137 U. S. 507-528

Notes on U. S. Reports.

1076

strom, 93 Mich. 259, 261, 53 N. W. 167, 168, 16 L. R. A. 725, 726, dissenting opinion, majority, holding supra.

Witnesses.- Polygamy does not come within exception making wife competent witness, where crime committed against her, p. 506. Approved in People v. Quanstrom, 93 Mich. 259, 53 N. W. 167, 16 L. R. A. 725, and In re Mayfield, 141 U. S. 113, 35 L. 637, 11 S. Ct. 940, arguendo.

Distinguished in Dill v. People, 19 Colo. 480, 41 Am. St. Rep. 263, 36 Fac. 233, holding supra; Jordan v. State, 142 Ind. 426, 41 N. E. 819, supra; State v. Chambers, 87 Iowa, 4, 43 Am. St. Rep. 351, 53 N. W. 1091, incest with step-daughter is crime against wife; People ▼. Quanstrom, 93 Mich. 261, 53 N. W. 168, 16 L. R. A. 726, dissenting opinion, majority holding supra.

137 U. S. 507-521, 34 L. 747, CHICAGO, ETC., RY. v. ARTERY. Master and servant.- Section-hand is within Iowa code, making railroad liable for fellow servant's negligence, p. 515.

Reaffirmed in Larson v. Illinois, etc., Ry., 91 Iowa, 83, 86, 58 N. W. 1077. Followed in Akeson v. Chicago, etc., Ry., 106 Iowa, 60, 75 N. W. 678, filling tenders is engaging in use and operation of road. Distinguished in Pearson v. Chicago, etc., Ry., 47 Minn. 11, 49 N. W. 303, loading railroad iron is not work connected with use and operation of road.

Witness sought to be impeached must first have his attention called to time, etc., of contradictory statement, p. 519.

Reaffirmed in Mattox v. United States, 156 U. S. 246, 39 L. 412, 15 S. Ct. 341. Approved in Hickory v. United States, 151 U. S. 309, 38 L. 174, 14 S. Ct. 336, proof of contradictory statements of one's own witness, is generally inadmissible.

Trial. Witness may be cross-examined as to his written statement, without calling person to whom made, p. 519.

Approved in Fordyce v. Hardin, 54 Ark. 556, 16 S. W. 576, value fixed in one's assessment list may be used against him.

137 U. S. 521-528, 34 L. 780, WELLFORD v. SNYDER. Wills.- Bequest of personalty to be held in trust for daughter vests absolute title disposable by her will, p. 526.

Reaffirmed in Martin v. Fort, 83 Fed. 24, 54 U. S. App. 327. Approved in Patton v. Ludington, 103 Wis. 648, 74 Am. St. Rep. 919, 79 N. W. 1079, law favors vested rather than contingent bequests; Cotter v. Couch, 141 U. S. 311, 35 L. 730, 11 S. Ct. 1009, arguendo. Wills. Legacy in trust for daughter during life, then to her issue, or sisters, confers absolute title on unmarried daughter, p.

527.

Approved in Cooksey v. Hill, - Ky., 50 S. W. 238, construing devise to daughter with limitations over, as conditional fee.

1077

Notes on U. S. Reports.

137 U. S. 528-552

137 U. S. 528-542, 34 L. 767, ST. PAUL, ETC., RY. v. PHELPS. Statutes.- Clear letter of law is not to be disregarded in favor of alleged settled policy of government, p. 536.

Reaffirmed in City v. Detroit, etc., Ry., 56 Fed. 907. Approved in The Eclipse, 53 Fed. 279, contemporaneous construction by courts and department is controlling; Knox County v. Morton, 68 Fed. 789, 32 U. S. App. 513, Shreve v. Cheesman, 69 Fed. 789, 32 U. S. App. 676, St. Paul, etc., Ry. v. Sage, 71 Fed. 47, 36 U. S. App. 340, Barber, etc., Pav. Co. v. Denver, 72 Fed. 345, 36 U. S. App. 499, and Pearsall v. Great Northern Ry., 73 Fed. 942, statute should be held to mean what it plainly expresses; The J. D. Peters, 78 Fed. 375, ruling of secretary of department is not conclusive.

Public lands.- Railroad aid land grant to Minnesota territory not limited to lands afterwards within State, p. 535.

Public lands.-Aided railroad in territory may obtain full quota of lands though part within a subsequent State, p. 538. Public lands.- Railroad grant is in præsenti, and takes effect upon location as of date of grant, p. 541.

Public lands.- Part of railroad grant within Indian reservation passed on extinguishment of Indian title, p. 541.

137 U. S. 542-552, 34 L. 772, MERRITT v. CAMERON.

Customs duties on goods in bonded warehouse may be paid at any time after entry, p. 551.

Reaffirmed in Cadwalader v. Partridge, 137 U. S. 555, 34 L. 784, 11 S. Ct. 182. Approved in Burr v. United States, 66 Fed. 742, liquidation is assessment and must be by laws then in force, regardless of when goods were imported or withdrawn.

