Sullivan v. Speights

12 S.C. 561 | S.C. | 1879

The opinion was delivered

Per Curiam.

This is a motion to dismiss the appeal upon the ground that the exceptions were not furnished to the presiding judge within the time prescribed by law.

It appears from the motion papers, and the fact does not seem to be controverted, that no exceptions were furnished to the pre*562siding judge until after the expiration of ten days from the rising of the court at which the case was tried; and the only question is as to the proper construction of the act entitled An act to alter and amend the law in relation to appeals from the Circuit Court to the Supreme Court,” approved December 19th, 1878. 16 Stat 698.

This question has been disposed of by the decision rendered in the case of Rogers v. Nash, in which it was held that a failure to furnish the presiding judge with a copy of the exceptions within ten days after the rising of the court at which the case was tried, operated as a waiver of the appeal.

It was argued, however, that the service of the exceptions in-this case was made by mail, and that by Section 427 of the code, when that mode of service is adopted, the time is enlarged to-double the time required in cases of personal service. A sufficient answer to this is, that the act of December 19th, 1878, does-not purport to be an amendment of the code, and, therefore, that provision of the code cannot be regarded as affecting the provisions of the act now under consideration. In addition to this, however, we may say that the provision of the code by which the time is doubled in case of service by mail, is intended for the benefit of the party upon whom the service is made, and not for the benefit 'of the party mahing the service. For while there is good reason for extending the time within which any act is to be done by a party who has been, served by mail after such service, there is no reason for such extension in favor of one who adopts that mode of serving another, inasmuch as the service is complete from the time the paper to be served is deposited in the post-office, addressed to the person upon whom it is to be served,, at the place of his residence, with the postage paid. Code, § 426.

The motion to dismiss the appeal is granted.

Motion granted.

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