McLaughlin v. Fowler. Same v. Thorpe, 154 U.S. 663

Mr. Chief Justice Waite

delivered the opinion of the court.

The only Federal question in these eases is whether the patents to the Western Railroad Company for lands within the limits of the Moquelomnes grant are valid. If that-question was not decided by the court below we have no jurisdiction; if it was, the judgment was right, because in accordance with Newhall v. Sanger, 92 U. S. 761, brought here in 1875 for the determination of the same identical question. Such being the case the judgment must be affirmed. We can only look beyond the Federal question when that has been decided erroneously, and then only to see whether there are any other matters or issues adjudged by the state court sufficiently broad to maintain the judgment, notwithstanding the error in the decision ‘of the Federal question. Murdoch v. Memphis, 20 Wall. 591.

The judgment in each of these cases is affirmed on the ‘authority of Newhall v. Sanger.

Case Details

Case Name: McLaughlin v. Fowler. Same v. Thorpe

Court Name: Supreme Court of the United States

Date Published: Dec 13, 1880

Citations: 154 U.S. 663; 14 S. Ct. 1192; 26 L. Ed. 176; 1880 U.S. LEXIS 1558; 94 and 95

Docket Number: 94 and 95

Court Abbreviation: U.S.