Hoover v. Wood

9 Ind. 286

• Court: Indiana Supreme Court
• Decided: June 6, 1857
• Status: Published

Opinion

Stuart, J.—

Wood sued Hoover before a magistrate, for the value of a cow alleged to have been killed on Hoover's premises, by his neglect. On the trial, Wood had judgment for 14 dollars. On appeal to the Common Pleas, there was a jury trial; verdict and judgment for 10 dollars. Hoover appeals.

The appellant’s motion for a new trial was overruled; but no exception was taken, nor is the evidence in the record. We have repeatedly held that such a record presents nothing to be considered. We know of no way to bring questions to this Court but that furnished in the practice act. 2 R. S. pp. 115, 116

(1).

Certain instructions given to the jury are also set out in a bill of exceptions. For the same reason we cannot review them. The evidence is not in the record, nor is there a question reserved under the statute. 2 R. S. supra.—Starry v. Winning, 7 Ind. R. 311. The instructions are not in themselves erroneous under any supposable state of facts; everything else will be presumed in favor of the ruling below (2).

The only question argued here is the constitutionality of the law authorizing county boards to determine what animals shall run at large in the respective townships. 1 R. S. p. 102.

If all new constitutions prove as fruitful of argument and litigation as our own, the people should indeed be cautious how they encourage change. Almost every case that comes here, though it be barren of any other point, is sure to involve a constitutional question.

Here, though the pleadings are in brief, we can readily imagine what they were. Wood’s cow is killed on Hoover’s premises, through his alleged neglect. Hoover says she was trespassing. Wood replies that the county board of Delaware county passed an order prescribing what animals may run at large in the several townships; and that cows were named. Hoover rejoins ore terms, that the law authorizing the county boards to pass such order is unconstitutional. And it is due to counsel to say that the point is ingeniously discussed.

It is urged, with great force, that the legislature can no more.take, or authorize to be taken, either dire'ctly or indirectly, the grass upon- A. B. and O.’s lands, than their grain or other products; and that to assume unenclosed lands to be commons, subject to common pasture, is virtually appropriating private property without compensation.

In another part of the argument, it is perspicuously-stated, whether consistently with the position first assumed or not it is needless to inquire, that the use of fences is to keep the owner’s cattle in, and not to shut his neighbor’s cattle out. However this may be theoretically, the practical view of it is, that fences may well answer both purposes (3).

While Courts cannot shun the discussion of constitutional questions when fairly presented, they will not go out of their way to find such topics. They will not seek to draw in such weighty matters collaterally, nor on trivial occasions. It is both more proper and more respectful to a co-ordinate department, to discuss constitutional questions only where that is the very lis mota. Thus presented and determined, the decision carries a weight with it to which no extra-judicial disquisition is entitled.

Acting on that principle, we are not advised in what way the law referred to came up; nor whether it had any bearing on the case. The record does not inform us how the.cow was killed. Nor does it appear what negligence of the defendant contributed to that result. All we know is what the jury say by their verdict. And in the state of the record, we must presume their conclusions correct. There is clearly no constitutional question involved.

T. J. Sample, for the appellant. J. S. Buckles, for the appellee.

Per Curiam. —

The judgment is affirmed, with 10 per cent, damages and costs.

Seo note to Wheeler v. Carpenter, ante, 153, for cases.

See note 3 to Manly v. Hubbard, ante, 233, for cases.

See The Indianapolis, &c., Railroad Co. v. Kinney, 8 Ind. R. 402; Williams v. The New Albany, &c. Railroad Co. 5 id. 111; The Lafayette, &c., Railroad Co. v. Shriner, 6 id. 141; Page v. Hollingsworth, 7 id. 317.