this Court, was, that a rule for arbitration might be entered by the plaintiff, at any time after the entry of the action on the docket of the prothonotary. The same principle .was affirmed in the case of Sharp (in error) v. Kilgore, decided at Chambersburg, last September Term. That principle governs the present case. Some of the mischiefs apprehended by the defendant’s' counsel, can never happen. If a plaintiff should take out a summons against a defendant, living out of the county of Philadelphia, and then serve him, out of the county, with a rule for an arbitration, the Court would quash the proceedings as irregular, and a fraud upon the law. The Court, however, are not ignorant of many inconveniences attending the arbitration system. They have, on several occasions, pointed them out. ‘ But it would be a breach of duty in them, to assume the right of amending the law. They are bound, to give an honest interpretation to the acts of the legislature, according to what appears to them to be their true meaning. When inconveniences are felt, it is to be presumed, they will be remedied, by those to whom the Constitution has entrusted the power. In conformity to the construction already established, I am of opinion, that the judgment in this case should be affirmed.

Gibson J. was absent.

Duncan J.

I entirely concur in the opinion just delivered. The issuing of a writ in the construction of the statute of limitations, is the bringing of an action to prevent the limitation running. The entry of an action on the docket, is such commencement of the action, as in the view of the legislature, without more done, would entitle the. party to enter a rule of arbitration. The inconveniences arising from this construction, are many, and call loudly on the legislature for amendments and alterations. But this consideration will not justify the Court in departing from the provisions of the act.

.Judgment affirmed.