Court Opinion

ID: 8140282
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-09 20:01:59.475218+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:39:31.445671
License: Public Domain

To this order
Mr. Justice DANIEL
dissents. It is his opinion, that the case is not presented to this court between such parties in interest as can give jurisdiction to this court. The only legitimate. ground of jurisdiction in this case, under the Constitution, would be the fact of such a direct interest or right on the part of Pennsylvania as a State as would authorize her to become a party in this controversy. The interest of the State of Pennsylvania in this case, if indeed any such is shown, is that which she may have in the competition which may or which does exist between works of public improvement ’erected by herself, and rival works erected by other States within their own territory. No direct interest on the part of the State of Pennsylvania is shown in the vessels or steamboats which navigate the rivers Ohio and Mississippi, nor in any question connected with the rights of that State separate and apart from the individual interests of the owners of steamboats, or other private citizens of the State of Pennsylvania. Again, the. question of nuisance or. ho nuisance is one proper for the cognizance of a court of law, to be determined by a jury upon the testimony of witnesses confronted and cross-examined before a jury in open court, and under its supervision. In this view of the question, it would seem to be irregular to determine it upon affidavits and by a court of equity, and without the interposition of a'jury, and in the absence of the witnesses. The • order now made in. this cause seeming to lead to the latter mode of settling the question of nuisance, it is therefore hereby formally objected' to.