Wells v. United States

257 F. 605, 168 C.C.A. 555, 1919 U.S. App. LEXIS 2246
CourtCourt of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
DecidedMay 5, 1919
DocketNo. 3186
StatusPublished
Cited by19 cases

This text of 257 F. 605 (Wells v. United States) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Wells v. United States, 257 F. 605, 168 C.C.A. 555, 1919 U.S. App. LEXIS 2246 (9th Cir. 1919).

Opinion

WOLVERTON, District Judge

(after stating the facts as above). The first question presented here is whether the indictment by each count charges two or more distinct offenses. It is unnecessary at this time fo analyze the indictment, read in connection with the statute under which it is drawn (section 6, Criminal Code), to determine whether or not it contains the statement of two or more separate and distinct offenses. It is sufficient to say that the objection was only raised by a motion to dismiss at the close of the government’s case, on the ground that the indictment does not state facts sufficient to constitute an offense against the defendants, and a further motion at the close of the case for a directed verdict discharging the defendants, for the same reason.

[1] The objection that an indictment is had for duplicity is waived by going to trial, unless previously tested by demurrer, motion to quash, or motion that the prosecution he required to elect between the offenses charged. The rule is thus stated in 12 Cyc. 762:

“The objection that an indictment is bad for duplicily should be made by demurrer, by motion to quash, or by motion that the prosecution be required to elect between the offenses, and a failure to do so waives the objection and it cannot be raised by motion in arrest of judgment.”

See, also, United States v. Bayaud (C. C.) 16 Fed. 376.

The waiver intercepts any later objection made to the form of the indictment that it is bad for duplicity, and the defendants were precluded from interposing it at the time they sought to do so. For this reason, the court will not now further consider it.

[2] It is next contended that the indictment is not sufficient, for reasons following: First, that the joint resolution of Congress declaring [610]*610war against the Imperial German government is not a law, within the purview of section 6 of the Criminal Code; and, -second, that both counts are bad, because lacking in specific and definite allegations showing in what manner the offenses were to be committed.'

Article 1, § 7, of the Constitution, prescribes the requisites to be observed by which a bill introduced in either house of Congress shall become a law. It must pass both houses and be presented to the President. If he approves it, it becomes a law. If he returns it with his veto, it must be to the house in which it originated. The section then proceeds as follows:

“If after such reconsideration two-thirds of that house shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of that house, it shall become a law. But in all such cases the votes of both houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each house respectively. If any bill shall not be returned by the President within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law, in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their adjournment prevent its return, in which case it shall not be a law.
“Every order, resolution, or vote to which the concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of adjournment), shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the same shall take effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two-thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the rules and limitations prescribed in the case of a bill.”

While not passing upon the question directly, the Supreme Court has considered and treated joint resolutions as having the effect of law. For instance, the court, in considering a joint resolution suspending the operation of an act of Congress, says, in United States ex rel. Levey v. Stockslager, 129 U. S. 470, 475, 9 Sup. Ct. 382, 384 (32 L. Ed. 785):

“It [the'joint resolution] had all the characteristics and effects of the act of March 2, 1867 [the act which the resolution suspended], which became a law by the approval of the President. Until Congress should further order, the operation of the act of March 2, 1867, was by the joint resolution effectually suspended.”

So in Fourteen Diamond Rings v. United States, 183 U. S. 176, 184, 22 Sup. Ct. 59, 62 (46 L. Ed. 138), Mr. Justice Brown, in a concurring opinion with the Chief Justice who rendered the opinion of the court, speaking of the function of a joint resolution, says:

“While a joint resolution, when approved by the President, or, being disapproved, is passed by two-thirds of each house, has the effect of a law (Const, art. 1, § 7), no such effect can be given to a resolution of either house acting independently of the other.”

The eminent Justice cites with approval 6 Op. Atty. Gen. 680, wherein Attorney General Cushing holds that:

While “joint resolutions of Congress are not distinguishable from bills, and * * * have all the effect of law, * * * separate resolutions of either house of Congress, except in matters appertaining to their own parliamentary rights., have no legal effect to constrain the action of the President or heads of departments.”

[611]*611The purpose of the resolution in question was weighty; it was designed to proclaim that a state of war existed between this government and Germany. It was designed to have, and by the intendment of Congress without question did have, the same effect and potency as if war had been declared by a regular act of Congress; otherwise, that body would, we may reasonably assume, have made the declaration by a regularly adopted act. We think that the resolution having the effect of law must be considered a law, within the meaning of section 6 of the Criminal Code.

[3, 4] Referring to the objection that the indictment fails to state definitely in what manner the offenses were to be committed, it is our opinion that the indictment itself, in both counts, completely answers it. We need not here repeat the language. It will be sufficient to call attention to the allegations of the purpose and intention of the alleged conspirators, which were to oppose by force the authority of the United States, to prevent, hinder, and delay the execution of the joint resolution of Congress declaring war, and to prevent by force the proper organization of armed military and naval forces of the United States, etc. This as to the first count. The second is equally explicit. The word “force” has a well-defined meaning, and it was not essential to the protection of the defendants, in their right to be so informed of what they were accused of doing as to enable them to concert their defense, that the pleader go further and state the particular manner in which the force was designed to be applied.

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Bluebook (online)
257 F. 605, 168 C.C.A. 555, 1919 U.S. App. LEXIS 2246, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/wells-v-united-states-ca9-1919.