Payne v. McCabe

OPINION. Eakin, J. The writ was allowed to go, in this case, not-without considerable doubt in the mind of the court as to-its propriety, but in order that the matter might be more intelligently decided upon the return of the transcript and. argument of counsel. The offices and functions of the common law writ of certiorari, which issued in England from the King’s Bench, or out of Chancery, to supervise the action of inferior-courts and quasi judicial tribunals, have been much contracted in the American States by Constitutional provisions and Statutes defining the jurisdictions of the several courts, opening up the channels of appeal to a common center, and providing definite means for the correction of errors. Hence, a great many cases may arise here, where the necessity of the writ would not be apparent; as between citizen and citizen its use is in the sound discretion of the court, it should in such cases be refused. It is to be remembered also, that with regard to a very large class of the cases in which the writ was used by the King’s Bench, it is the Circuit and not the Supreme Court which occupies the position analogous to the King’s Bench. They are cases where causes before judgment were lifted into the Superior Court for the more certain administration of justice, where errors of inferior courts were to be corrected, and trials de novo ordered, and where proceedings of public boards and commissioners were to be corrected. These require the exercise of original jurisdiction. It is only where the writ of certiorari is to subserve the purposes of a writ of error, or to bring up or perfect a record, that this. court can be considered as occupying the position of the King’s Bench. The common law powers of that tribunal devolves generally upon the Circuit Courts, which are our highest courts of original jurisdiction. Further, the writ of certiorari in England was never issued to the Court of Chancery. That was a court of equal dignity with the King’s Bench, and in no way subject to its control. Errors in chancery decrees could be corrected by Bill of Review in the court itself, or by appeal to the House of Lords. Whilst in this counti-y the Courts of Chancery are made courts of record, and equally with the Circuit Courts subordinate to the supreme appellate tribunals, ,by writs of error as well as by appeal, it would still seem that without legislation or some plain necessity, the writ of certiorari should not, as a consequence, be extended to cover cases, which it did not at common law. This is the view of the case taken by M. Powell in his work on Appellate Proceedings. Oiting Ohio decisions. (Nee Sec. 6 of chajpt. 8). i. mandan o n e pcanles.1’ For the rest, the general current and greater weight of the American authorities, although they have not been uniform in their treatment of this question, is still clearly to the effeet that it ought not to issue in any case where there is, or has been, a right of appeal, unless the opportunity of appealing has been lost without fault of the petitioner. This view of the case has been taken by this court in the case of Smith v. Parker, 25 Ark., 518, and other cases. Looking to the constitution, we find the writ of certiorari specially mentioned' amongst those writs which this court may issue and determine, “ in aid of its appellate and supervising jurisdiction,” connected with an express provision that the jurisdiction of this court shall be appellate only. The only exceptions are in cases of quo warranto to Circuit Judges and Chancellors, and to officers of political corporations to question their legal existence. In these the jurisdiction is original. Art. VII, secs. 4 and 5. It is further invested with “ a general superintending control ” over other courts, which is elsewhere designated as a “ supervising jurisdiction.” It is well understood that these terms do not give the power to direct the proceedings of inferior courts, in matters of discretion, whilst the cases are in progress, but to keep them within the bounds of their jurisdiction, and to correct errors when committed. This may be done by prohibition, mandamus, appeals, writs of error and, where no jurisdiction exists in the court below, or where records are to be brought into court, by writs of certiorari. These writs and the others mentioned in this connection by the constitution are to be used by this court only as auxiliaries. It will thus be seen how far the common law use of the writ of certiorari has been superseded, or has fallen into disuetude in modern American practice, especially in appellate courts. In view of this tendency, and considering it as always discretionary, it should not be used unless essential to purposes of justice. In this case the court at the same term, after the first decree had been entered, and an appeal taken, modified the decree so as to extend the injunction over the time during which the appeal might be pending here. The defendant might have appealed for that modification of the decree, but that was not necessary to his protection, as he had the power to cause the complainant’s appeal to be prosecuted in due time, and the judgment or order of this court would of itself have determined the injunction as effectually as upon his own appeal, in case the decree of the Chancellor on the merits should be affirmed. Besides, he incurs no danger of loss. The sureties on the original injunction bond remain bound during the pendency of the appeal here, and if he should have the appeal docketed and dismissed for want of prosecution, the injunction would cease, and would not be revived by any new appeal taken by complainant. The order of the court below, applied only to the specific appeal already granted. injtooTION DIS-The court had jurisdiction of the persons and the subjects-J matter, and if the order continuing the injunction in plainant’s favor, after a decree adverse to his equities improper, it could only be error in the court, in improperly moulding the decree to subserve, what seemed to the chancellor, the purposes of justice. It is not uncommon in equity to make orders to protect the rights of parties for a reasonable time after the determination of the suit in that court. How far the court acted prudently may be matter of comment when an opinion maybe rendered on the merits. Suffice it here to say, that there is no objection on the ground of jurisdiction. The appeal itself did not revive the injunction. That is well settled. It required a judicial ■order. But the records and decrees of all courts are within their power during the term, and may be set aside or modified. The effect of both orders, taken together, is not at •once to dissolve the injunction, but to continue it for a determinable period, beyond which it could not extend ; a period which the defendant had the power to bring to a termination and within the time necessary for the hearing of the case here, •and the action of the court upon it; which time indeed, this •court might possibly make shorter, upon a motion to dissolve even during its pendency here, if that should from any cause «eem desirable. After this court acquires jurisdiction it has full power over the whole cause with regard to all things .appearing on record. Upon all the circumstances of this particular case, we are of the opinion that the writ of certiorari was not within the ordinary rules of practice, nor essential to the purposes of justice. It should be dismissed. Judgment accordingly.