Court Opinion

ID: 4726957
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-08-12 02:52:32.667203+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:07:53.080982
License: Public Domain

ON PETITION POE BE-HEABINGt.
Hoyt, J. —
Respondent has filed an elaborate petition for a rehearing, and we have given it a careful consideration. The question decided went to the jurisdiction of the court, and a decision thereof could not be avoided, hence the rule that courts will not usually decide a case upon a question not raised in the briefs, does not apply.
It is possible that provisions similar to the one held inoperative by this court have been upheld in courts of last resort in some of the states. The petition has not satisfied us that such is the fact, and even if it was, it would not change our opinion as expressed in the case of Newhouse v. Simino, 3 Wash. 648 (29 Pac. Rep. 263). It seems to us clear that the application of the provision under consideration might result in the land in controversy being awarded to one not an occupant within the meaning of the act of congress upon the subject. In the case at bar the land may have been awarded to the rightful claimant, but the statute cannot be construed in the light of the circumstances of a particular case. If, in any case, it would result in a defeat of the will of congress it is void.
The petition must be denied.
Andebs, O. J., and Dunbab, Scott and Stiles, JJ,, concur.