1 Stew. 166 | Ala. | 1827
In this case, there are many assignments of error. That which was principally relied on is, that the jurisdiction of the Court does not appear from any part of the proceedings. By the 47th section of the act of 1803,
Rut it is also assigned, that no sufficient cause of removal appears. Itwas contended that the only legal cause of a removal of a guardian is, that after being summoned, he refuses or neglect to return an inventory, or to account annually. This is, indeed one cause of removal, but the statute says he may be displaced for any good and sufficient cause. That-is, as I conceive, for such cause as would authorize a court of equity, or any court vested with authority, as to the custody of the person and estate of a minot, to remove his guardian. No court of equity would hesitate long to remove a guardian for the causes set forth in this complaint, the verdict of a jury having ascertained the complaint to be true.
It was farther objected, that matters were tried by the jury,-which should have been determined by the Court. The trial by jury was claimed by the appellant; he plead not guilty to the whole matter, and cannot now be permitted to take advantage of his own wrong, and insist that this was error. All the other objections, I think, are equally unavailing. Indeed I \iew this proceeding as in the nature of a petition, or suit in equity, &c. where strict rules of pleading and technical forms are not observed; and tiie revising Court ought not to be astute in searching for objections in distinctions, which might perhaps be available in an action at law, but cannot be regarded in equity, unless the record shews that a material right, or
Laws Ala, 384,■