53 Mo. 88 | Mo. | 1873
delivered the opinion of the court.
An examination of the transcript filed here fails to disclose that any such order was ever entered óf record. It is a very salutary rule, long sanctioned by reason, experience and authority, that these special laws, that give origin to new and unexpected departures from general rules, should be closely scrutinized, and the powers therein conferred strictly construed. (Schell vs. Leland, 45 Mo. 289.) Applying this rule here an easy and ready solution of the disposition to be made of this case is soon reached.
The entry of record in such a case constitutes at once both the authority of the special judge and the evidence of that authority, without which he is utterly powerless to act. It follows as an inevitable sequence from these premises, that the judgment must be reversed and the cause remanded.