88 Ala. 377 | Ala. | 1889
The main principle of law which is to govern this case is fully discussed and settled in the case of The Georgia Pacific Railway Co. v. Wilks, 86 Ala. 478. We had held on a former appeal that a railroad corporation can not, without an express grant of power, acquire or recover an interest in lands, unless it is made to appear that such property is necessary or proper for carrying out the
The amendment of the bill, so far as its mere allegations are concerned, perhaps brings this case within the statute. But there is no proof to sustain these allegations. We can not know judicially that the original roads, if completed according to their charters, would have been so located as “to admit the passage of burden or passenger cars” from the one to the other “continuously, without break or interruption.” Some evidence is necessary to enlighten the mind of the court on this subject. There is a growing disposition, it is true, for the courts to extend the area of judicial knowledge, so as to keep proper pace with the rapid advance of
The failure of proof on this point authorized the dismissal of the bill, aside from other questions raised.
The case was submitted in term time, on pleadings and proof, and the chancellor had full authority to decide it in vacation by final decree on the merits — -either party aggrieved having the power to apply to the' chancellor for a re-hearing by the second day of the next ensuing term of his court, following the vacation. — Eule of Prac. No. 80; Code, 1886, p. 825. It is not a case where the proof is sufficient and the allegations insufficient, but the reverse. No amendment of the pleadings is needed, and it is too late to correct the deficiency of proof. — Hooper v. Strahan, 71 Ala. 75; Gilmer v. Morris, 80 Ala. 78; Gilmer v. Wallace, 75 Ala. 220.
The decree of the chancellor is free from error, and must be affirmed.