8 S.D. 338 | S.D. | 1896
This was a bastardy proceeding in which a verdict and judgment were rendered for the state, and the defendant appeals.
At the opening of the trial, the defendant objected to the ■introduction of any evidence, upon the ground that the act of 1893, being Chap. 24, Sess. Laws 1893, was unconstitutional, in that it purported to confer jurisdiction upon county courts in cases where the debt, damage, or claim involved exceeded $1,000. The constitutionality of that law was fully considered by this court in State v. Scott, 65 N. W. 31, and the conclusion reached that it was not in conflict with the state constitution. The same question was presented in State v. Bunker, Id. 33, in which the ruling of this court was the same. Appellant’s objection was therefore properly overruled.
The appellant, in his ninth instruction requested, raises the further point that, the law having been passed subsequent to his intercourse with Kate Earl, the mother of the child, the law of 1893 was ex post facto as to him. The same question was raised and decided in State v. Bunker, supra. Ruled by that decision, the court below committed no error in refusing the instruction requested.
It is further contended by appellant that the court erred in instructing the jury that the state was only required to establish the fact that the appellant was the father of the child by a preponderance of the evidence. This precise question was also decided in State v. Bunker, supra, adversely to the contention of the appellant. Under the ruling in that case, the court below committed no error in giving that instruction.
On the trial, Kate Earl, the mother of the illegitimate child, was examined as a witness on the part of the plaintiff, and on cross-examination she was asked the following question: “Do you remember of having a conversation with Mrs. Hughes, the stepmother of appellant, at her home, about the 24th day of July, 1893, regarding this matter?” The abstract shows that the question was objected to, the objection sustained, anfl ex
The appellant further contends that the court erred in. striking out the answer to the following question, propounded to the witness Kate Earl: “Q. He is your cousin, is he not?” —referring to the defendant and appellant. The answer was, “Yes, sir.” Ordinarily it is not the proper practice to strike out an answer responsive to the question when the question has not been objected to. Wendt v. Railway Co ,' 4 S. D. 476, 57 N. W. 226. The objection in such case should be made to the question, if improper, and a motion to strike out the answer is not permissible. But in this case we do not deem the question or answer material, and therefore striking out the answer was not reversible error.
It is further contended by appellant that the court erred in excluding the following question propounded to Mrs. Isaac Hughes, after she had stated that she had a conversation with Kate Earl, about July 24th: “Q. I wish you would detail to the jury in your own language the conversation that took place between you and Katie at the time you have mentioned, regarding this child and its parentage.” To this question the state’s attorney interposed the following objection: “Objected to, for the reason that no foundation has been laid for impeaching testimony.” The objection was sustained, and exception taken. This court will presume that the trial court ruled correctly, unless it affirmatively appears from the record that its ruling was erroneous. This the record fails to show. While the witness Kate Earl was asked the general question, in effect, as to what conversation she had with Mrs. Hughes on or about
We have considered all the assignments of error discussed by the appellant’s counsel in their brief, and those not discussed will be considered waived. Finding no error in the record, the judgment of the county courtis affirmed. For the reasons stated in the case of State v. Bunker, supra, the record in this case is ordered to be remitted to the circuit court of Davi-son county, for further proceedings according to law.