Hoglan v. Commonwealth
Hoglan v. Commonwealth
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of tie court:
This anomalous record, containing a statement of the judge, added at the close of the bill of exceptions, and a transcript of the record from the circuit court, neither of which was pertinent to the question involved, but which seem to be incorporated to show the state of hostility existing between these parties, and the motives which may have influenced the actions of the one or the other, all which this court can neither approve nor consider, pre-. sents but one question for judicial determination, and that is, did the court below abuse a judicial discretion, in refusing to license appellant to retail spirituous liquors.
It is shown that in the town of Shepherdsville, when .appellant applied for license, .there were then two licensed taverns'with the privilege of selling liquors; and it does not so clearly appear from the evidence that the privilege to appellant to sell liquor was required for the convenience of travelers, as to authorize this court to conclude that the judge below abused a sound legal discretion in refusing the privilege to appellant.
Though the discretion conferred by law on the county courts is broad, it should not be exercised in an arbitrary and unlimited manner; and when such an exercise of the power is manifested, this court would interpose; but in this case, the evidence fails to show that there was any necessity for the grant, or that travelers were put to any inconvenience from -the refusal of the court to grant the privilege to appellant; and as this court cannot inquire into the motives of the county judge by Avhich he was influenced, but must decide the question upon the evidence as presented, and the law. applicable thereto, we cannot say that an abuse of the discretion conferred has been made out.
Wherefore, the judgment is affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.