Court Opinion

ID: 9865347
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-25 16:32:25.724594+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:38:30.547475
License: Public Domain

*66Mr. Chief Justice Adams,
dissenting.
I am unable to agree with the opinion and therefore must respectfully dissent. One of the most enervating features of the whole matter is the apparent notion that a “Plea in Bar” can barricade the justices of the Supreme Court of this state out of the court room to the extent of preventing them from having any voice in construing one of the most, if not the most, far reaching acts of public legislation ever passed by our General Assembly. It is no answer to say that even a litigant can thus interfere with the performance of our sacred duty, although we might ultimately conclude to decide against him.
I do not agree with either the reasoning’ or conclusions in Boynton v. Moffat Tunnel Improvement Dist., 57 Fed. (2d) 772, extensively quoted in the main opinion. It does not divert my attention from section 10, chapter 2, Laws 1922 of the Moffat Tunnel Act, which expressly limits the issuance of authorized bonds in an amount “not exceeding” the sum of $6,720,000. (The italics are mine.) I do not conceive that a liberality of construction authorized by the statute means a prodigality of construction beyond the express limitation of the act. I am firmly convinced that supplemental bonds issued in excess thereof are merely an unwarranted “supplement” to the statute, and are consequently void. I do not, however, presume to indulge in any personal criticism of the members of this court or of any other court for expressing their convictions to the contrary.
I should be glad to give further reasons for my dissent, but shall not attempt it at this time; I cannot do justice to the subject in a line. In view of the manifest importance of the case and the imperative necessity for a speedy determination, we must forego further discussion, so that the opinion may be released. Although the parties did not bring the cause to final issue in this court until September 1, 1932, we advanced it on our calendar and it was orally argued before us on September 19th. *67The issues are long and complicated, but notwithstanding this, the matter has had the full and prompt consideration of every member of this court.
I think the case should have been decided on its merits, i. e., the question of the validity of the supplemental bonds, but since the operation of the main opinion will be to hold them good without even an independent discussion of the statute under which they are supposed to have been issued, it is obvious that there is nothing further on that score in the opinion that calls for an answer.
I am authorized to say that Mr. Justice Alter agrees with me in this dissent.