Commonwealth v. East Boston Ferry Co.
Commonwealth v. East Boston Ferry Co.
Opinion of the Court
It has been decided that the limitation provided in Gen. Sts. c. 155, § 20, (Rev. Sts. c. 120, § 21,) does not apply to proceedings by indictment. Commonwealth v. Boston & Worcester Railroad, 11 Cush. 512. The limitation contained in Gen. Sts. c. 63, § 99, was first introduced by St. 1853, c. 414. It is there made to apply exclusively to railroad corporations. By the revision of the General Statutes the provisions of St. 1840, c. 80, are incorporated in c. 160, § 34, omitting railroads from among those carriers of passengers especially mentioned. This section as it stands applies to all common carriers of? passengers, but the chapter contains no limitation of time within which the penalty may be enforced. It is argued for the defendants that the limitation to one year, of “ indictments against a corporation for loss of life,” contained in Gen. Sts. c 63, § 99, is in terms
There are several grounds of demurrer.
First, that it is not alleged that Vose was appointed administrator in Massachusetts. But it is alleged that Burns resided and lost his life in Boston, and that Vose is of Boston, and f‘ has been duly appointed and now is administrator of said Burns.” The reasonable implication is that such appointment was made in this state. In Commonwealth v. Sanford, 12 Gray, 174, relied on to sustain this demurrer, the facts were the reverse of the present case.
Secondly, that “ John Vose, otherwise called John Vose the younger of that name,” is “ uncertain, informal and illegal.” We do not see that there is force in this objection; nor that
Thirdly, that the averment relative to such tolls “as the mayor and aldermen of the city of Boston for the time being should determine ” is insufficient and uncertain ; and
Fourthly, that there is no allegation that tolls had ever been so established.
But neither of these allegations is material or necessary to the support of the indictment. It is alleged that the defendants were carriers for hire, arid that Bums was a passenger for hire. These allegations sufficiently show the relation of the parties, and the liability of the defendants under the statute.
Exceptions overruled.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Commonwealth v. East Boston Ferry Company
- Status
- Published