Case Name: The State ex rel. W. M. Hunter vs. R. L. Capers
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1885-10
Citations: 37 La. Ann. 747
Docket Number: No. 145
Parties: The State ex rel. W. M. Hunter vs. R. L. Capers.
Judges: 
Reporter: Louisiana Annual Reports
Volume: 37
Pages: 747–751

Head Matter:
No. 145.
The State ex rel. W. M. Hunter vs. R. L. Capers.
In a contest for the office of justice of tlie peace, nnder the Intrusion into Office Act, two commissions had issued, one to each of the litigants. In the last commission there was recital that the first commission had issued in error. Held, that the second commission was the higher authority, and the one holding it had a prima facie right to the office.
APPEAL from the Tenth District Court, Parish of Red River. Mall, J.
John G. Pugh, District Attorney, and James P. Pierson for the Relator:
"When the question involved is the title to an office, and on the trial two commissions are presented, one hy each of the claimants, aud the question of right depends solely and exclusively upon the commissions, the latest in date will be presumed to confer the better right. Manning’s IT. Cases, p. 75; 16 A. 438; 19 A. 210.
L. B. Watlcins and 8. A. Hull for Defendant and Appellant:
1. An election commission signed bv the Governor is prima facie evidence until rebutted and set aside, after a contest, according to law. Collin vs. Knoblock, 25 Ann. 264; State ex rel. Ford vs. Miltenberger, 33 Ann 266; State ex rel. Collins vs. Jumel, 30 Ann. 861; State ex'rel. Yienne vs. Hyams, 12 Ann. 719; sec. 54 of Act 100 of 1870.
2. The intrusion-into-office law only contemplates cases in which the parties hold adverse muniments of title importing right in the holder—to cases where one of the litigants claims by a certificate of election, and the other by appointment, exhibiting his commission. Collin vs. Knoblock. 25 Ann. 264; State ex rel. Ford vs. Miltenberger, 33 Ann. 265; State ex rel. Bonner vs. Lynch, 25 Ann. 267.
3. In the absence of any statutory authorization, the courts are without jurisdiction ratio materice to entertain the case of a contested election, and then only to the extent and in the manner provided. State vs. Judge, 13 Ann. 89; Ford vs. Miltenberger, 33 Ann. 267; B. S. secs. 1491, 1421; sec. 1 of Act No. 24 of 1877; Belden vs. Sherburne, 27 Ann. 305.
4. The elective commission of defendant has date 22d of May, 1884, and thereunder he took the oath of office on the 29th of May, 1884, and had same filed iu the office of the Secretary of State on the 14ih of June, 1884.
Defendant was his own predecessor.
On the 17th of June, 1884, a like commission was issued to relator, and on the 27th of June, 1884, he was qualified.
Plaintiff’s petition admits defendant’s possession on the-November, 1884, when filed.
Defendant’s commission was attested by Will A, Strong, Secretary of State; while that of relator is attested by Oscar Arroyo, Secretary of State. Defendant was qualified before L. M. Howard, clerk; but relator was sworn by F. B. Williams, clerk.
Between the date of defendant’s qualification and the issuance of relator’s commission, a change had taken place in the State government, and a new one had been inaugurated. Secs. 39 and 40 of Act 58 of 1877.
Prior to the issuance of relator’s commission, the Secretary of State, Will A. Strong, and the Governor.had performed and completed the duties required of them by statute and were, quoad the general election of 1884, functus officii. State ex rel. Barbin vs. Black-man, 32 Ann. 584; State ex rel. Blackman vs. Secretary, 32 Ann. 11; Cooley’s Const. Lim., pp. 621, 622, and note.
Oscar Arroyo, Secretary of State, successor to Will A. Strong, was without authority to alter his predecessor’s promulgation of returns.
5. Which of the two commissions is the better evidence of title 1
delator's counsel relies on the case of Hunter vs. Blackman, Manning’s TJhreported Cases, p. 75, wherein the court held, that “if the question depended solely upon the two commissions, * ■* in the absence of proof to tbe contrary, the presumption is in favor of that bearing the latest date.” 16 Ann 438; 19 Ann. 210.
