Nelson v. State

134 S.W. 218 | Tex. Crim. App. | 1911

In this case appellant was convicted in the District Court of Camp County on May 26th of last year of unlawfully engaging in the sale of intoxicating liquors, and his punishment assessed at confinement in the penitentiary for a period of two years.

As the record comes to us it contains neither statement of facts nor bills of exception, and there are but few questions that can be reviewed by us.

1. The indictment charges an offense against the laws of this State. It follows closely the form approved in Mizell v. State, 59 Tex.Crim. Rep., 128 S.W. Rep., 125, and negatives the exception contained in the statute.

2. There is an instrument filed in this court moving us to reverse and dismiss the judgment of the lower court, because it is averred that the law making it a felony to engage in the business and occupation of selling intoxicating liquors in local option territory was passed and went into effect after the people of Camp County had voted upon and adopted local option. Attached to this motion and in support of it is filed a certified copy of the order of the Commissioners' Court declaring the result of said election. It must seem manifest that this can not be considered by us. If we could consider such ex parte papers at the instance of the appellant, it would follow logically that the State might in this way aid statement of facts or supply their absence. This practice would lead to gross abuses and greatest injustice, and is not to be tolerated. The judgment is affirmed.

Affirmed.