Caldwell v. Baldwin

PETERS, J. I have looked into the transcript filed in this case, and have not been able to find that any appeal has been taken from the judgment of the court below, and certified to this court. This is necessary in order to bring the cause here, unless it is a case in which this court could exercise original jurisdiction. The constitution gives the general assembly authority to invest this court “with powers of a judicial nature.” — Art. YI, § 1, Const. Ala. But the character of the jurisdiction is prescribed by the constitution itself. This is done in the second section of the YI article. It is in these words : “ Section 2. Except in cases otherwise directed in the constitution, the supreme court shall have appellate jurisdiction only, which shall be co-extensive with the State, under such restrictions and regulations, not repugnant to this constitution, as may from time to time be proscribed by law ; Provided, That said court shall have power to issue writs of injunction, mandamus, habeas corpus, quo warranto, and such other remedial and original writs as may be necessary to give it a general superintendence and control of inferior jurisdictions.” — Art. YI, § 2, Const. Ala. In conformity with this section of the constitution, the [619] general assembly has prescribed by law the manner in which this jurisdiction shall be exercised. It is this: “ From any final judgment or decree of the chancery, circuit, or probate courts, except in such cases as are otherwise directed by law, an appeal lies to the supreme court, for the examination thereof, as matter of right, on the application of either party, or their personal representatives, and the clerk, register, or judge of probate, must certify the fact that such appeal was taken, and the time when, as part of the record, which gives the supreme court jurisdiction of the case.” — Eevised Code, § 3485. Without this, the cause is not in this court. The mere filing "of the transcript of the record in this court does not bring the case here, and entitle this court to take jurisdiction of it* The restrictions and regulations prescribed by law must be pursued. — Art. VI, § 2, Const. Ala.; Eevised Code, §§ 3485, 3486, 3509, 3498. No appeal having been taken in this cause, there is nothing on which to base a certiorari, in order to perfect the record. The case will not be dismissed, because it is not really in this court, but the party bringing the transcript here and filing it, in this court, has leave to withdraw it without costs. I am not aware that any authority exists which justifies this court to take jurisdiction of a cause, upon agreement of the parties, which has not been brought here in the manner prescribed by law. Let the party filing the transcript withdraw it, if he pleases to do so.