Is the inhibition

confined to criminal cases?

233.

What is due process of

law?

260.

Repeat Magna Charta?

- 251.

What is due course of law?

260.

Define the right of a citizen?

253.

What is law?

239.

3

This must have reference to criminal proceedings, since the practice of discovery in civil cases is universal. See 4 Bl. Com. 326; Wilson's Law Lect. 154-159; Cicero pro Sulla, 28. Rutherford's. Inst. B. 1, ch. 18, § 5. Such a practice in criminal cases is conceived in a spirit of torture. Story's Const. § 1788.

257. WITHOUT DUE PROCESS OF LAW."-By the "due course of law," is meant all the guaranties set forth in the sixth amendment. Jones v. Montes, 15 Tex. 353; James v. Reynolds, 2 Tex. 251. In Magna Charta it probably meant the established law of the kingdom, in opposition to the Civil or Roman law. Reynolds, 2 Tex. 251; Paschal's Annotated Digest, note 155.

James v.

Nec super eum ibimus, nec super eum mittimus, nisi per legale judicium parium suorum, vel per legem terræ. Neither will we pass upon him, or condemn him, but by the lawful judgment of his peers or the law of the land. Magna Charta; Story's Const. § 1789. See the question examined. Murray's Lessee v. Hoboken Land & Improvement Company, 18 How. 272.

It conveys the same meaning as "law of the land," in Magna Charta. (2 Inst. 50.) Id. 276.

"DUE PROCESS OF LAW."--This means that the right of the citizen to his property, as well as life or liberty, could be taken away only upon an open, public, and fair trial before a judicial tribunal, according to the forms prescribed by the laws of the land for the investigation of such subjects. 9th Op. 200. An executive officer cannot make an order to violate this principle. Id. Property and life are put upon the same footing. Id.

The true interpretation of these constitutional phrases is, that where rights are acquired by the citizen under the existing law, there is no power in any branch of the government to take them away; but where they are held contrary to existing law, or are forfeited by its violation, then they may be taken from him-not by an act of the legislature, but in the due administration of the law itself, before the judicial tribunals of the State. Wynehamer v. People, 13 N. Y. R. 393; Taylor v. Porter, 4 Hill, 145. That is by indictment or presentment of good and lawful men. Kent's Com. 13; Story's Const. § 1782; 2 Coke's Inst. 45–50.) Wynehamer v. People, 13 N. Y. R. 395; Jones v. Montes, 15 Tex. 352; Paschal's Annotated Digest, note 155; 2 Inst. 50, 51 2 Kent's Com. Lect. 24, p. 10; Story's Const. § 1789.

(2

What law? Undoubtedly a pre-existing rule of conduct, not an ex post facto law, rescript, or decree made for the occasion--the purpose of working the wrong. (Norman v. Heist, 5 Watts & Sergt. 193; Taylor v. Porter, 4 Hill, 145; Hoke v. Henderson, 4 Dev. 15.) Wynehamer v. People, 13 N. Y. R. 393, 394. See full citations, 2 Kent's Com. 11th ed. 339, 240, and notes. This is intended to secure the citizen the right to a trial, accordrule apply ing to the forms of law. Parsons v. Russel, 11 Mich. 113. But it does not apply to proceedings to collect the public revenue. Ames v. Port Huron, &c., Co. 11 Mich. 139. See that question exhaustively investigated. Taylor's Lessee v. Hoboken Land & Improvement Company, 18 How. 272.

Does the

to the collection of

revenue?

For though "due process of law" generally implies and includes

actor, reus, judex, regular allegations, opportunity to answer, and a trial according to some settled course of judicial proceeding, yet this is not universally true. (2 Inst. 47, 50; Hoke v. Henderson, 4 Dev. N. C. R. 15; Taylor v. Porter, 4 Hill, 146; Van Zandt v. Waddel, 2 Yerg. 260; State Bank v. Cooper; Id. 599; Jones v. Heirs of Perry, 10 Id. 59; Greene v. Briggs, 1 Curtis, 311.) Murray v. Hoboken L. & I. Co., 18 How. 280.

strain the

legislature?

The article is a restraint on the legislative as well as on the Does the executive and judicial branches of the government, and cannot be article reso construed as to leave Congress free to make any process "due process of law." Id. 276. We must examine the Constitution itself, to see whether the process be in conflict with any of its provisions. Id. 277. Summary process to collect revenue was always allowed. Id. Authorities exhausted. Id.