That opinion is in direct conflict with that in State ex rel. Ard. vs. Bankston, 23 Ann. 375, in which, under a similar state of facts, the contrary presumption wrs announced.
The two decisions cited in thformer opinion do not bear it out. These cases are to the effect that when the Governor is given the authority by statute to appoint an officer and remove him from office and appoint another, there is a legal presumption that the Governor has done Ms duty, and the last commission will be maintained in the absence of adverse proof. Dubuc vs. Toss, 19 Ann. 211; State ex rel. Bichardson vs. Graham, 25 Ann.73; State exrel. Attorney General vs. Doherty, 25 Ann. 119; State ex rel. Doyris m Yoist, 25 Ann 396; State ex rel. Webber vs. Fisher, 26 Ann. 537.
The doctrine announced in Hunter vs. Blackman goes no further; it does not extend to elective commissions issued by the Governor.
In Kahn and Bigart as. Sippili, 35 Ann. 1040, this court says, “the decision rested on another and different (point and the point passed upon in the ruling or dictum invoked * * was not nesessary to a decision of the case under consideration. Hence, we conclude that the dictum is not binding in jurisprudence. Cooley Const. Lim., pp. 621, 622 and notes.
6. The incumbent of a constitutional office, holding an elective commission from the Governor, cannot be removed and another commissioned, until his commission has been annulled and set aside in some judicial proceeding, contradictorily with him. State ex rel. Attorney General vs. Wharton, 25 Ann. ll; State of Louisiana vs. Kteider, 21 Ann. 482; State ex rel. Downes vs. Towne, 21 Ann. 491.
7. The elective commission of a constitutional officer is conclusive of the fact of his election until set aside in a contest according to law. State ex rel. Leonard vs. Jaclcson, 27 Ann. 541; sec. 54 of Act Ho. 100 of 1870 ; sec. 3 of Act. Wo 1 of 1877.
8. Vacancies can only be filled when the power to do so is expressly conferred by tbe authority on which this power is couferred, and in the manner provided by the Constitution and the law. State ex rel. Attorney General vs. Eareshide, 32 Ann. 937.
9. In issuing elective commissions the Governor acts ministerially, and only performs a duty required by the election law. Sec. 40 of Act Ho. 58 of 1877.
He can exercise no judicial power or function. Art. 80 of Const.
He cannot exercise any power or authority over elections by the people.
He “ shall have power to fill vacancies that happen.” Art. 69 of Const.
He has no authority to consider or weigh, any evidence touching the votes oí* election returns. “Any irregularities in the elections resulting from fraud, violence or any other cause are to be corrected * * * by the proper judicial triMmals.” Collin vs. Knobioch, 25 Ann. 264; State ex rel. Barbin vs. Secretary of State, 32 Ann. 579; State ox rel. Blackman vs. Secretary of State, 32 Ann. 173.
10. In support of the doctrine announced in State ex rel. Ard vs. Bankston, 23 Ann. 376, we cite: State ex rel. Edmonson vs. McHeely, 24 Ann. 19; State ex rel. Wittguestein vs. Herron, 24 Ann. 432; State ex rel. Downs vs. Towns, 21 Ann. 490 ; State ex rel. Claiborne vs. Parlange, 26 Ann. 458; State ex rel. Cooper vs. Schumaker, 27 Ann. 332 ; State ex rel. Leonard vs Jackson, 27 Ann. 541; State ex rel. Lisso vs. Peck, 30 Ann. 251; State ex rel. Attorney General vs. Eareshide, 32 Ann. 934,

Opinion:
The opinion of the Court was delivered by
Todd, J.
This ease presents a contest for the office of justice of the peace of the Second ward of the parish of Red River, under the Intrusion into Office Act, being Act 56 of 1868.
There is a motion to dismiss the appeal for want of jurisdiction in this Court, ratlone materice. The relator avers that the office is worth more than five hundred dollars, and the defendant that its value exceeds two thousand dollars.
Talcing the pleadings as the test, without any suggestion that the estimate made therein is fictitious, or any reason to so conclude, we think this Court has jurisdiction, and the motion to dismiss is denied. 33 Ann. 1051.