Customs duties.- Ten days allowed for protest date from ascertainment and liquidation of duty, p. 551.

Reaffirmed in Cadwalader v. Partridge, 137 U. S. 555, 34 L. 784, 11 S. Ct. 182, and Saltonstall v. Russell, 152 U. S. 633, 38 L. 578, 14 S. Ct. 735. Approved in Barney v. Rickard, 157 U. S. 366, 39 L. 735, 15 S. Ct. 648, protest after deposit of money and receipt of goods, but before liquidation, is too late; John Shillito Co. v. M'Clung, 45 Fed. 780, arguendo, collector not estopped from setting up ninety-day limitation because he failed to notify importer of disposition of appeal.

Statutes. Departmental regulation, even of long standing, cannot repeal or control clear statute, p. 552.

Reaffirmed in Cadwalader v. Partridge, 137 U. S. 555, 34 L. 784, 11 S. Ct. 182. Approved in The Eclipse, 53 Fed. 279, construction by secretary for six years is controlling in case of doubt; Haynes ▼. Brewster, 46 Fed. 476, arguendo, stipulation by subordinate cannot relieve importer from protest and appeal; M'Fadden

137 U. S. 553-567

Notes on U. S. Reports.

1078

Mountain View Min., etc., Co., 87 Fed. 156, and Hartman v. Warren, 76 Fed. 162, 40 U. S. App. 245, construction of land department cannot prevail against a clear statute; The J. D. Peters, 78 Fed. 375, arguendo, contemporaneous construction by department is controlling only in cases of ambiguity.

137 U. S. 553-555, 34 L. 783, CADWALADER v. PARTRIDGE. Customs duties.- Ten days for protest run from ascertainment and liquidation; collector's decision thereafter final, p. 555.

Approved in Barney v. Rickard, 157 U. S. 366, 39 L. 735, 15 S Ct. 648, protest after deposit of money and receipt of goods, but before liquidation, is too late.

Customs duties. Reversal of prior erroneous ruling cannot aid Importer paying without protest, p. 555.

137 U. S. 556-567, 34 L. 776, MACKALL v. CASILEAR.

Cancellation of deed will not be decreed by equity where deed void on its face, p. 564.

Compromise satisfied by deed from father to son is not voidable because deed later defeated by his brothers and sisters, p. 566. Equity. Doctrine of laches rests upon discouragement of stale demands and peace of society, p. 566.

Approved in St. Paul, etc., Ry. v. Sage, 49 Fed. 324, 4 U. S. App. 160, conflicting railroad grants; Lemoine v. Dunklin Co., 51 Fed. 402, 10 U. S. App. 227, delay of twenty-two years after repudiating trust of county in swamp lands constitutes laches; Naddo v. Bardon, 51 Fed. 498, 4 U. S. App. 642, it is laches to delay ten years after repudiation of trust; Kemp v. Nickerson, 66 Fed. 683, bill against executor seeking distribution of estate after twenty-three years, is stale; Post v. Beacon, etc., Electrical Co., 89 Fed. 4, 50 U. S. App. 409, equitable estoppel held analogous to laches and may be assigned on terms or sua sponte; Taylor v. Whitney, 56 Minn. 390, 57 N. W. 938, claim thirty years old is stale; Wilson v. St. Louis, etc., Ry., 120 Mo. 57, 25 S. W. 529, suit against stockholders for subscription four years after dissolution is stale; Loomis ▼. Rosenthal, 34 Or. 601, 57 Pac. 60, heirs cannot attack a sale after fifteen years, when property has advanced; Bruner v. Finley, 187 Pa. St. 407, 41 Atl. 341, suit fifteen years after repudiation of trust is stale; Kelly v. Green Bay, etc., R. Co., 80 Wis. 335, 50 N. W. 189, equity will, of its own motion, refuse relief; Rogers v. Van Nortwick, 87 Wis. 429, 58 N. W. 762, delay of three years to compel transfer of stock which has appreciated is stale.

Equity will not aid claim after lapse of time, death of witnesses, and deliberate delay, p. 566.

Reaffirmed in Hammond v. Hopkins, 143 U. S. 250, 36 L. 145, 12 S. Ct. 427, Melms v. Pabst Brewing Co., 93 Wis. 174, 57 Am. St

1079

Notes on U. S. Reports.

137 U. S. 568-577

Rep. 912, 66 N. W. 524. Followed in Boone Co. v. Burlington, etc., R. R., 139 U. S. 693, 35 L. 323, 11 S. Ct. 690, laches apply to a county attacking a decree for fraud; Hoyt v. Latham, 143 U. S. 567, 36 L. 265, 12 S. Ct. 573, rule is especially applicable where there is delay to see if property will advance; Whitney v. Fox, 166 U. S. 648, 41 L. 1149, 17 S. Ct. 717, equity will not tolerate delay till principal witness becomes impaired by disease; Holladay v. Land, etc., Imp. Co., 57 Fed. 792, 18 U. S. App. 308, partnership settlement held conclusive after twenty-four years.

