Deitz v. Groesbeck

Coolev, J: This was a case of special appeal from the judgment of a justice of the peace. A number of errors were assigned, and upon the whole record the circuit court reversed the judgment. We cannot on special appeal consider mere irregularities in the proceedings before the justice. If a party wishes to plant himself upon those, he must resort to his writ of cer-tiorari. Questions of jurisdiction, however, are open to him on special appeal. The first objection we can notice is, that the affidavit by which the suit was commenced was insufficient, first, because it was made by one of the plaintiffs only, and he did not swear to authority from the other; and second,, because it did not sufficiently show a cause of action. Authority from his co-tenant is to be assumed, and in other particulars we [305] think the affidavit was sufficient. It showed that defendant had taken the property of the plaintiffs from the possession of their bailee, and converted it to his own use. It was not necessary to negative in the affidavit any possible defense; such, for instance, as the consent of the bailee, if that would constitute a defense. Some adjournments of the case by the justice are objected to as having been ordered without any showing, and therefore without authority of law. The justice’s return shows the adjournments, but does not show that they were made without the proper application and evidence. We must consequently presume they were properly made. These are all the objections we can notice. The judgment of the circuit court must be reversed, and the cause be remanded for further proceedings. The other Justices concurred.