The law of New York, which authorizes a person to be commit- Exemplify a ted as an inebriate to the lunatic asylum upon an ex parte affidavit, violation of without being heard, violates this guaranty. In matter of Jones, 30 How. Pr. 446.

this clause ?

property?

258. "PRIVATE PROPERTY FOR PUBLIC USE WITHOUT JUST What is COMPENSATION.-"PRIVATE PROPERTY" is the sacred right of indi- private vidual dominion. It is one of the great absolute rights of every citizen to have his property protected. And the government has 231, 233, 144, no right to deprive the citizen of his property, except for the 72. use of the public; nor then, without compensation. Story's Const. § 1790.

This phrase includes all private property. United States v. Harding, 1 Wall. Jr. 127; 2 Opin. 655. See Murray's Lessee v. Hoboken Land & Improvement Company, 18 How. 276. This last clause refers solely to the exercise by the State of the right of eminent domain. (The People v. The Mayor of Brooklyn, 4 Comst. 419.) Gilman v. The City of Sheboygan, 2 Blackf. 513. This provision is only a limitation of the power of the general government; it has no application to the legislation of the several States. Barron v. Mayor of Baltimore, 7 Pet. 243-7; Bonaparte v. Camden & Amboy R. R. Co., Bald. 220. It is now settled that the amendments to the Constitution do not extend to the States. Livingston's Lessee v. Moore, 7 Pet. 551; Boring v. Williams, 17 Ala. 516. They are exclusively restrictions upon federal power, intended to prevent interference with the rights of the States, and of their citizens. Fox v. Ohio, 5 How. 434; James v. Commonwealth, 12 S. & R. 221; Barker v. The People, 3 Cow. 686. It is a great principle of the common law, which existed anterior to the Constitution and to magna charta, and which was embodied in the 29th What says article of that great charter:-"No freeman shall be taken, or im- Magna prisoned, or disseized of his freehold, or liberties, or otherwise destroyed, but by lawful judgment of his peers, or by the law of the land." Young v. McKenzie, 3 Ga. 42. This is an affirmance of a great doctrine established by the common law for the protection of private property. It is founded on natural equity, and laid down by jurists as a principle of universal law. (Story's Const. § 1790; Bradshaw v. Rogers, 2 Johns. 106; Louisville, Cincinnati & Charleston Railroad Co. v. Chappell, Rice, 387; Doe v. The

Charta?

What is just compensation?

In what

must be

the payment?

What provision for payment must be made?

For what

purpose cannot a rail

road condemn?

Georgia R. R. & B. Co., 1 Kelley, 524; 1 Bl. Com. 139, 140.) Young v. McKenzie, 3 Ga. 40-44; 2 Kent's Com. Lect. 24, pp. 275, 276; 3 Wilson's Law Lect. 203; Ware v. Hylton, 3 Dall. 194, 235. In the absence of any such declaration in the Constitution of Georgia, we refer to this amendment as a plain, simple declaration of a great constitutional principle, of universal application, as asserted and declared in the Constitution of the United States. Young v. McKenzie, 3 Ga. 45. The true principle from this case would seem to be, that the Constitution of the United States, and the amendments, enter into and form parts of the State Constitutions--paramount pro tanto.-ED. Some of these amendments were declaratory; some restrictive of the powers of the federal government. The latter clause of this article is only declaratory. Young v. McKenzie, 3 Ga. 44.

A "public use means a use concerning the whole community, as distinguished from particular individuals, though each and every member of society need not be equally interested in such use. Gilmer v. Line Point, 18 Cal. 229. And see Honeyman v. Blake, 19 Cal. 579. See People v. Kerr, 3 Barb. N. Y. 357. The right of the owners of town lots to the adjoining street, is as much property as the lot itself. Lackland v. North Missouri R. R. Co. 31 Mo. 180.

259. "JUST COMPENSATION."-Although we may hold that "compensation" is not altogether synonymous with "payment," yet the means of payment must not be doubtful. The making of compensation must be as absolutely certain as that the property is taken. (Carr v. Ga. R. R. & B. Co., 1 Kelley, 524; Young v. Harrison, 6 Ga. 130; Bloodgood v. M. & H. R. R. Co., 18 Wend. 9; 2 Kent's Com. 339.) B. B., Brazos & Colorado Railroad Co. v. Ferris, 26 Tex. 602. (See 2 Kent's Com. 3d ed. notes f, and 7 Miller v. Craig, 3 Stockt. N. J. 106.)

