Case Name: James Cahill vs. Osmond C. Goodell
Court: Supreme Court of Rhode Island
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Decision Date: 1898-04-26
Citations: 20 R.I. 481
Docket Number: 
Parties: James Cahill vs. Osmond C. Goodell.
Judges: Present : Stiness, Rogers and Douglas, JJ.
Reporter: Rhode Island Reports
Volume: 20
Pages: 481–482

Head Matter:
James Cahill vs. Osmond C. Goodell.
PROVIDENCE
APRIL 26, 1898.
Present : Stiness, Rogers and Douglas, JJ.
A writ of replevin issued from one District Court cannot be made returnable to another District Court.
A special statute is not affected by the enactment of a general provision upon the same subject unless it clearly appears that the intention of the legislature was to modify the special provision.
Replevin.
Heard on defendant’s exceptions to the ruling of a District Court on plea to the jurisdiction.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
We think the plea to the jurisdiction should have been sustained. According to the well-established rule of construction that a special statute is not affected by the enactment of a general provision upon the same subject, unless it clearly appears that the intention of the legislature was to modify the special provision, we must hold that section 21 of chapter 252 and section 12 of chapter 272 of the General Laws, providing that writs of replevin in certain cases may be issued by District Courts, should be read by way of exception to the provisions of section 8 of chapter 252, which provides that writs issued by one District Court may be made returnable in any other.
John C. Quinn, for plaintiff.
George B. Macleod, for defendant.