Case ID: ind_51/html/0383-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Biddle, C. J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

The Logansport, Crawfordsville and South-Western Railroad Co. v. Groniger.
    Mandate. —Jttsiice oftJie Peace. — Summons. — An affidavit in support of a motion for a writ of mandate to compel a justice of the peace to issue a summons in a civil action must allege that the justice is not related by blood or marriage to either party.
    From the Carroll Circuit Court.
    
      R. B. F. Pierce and Daily & Pollard, for appellant-.
    
      J. p[. Qould, for appellee.
   Biddle, C. J.

Motion for a writ of mandate by the appellant against the appellee, who was a justice of the peace, to compel him to issue a summons against David C. Plank, on a cause of action filed before him in favor of the appellant.

• The affidavit on which the motion was grounded was demurred to by the appellee, for want of sufficient facts alleged, and the demurrer sustained. Judgment for appellee on demurrer, and appeal by'appellant.

The affidavit does not show that the justice was not “ related by blood or marriage to either party.” 2 G. & H. 579, sec. 10.

We think, for this omission, the affidavit was insufficient.

The same section (10, supra) which gives jurisdiction to justices of the peace in civil cases denies it when the justice is related by blood or marriage to either party. The affidavit, in cases of this kind, should have negatived this relation. One statutory writ of mandate takes the place of the common laiv writ of mandamus, which was a prerogative writ, and should not be granted except on a clear case made and when there is no other adequate remedy. Gondit v. The Board, etc., 25 Ind. 422; Irwin v. Lee, 34 Ind. 319; Shelby v. Hoffman, 7 Ohio St. 450.

The demurrer to the affidavit was properly sustained.

The judgment is affirmed, with costs.