5 Binn. 24 | Pa. | 1812
This case comes before us on a motion to quash the writ of error. The plaintiffs in error, supervisors of the highways in Manheim township in the county of Tork, were convicted before a justice of the peace of a breach of duty in not repairing and amending one of the highways within their district. The jurisdiction of the justice is founded on the 12th section of the act for laying out, making and keeping in repair, the public roads and highways,,&c. passed the 6th of April 1802. The act provides that if any supervisor shall conceive himself aggrieved by tbe judgment of a justice of the peace, he may appeal to .the next Court of Quarter Sessions, who shall take such order thereon as to them shall appear just and reasonable, and the same shall be conclusive. The general rule is, that where a new jurisdie
The plaintiffs in error have been convicted of a breach of duty as supervisors of the highways in Manheim township in York county, before a justice of the peace, and have been fined twelve dollars. They appealed by petition to the Quarter Sessions, pleaded not guilty to the charge, and
These proceedings have taken place under section 12 of the act of the 6th of April 1802, S St. Laws 188., which has provided, that supervisors neglecting to perform their duty, shall be fined in any sum not less than four dollars nor exceeding fifty dollars, to be recovered in a summary way before any justice of the peace of the county; but has allowed the supervisors, conceiving themselves aggrieved by the judgment of the justice, to appeal by petition to the next Court of Quarter Sessions, “ who shall take such order “thereon as to them shall appear just and reasonable, and “ the same shall be conclusive.”
The distinction is thus taken in Greenvelt v. Burwell, 1 Salk. 263. 144. S. C., Carth. 494., Com. Rep. 80., 1 Lord Ray. 469. Wherever a new jurisdiction is erected by act of parliament, and the court or judge that exercises this jurisdiction, acts as a court or judge of record, according to the course of the common law, a writ of error lies on their judgments; but where they act in a summary method, or in a new course, different from the common law, a writ of error does not lie, but a certiorari.
The justice here is directed to proceed in a summary way, and the sessions on the appeal are to take such order as to them shall appear just and reasonable. In the language of 'Lord Holt in the case cited, as reported in 1 Lord Ray. 469., for the purpose of an appeal under this act, “ it was a court “ newly instituted, empowered to proceed by methods un- “ known to the common law, as there is no need to have an “ indictment, or such formal judgment as in other cases; as “ there is no need to say, ideo consideratum, &c., but only “ quod solval, &c.” Such appears to be the plain meaning of this act.
It seems therefore irresistibly to follow, that a writ of error will not lie in the present instance; and I am of opinion that the same should be quashed.
Motion allowed.