Case ID: cal_5/html/0418-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Heydenfeldt, J., delivered the opinion of the Court.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

CHARLES QUIGLEY, Appellant, v WILLIAM R. GORHAM, Sheriff, Respondent.
    The words of a statute must be interpreted according to their common acceptation.
    In the Act which exempts certain articles from execution, the term “wagon” is intended to mean a common vehicle for the transportation of goods, wares, and merchandize.
    A hackney coach used for (he conveyance of passengers is a different article, and does not come within the equity or litoral meaning of the Act.
    Appeal from the District Court of the Twelfth Judicial District, San Francisco County.
    
      Haights & Gary, for Appellant.
    Cited Dwarris on Statutes, 702, 729. 4 Burr, 471. 5 Denio, 119. 6 How. Prac. R., 20.
    
      F. M. Pixley and John V. Wattson, for Respondent.
    Argued, that the statute should be construed liberally, and cited Wheeler v. Cropsey, 5 How. Pr. R., 288. Patten v. Smith, 4 Conn., 450. 11 Illinois, 584. Lowler v. LeRoy, 2 Sanf., 217.
   Heydenfeldt, J., delivered the opinion of the Court.

Murray, C. J., concurred.

The words of a statute must be interpreted according to their common acceptation. In the Act which exempts certain articles from execution, the term “ wagon” is intended to mean a common vehicle for the transportation of goods, wares, and merchandize of all descriptions. A hackney coach used for the conveyance of passengers is a different article, and does not come within the equity or literal meaning of the Act.

Judgment reversed, and canse remanded;