Reynolds v. Bedford

In the first of these causes, we think there is no error in the point relied on. The justice, in our opinion, was correct, in overruling the demurrer. The act conferring jurisdiction to justices of the peace, gives to either party the right of trial by jury ; and,when it is considered generally, that the justices cannot be much acquainted with the science of the law, it cannot be important to the parties litigant, to draw the examination of facts from the jury, to the court. An act of the last session, enables every party aggrieved, to obtain a special return of the facts ;† and this we think, ought to supersede demurrers to evidence. They are frequently interposed to entangle justice in the nets of the law ; and we mean to be understood, that the inferior magistrate rightly overruled it, on the ground, that it is a proceeding inapplicable to suits under the “ act for the “ more speedy recovery of "debts to the value of twenty-five “ dollars.” The judgment in that cause must therefore be affirmed. In the second, it must be reversed, agreeably to the decision in Day v. Wilber. For the justice has undertaken to set forth the oath he did administer; and. as it is materially varient, the word “ duly,” cannot be of any avail.