Court Opinion

ID: 9809218
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 21:04:22.364926+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:25:31.468176
License: Public Domain

Connor, J.,
concurring: I think that the decisiops of the court, upon the authority of which the conclusion in this case is based, are not in accord with the correct construction of the language of the Constitution. They fail to give due force to the wordsj “Wherein the value of the property in controversy does not exceed fifty dollars.” If that limitation be abandoned, I cannot see why any action in tort, wherein the “amount demanded,” which is said to be the standard, does not exceed fifty dollars, may not be brought within the jurisdiction of a justice of the peace. The framers of the Constitution evidently intended to make a distinction between the limitation placed upon jurisdiction in actions founded upon contract, wherein the “sum demanded” is made the test, and those arising out of tort by making the “value of the property in controversy” the test. If the power given the Legislature to confer jurisdiction “in other civil actions wherein the value of the property in controversy does not exceed fifty dollars,” which was exercised in strict accordance with, and the exact language of, the Constitution, had been adhered to, the justice would have had jurisdiction to try actions in the nature of detinue and replevin, involving title *455to personal property witbin tbe value fixed. It has always been the theory of the law that a jury was peculiarly fitted to assess damages — hence the limitation put upon the jurisdiction of justices. I do not care to discuss the question further than to say that my concurrence is based entirely upon the doctrine of stare decisis. I think it probable that the logical result of the decided cases will some day compel the court to re-examine the question and return to the standard fixed by the organic law. In the light of the decisions of this court His Honor ruled correctly.
Walker, J., concurs in concurring opinion.