Frelinghuysen v. Baldwin

Wallace, J. Since the decision in Miller v. Chicago, B. & Q. R. Co. 17 Fed. Rep. 97, the supreme court, in Gibson v. Bruce, 2 Sup. Ct. Rep. 873, has construed the language of sections 2 and 3 of the removal act of 1875 to require as a condition of removal that the requisite diversity of citizenship exist both when the suit was begun and when the petition for removal is filed. That decision seems to control the present case, where the removal was procured by the plaintiff under subdivision 3 of section 639 of the Revised Statutes, the parties both being residents of New Jersey when the suit was brought, but the defendant having removed subsequently to Now York. The language of this subdivision is substantially similar-to that of section 2 of the removal act of 1875, so far as it relates to the question now under consideration, and the reasons stated in the opinion-of the court in Gibson v. Bruce apply with equal force to a removal under subdivision 3 of section 639. The motion to remand is granted.