Halseth v. South Dakota Central Railway Co.
Halseth v. South Dakota Central Railway Co.
Opinion of the Court
Action for damages for hogs killed by defendant’s train. The jury found the value of the bogs to be $87.50. The court rendered judgment for double that amount together with ■costs and disbursements. From the 'judgment defendant appealed urging three principal grounds of error: (a) the uncon'stitutionality of the double damage statute (chap. 218, Raws -of 1907) ; (b) the. refusal to direct the verdict because of the absence of evidence as to the ownership of the bogs; (c) that plaintiff was and that de-dendant was not negligent.
Since the entry of judgment and the preparation of appellant’s brief, the supreme -court of the United States in the case of C. M. & St. P. Ry. Co. v. Polt, 232 U. S. 165, 58 L. Ed. —, 34 Sup. Ct. Rep. 301, 'has reversed the judgment -of this court in -the case of Polt v. C. M. & St. P. Ry. Co., 26 S. D. 378, 128 N. W. 472. That court held the double damage feature of chap. 215, Laws 1907, to be obnoxious to the rudiments- o-f fair play. Because of s-uch decision upon the validity of the railway fire statute respondent concedes that the sum of $87.50 -must be deducted from the judgment in -this case.
The judgment of the trial court is modified by deducting therefrom the sum of $87.50 -and as so modified it is affirmed. Costs will not -be taxed1 .by or against either party’in this court.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- HALSETH v. SOUTH DAKOTA CENTRAL RAILWAY COMPANY
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published