Distinguished in Prewitt v. Bunch, 101 Tenn. 740, 50 S. W. 753, delay of husband for eight years to assert rights held excusable where to promote family harmony.

Equity.- Mere assertion of claim, unaccompanied by any effective action, cannot keep it alive, p. 567.

Reaffirmed in Gildersleeve v. New Mexico Min. Co., 161 U. S. 579, 40 L. 814, 16 S. Ct. 665, Penn, etc., Life Ins. Co. v. Austin, 168 U. S. 697, 42 L. 631, 18 S. Ct. 228, Van Buren v. Stocking, 88 Mich. 252, 49 N. W. 52.

137 U. S. 568-576, 34 L. 784, BALTIMORE, ETC., R. R. v. FIFTH BAPTIST CHURCH.

Corporation, though only de facto, may sue, in tort or contract, any one other than the State, p. 572.

Pleadings.- Misnomer of corporation plaintiff is pleadable only in abatement and waived by plea to merits, p. 572.

Approved in Michigan Ins. Bank v. Eldred, 143 U. S. 300, 36 L. 164, 12 S. Ct. 452, denial of incorporation is plea in bar and is waived by answer to merits; Maryland Tube Works v. West End Imp. Co., 87 Md. 215, 30 Atl. 623, 39 L. R. A. 814, legal existence of corporation is always open to inquiry.

Trial. Federal trial judge may express opinion on facts to Jury where full question ultimately submitted, p. 574.

Reaffirmed in Doyle v. Union Pac. Ry., 147 U. S. 430, 37 L. 230, 13 S. Ct. 340, and Wiborg v. United States, 163 U. S. 656, 41 L. 298, 16 S. Ct. 1136.

Judgment on continuing nuisance cannot bar later action or diminish damages, p. 575.

Cited in Berlin v. Thompson, 61 Mo. App. 243, general damages may be recovered upon mere proof of nuisance; Evans v. Chicago, etc., R. Co., 86 Wis. 605, 39 Am. St. Rep. 911, 57 N. W. 356, railway which obstructs access to a highway is subject to damages.

Trial- Defendant's remedy for excessive damages is motion for new trial p. 576.

137 U. S. 576-577, 34 L. 788, LLOYD v. McWILLIAMS. Appeal from Circuit Court trial without jury must be affirmed t no findings and court had jurisdiction, p. 577.

187 U. 8. 577-604

Notes on U. S. Reports.

1080

Approved in British, etc., Min. Co. v. Baker, etc., Min. Co., 139 U. S. 223, 35 L. 147, 11 S. Ct. 523, where findings are general and there are no exceptions, no question is raised; Saltonstall v. Birtwell, 150 U. S. 420, 37 L. 1129, 14 S. Ct. 170, where findings are not sufficient and record does not show what either party claims, a new trial is ordered.

137 U. S. 577-578, 34 L. 792, SMITH v. GALE.

Appeal.- Day of entry of judgment is excluded from computation of time for appeal or error, p. 578.

Not cited.

137 U. S. 579-583, 34 L. 801, SIRE v. ELLITHORPE AIR-BRAKE CO.

Appeal is proper where counterclaim for more than $5,000 disallowed, although judgment was for less, p. 582.

Appeal. Reversal will not be granted for evidence improperly admitted if exceptions fail to show its character, p. 582.

Exceptions, bill of.- Paper filed eight days after opinion and findings, signed only by judge, is no part of bill, p. 583.

Cited in Duncan v. Atchison, etc., R. Co., 72 Fed. 812, 44 U. s. App. 427, papers not in judgment-roll are not made part of record by being in transcript.

137 U. S. 584-604, 34 L. 803, AYERS v. WATSON.

Appeal.- Amendment of removal petition is discretionary, not ground of error, p. 585.

Boundaries.- After complete survey, ascertained monuments may be followed backwards as well as forwards, p. 590.

Reaffirmed in Simmons, etc., Coal Co. v. Doran, 142 U. &. 432, 35 L. 1070, 12 S. Ct. 244.

Evidence.- Certified copies of field notes and map are competent to identify grant, p. 594.

Appeal.- Error does not lie to refusal of new trial, p. 597. Reaffirmed in Alexander v. United States, 57 Fed. 630, 15 U. S. App. 158, Southwestern, etc., Imp. Co. v. Frari, 58 Fed. 173, 8 U. S. App. 444, and Prichard v. Budd, 76 Fed. 716, 42 U. S. App. 186, nor for refusing to set aside a verdict.

Boundaries.- Surveyor's tracks should be followed; courses control distances; marked trees control both, p. 598.

Cited in Barnhart v. Ehrhart, 33 Or. 280, 54 Pac. 197, meander line is boundary where large tract between it and water is not included.

Trial-Judge need not adopt exact language requested; sufficient if case fairly put, p. 601.