In re Palliser

40 F. 575, 1889 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 242

• Court: U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Southern New York
• Decided: December 12, 1889
• Status: Published

Opinion

LacoMbe, J.

The point raised here by the defendant is a sharp one. If this were a civil cause, where legislative intent would be largely determinative of doubtful phrases, it would probably be held that his objection is not well taken. Whether or not the same decision would be reached' in a criminal case is another question, which, unless good grounds to the contrary are shown, should be determined in proceedings conducted according to the regular and orderly practice in federal courts, whereby there is, in the first instance, a decision upon the law by the district court, and, if desired, a review of such decision by the circuit court, which may, .in a proper case, be constituted with two judges; and, if they differ in opinion, they may certify any question of difference to the supreme court. The petitioner’s counsel asks to have the questions raised by him decided upon this application, for the reason that, as he insists, should the decision be adverse to him, he would be able to prosecute an appeal to the supreme court, — a tribunal which he assumes he can reach in no other way. He is in error as to the practice. The appeal, in habeas corpus cases, which, since the act of March 8, 1885, may be taken to the supreme court, covers appeals only from final decisions of such “circuit court.” Wales v. Whitney, 114 U. S. 565, 5 Sup. Ct. Rep. 1050. It does not cover appeals in habeas corpus, where the writ is returnable before a circuit judge. Carper v. Fitzgerald, 121 U. S. 87, 7 Sup. Ct. Rep. 825. The present proceeding is before the circuit judge, not before the circuit court, which, in this district, has regularly assigned terms for the transaction of criminal business, and a judge specially designated to hold them. Let the writ be dismissed.