17 Minn. 72 | Minn. | 1871
By the Court.
This indictment is not open to the objections urged upon the demurrer.
It charges a public offense, viz: the common law misdemeanor of keeping a common gaming house, and though it alleges the same to be “ feloniously,” as well as unlawfully done, and against the form of the statute, these allegations may be rejected as surplusage, and the indictment will then be good for a nuisance at common law
Com. vs. Squire, 1 Met. 258; Com. vs. Shattuck, 4 Cush. 143; Rex vs. Rogier, 2 Dowl. & Ryl. 43; 1 Barnwell & Cresswell 272; Archbold Cr. Pl. 119.
The cases cited by plaintiff in error to the point, that the names of the players should be stated, or that they were unknown, were of indictments on statutes against offenses other than the common law misdemeanor in question; while counts framed under provisions against similar misdemeanors, as keeping a room or building, &c., to be used and occupied for
The offense of keeping a common gaming house is not within Gen. Stat. ch. 99, sec. 9., nor is this offense exclusively within the jurisdiction of the city justice.
His jurisdiction is exclusive as to the breach of any ordinance, (Laws of 1868, Act of March 6th, ch. 3, sec. 11; p. 259, Sp. Laws of 1870, sec. 5,) not of offenses at common law.
The common council, by sec. 3 of said act of March 6th, 1863, have authority to prohibit gaming and playing cards, dice, and other games of chance.
The statute cannot be construed into an abrogation or suspension of the common law within the city of St. Paul. 1 Bishop Cr. Law, § 197, 8, 9, 200.
And though, in pursuance of the authority thus given, the common council has passed ordinances prohibiting gambling, and providing for the punishment of any one who shall keep a house or place for the purpose of gambling (Ch. and Ordinance of St. Paul, p. 298,) such affirmative legislation in no way supersedes the common law against keeping a common gaming house. 1 Bishop’s Cr. L. supra.
It cannot be said, as is held' in some states, that the ordinance repeals by implication the common law, as covering the whole ground occupied by the latter.
The offender at common law is prosecuted by indictment, and punishable by fine and imprisonment.
Under the ordinance he is prosecuted by complaint in the name of the city before the justice, and punishable by fine
But by the city charter, its ordinances, in so far as they are repugnant to or inconsistent with the constitution or laws, have not the force of law.
The ordinance could not, therefore, have the effect of thus repealing the common law, for it would be a nullity in so far as it was inconsistent therewith.
Judgment must be entered affirming the judgment of the district court, and directing its sentence to be executed.
