Court Opinion

ID: 8816877
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-11-26 15:21:02.882116+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:04:30.292870
License: Public Domain

GARLAND, Circuit Judge.
[1] This is an appeal from a decree entered in the above-entitled action, reading as follows:
“Ordered, adjudged, and decreed as follows: That the original bill and amended and supplemental bill are hereby dismissed for want of jurisdiction of this court.”
The case was argued and submitted to this court at the present term thereof. Nothing was said in the briefs or oral arguments of counsel concerning the jurisdiction of the court to hear the appeal. We must, however, have jurisdiction to hear the appeal, or we can do nothing except to dismiss the same; therefore it becomes our duty to consider the question of jurisdiction on our own motion.
[2] The record shows that the trial court in its opinion discussed two questions: (1) Whether or not the suit was one where the matter in controversy exceeded, exclusive of interest and costs, the sum or value of $3,000. This question was decided in favor of the defendant. (2) Whether or not the subject-matter of the suit was of equitable cognizance. This question was also decided in favor of the defendant. When the trial court came to enter its judgment, it did not dismiss tlie complaint for want of equity, or on the merits, but entered a decree as above set forth.
A decree dismissing the complaint for want of equity would be re-viewab'le here, as the question of jurisdiction in such a case would not be a question of jurisdiction within the meaning of section 238, Judicial Code (Comp. St. § 1215); but such a decree was not entered. We must accept the decree as entered, namely, that the original bill and amended and supplemental bill were dismissed for want of jurisdiction of the trial court. In such a case, under section 238, supra, the question of jurisdiction alone should be certified to the Supreme Court from the court below for decision. Under section 128 of the Judicial Code (section 1120), this court has no jurisdiction in such a case. Great Northern Ry. Co. v. Blaine County, Nebraska, et al., 252 Fed. 548, 164 C. C. A. 464, wherein this court decided that, where a suit was dismissed by the District Court solely for want of - jurisdiction over the subject-matter, this court was without jurisdiction to review such decree. Many cases are cited by this court in support of the position here taken.
Appeal dismissed.