Hall v. Power
Hall v. Power
Opinion of the Court
The great and leading principles, upon which
a case like the present is to be tried before the jury, were, after much consideration, fully settled and announced in the case of Commonwealth v. Power, 7 Met. 596. The distinction between the right of the public generally to enter upon a rail road, or its depot, or any of its appendages, and that to enter upon a public highway, was there fully stated. The necessity and propriety of rules and restrictions as to the entering upon the grounds appropriated to a rail road, and that authority might be properly exercised by the superintendent and agents of the company, in enforcing such rules and regulations, having for their object the public convenience, and the quiet and safety of travellers, were fully recognized in the
No exceptions were taken to the general course of the instructions as to the rules of law applicable to the case, or that those given did not comport with the opinion of this court in the case above alluded to. Two grounds of objection are taken; one arising upon the refusal of the presiding judge to give certain instructions asked for by the defendants’ counsel ; the other grounded upon the rejection of evidence offered by the defendants.
1. As to the instruction asked, which was to this effect, that the court instruct the jury “that Power had aright to order Hall to leave the depot, and not to come there any more, and to remove him therefrom by force, if he did come, if, in the judgment merely of said Power, the plaintiff had violated the regulations contained in said circular, or had conducted offensively towards said Power, although the fact that the plaintiff had violated' such regulations, or had so conducted himself towards said Power, was not proved.”
This instruction, if adopted, would justify the defendant in removing a person who had in all respects conformed to the rules and regulations of the rail road company, and who had in fact demeaned himself with perfect propriety, if, in the judgment merely of the superintendent, he had violated any regulations of the company. This, we think, would be carrying the principle too far; quite beyond what the necessity of the case requires. With full power to make all necessary and suitable rules and regulations governing the conduct of all those who may enter, or attempt to enter, upon the rail road, at the depot for passengers, and with full power effectually to apply such rules and regulations, and remove every person who actually violates them, the company will possess all the autlnrity that the exigency of the case will require. In the opinion of the court, this request for instructions was properly ■refused.
Judgment on the verdict for the plaintiff.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Timothy Hall v. William A. Power & others
- Status
- Published