White v. Coleman
White v. Coleman
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the Court.
It seems to the Court from the record in this case, that the County court proceeded under the provisions of the road law of 1819, 2 Rev. Code, ch. 236, p. 233: and whether they had authority to do so was a question of fact dependent upon evidence. The 27th section of the act of 1835, Sess. Acts of 1834-5. p. 68, and subsequent statutes, made it lawful for the several County courts, in regard to the establishment of roads, the justices being previously summoned for the purpose, and a majority of the acting justices being present, to dispense
It further seems to the Court, that the County court also properly overruled the motion to quash the proceedings, so far as based upon the fact that the viewers appointed were petitioners for the road, inasmuch as it does not appear that they were parties to the controversy ; on the contrary, it is shewn by the record that the plaintiff in error here, was the sole applicant for the
It further seems to the Court, that the cause was properly reinstated in the County court, on the application of the parties to the controversy, by the order of June 1841 ; that there has been no discontinuance of the case, and that the County court decided correctly in establishing said road, and directing the damages assessed by the jury for the contestant, and the costs of the inquest, to be provided for and paid out of the county levy; but that it erred in directing that all the costs of the applicant should be so provided for and paid, in which respect the judgment of the County court is nugatory, and therefore prejudical to the applicant, who ought to have recovered his costs, except the costs of the inquest, against the contestant.
It therefore seems to the Court, that the judgment of the County court is erroneous, and was properly reversed by the Circuit court, but not for the reason assigned by that Court; and that the judgment of the Circuit court is erroneous in the directions to the County court given in the remanding of the cause.
And it is considered by the Court, that the judgment of the Circuit court be reversed and annulled, with costs to the plaintiff in error here. And this Court proceeding to render such judgment as the Circuit court ought to have rendered, it is further considered, that the judgment of the County court is erroneous, and that the same be reversed and annulled, with costs of the Circuit court to the plaintiff in error here. And the cause is remanded to the County court, with directions to establish the road, direct the damages assessed by the jury for the contestant, and the costs of the inquest, to be provided for and paid out of the county levy, and the other costs expended by the applicant, to be paid by the contestant.
Reference
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