The payment must be in money, the constitutional currency. Id. The advantages to the land not taken cannot be estimated against the intrinsic value of the land actually taken. (Jacob v. The City of Louisville, 9 Dana, 114; The People v. The Mayor of Brooklyn, 6 Barb. 309; Rogers v. R. R. Co. 3 Maine, 310; State v. Miller, 3 Zab. 383; Hatch v. R. R. 25 Vt. 49; Moale v. Baltimore, 5 Md. 314.) B. B., Brazos & Colo. R. R. Co. v. Ferris, 26 Tex. 603, 604; Paschal's Annotated Dig. note 168.

Under an act which authorizes a work, but does not provide for compensation for private property, which it will be necessary to take, such property cannot be taken without the owner's consent. Carson v. Coleman, 3 Stockt. N. J. 106. The consequential injury occasioned by the grading of a street, is not a taking of private property for public use within the meaning of the prohibition of the Constitution. Macy v. Indianapolis, 17 Ind. 267.

The question is not judicial, but one of political sovereignty, to be exerted as the legislature directs. Ford v. Chicago, &c., R. R. Co. 14 Wis. 609.

A railroad company cannot condemn a site for erecting a manufactory of railroad cars. Eldridge v. Smith, 34 Vermont (5 Shaw), 484. Nor dwelling-houses for employees. Id. Otherwise as to

Id. ;

wood and lumber used on the road. Id. There must be a condemnation, or an agreement consummated. Whitman v. Boston, &c., 3 Allen (Mass.), 133. The condemnation may be within the liberal construction of the charter. Fall River, &c., Co. v. Old Colony, &c., R. R. Co. 5 Allen (Mass.), 221. And see Wadhams v. Lackawana, &c., R. R. Co., 42 Penn. State R. 303; Vicksburg, &c., R. R. Co., 15 La. Ann. 507.

extend?

The actual occupant of vacant public lands is entitled to damages, To what even where the land is taken under an act of Congress. California, title does it &c., R. R. Co. v. Gould, 21 Cal. 254. A statute fixing the minimum of fees for defending criminals is not taking private property for public use. Samuels v. Dubuque, 13 Iowa (5 With.), 536.

of the

liquor laws?

The law of New York, which forbade the sale of spirituous State the liquors, "deprived" the owners of their property; and violated this principle guaranty. Wynehamer v. The People, 13 N. Y. R. 395, 396, 397. When a law annihilates the value of property, and strips it of its attributes, by which, alone, it is distinguished as property, the owner is deprived of it according to the plainest interpretation, and certainly within the spirit of the constitutional provision intended expressly to shield private rights from the exercise of power. Wynehamer v. People, 13 N. Y. R. 398. These views do not interfere with the license laws, which have been held to be constitutional; nor with the laws which merely affect the value of property, or render its destruction necessary as a means of safety. (Story's Const. § 1790; Radcliff's Executors v. The Mayor of Brooklyn, 4 Comst. 195; 2 Kent, 330; Russel v. The Mayor, &c., of New York, 2 Denio, 461.) Wynehamer v. The People, 13 N. Y. R. 402; Mitchell v. Harmony, 13 How. 115; The License Cases, 5 Howard, 504; Lorocco v. Geary, 3 Cal. 69; Am, Print Works v. Lawrence, 1 Zabr. 248.

A law prohibiting the indiscriminate traffic in intoxicating What conliquors, and placing the trade under public regulation to prevent trol has the abuse in their sale and use, violates no constitutional restraints. legislature It deprives no one of his liberty or property. Metropolitan Board liquor of Excise v. Barrie, 34 N. Y. R. 667.

over the

trade?

control its successors?

No one legislature can curtail the power of its successors to Can a make such laws as they may deem proper in matters of police. legislature (Alger v. Weston, 14 Johns. 231; People v. Morris, 13 Wend. 329; State v. Holmes, 38 New Hamp. 225; Calder v. Kirby, 5 Gray, 597; Hun v. The State, 1 Ohio, 15; Wynehamer v. The People, 3 Kern. (13 N. Y. R.) 378; License Cases, 5 How. 504; Butler v. Pennsylvania, 10 How. 416; Coates v. The Mayor, 7 Cow. 587; 2 Parsons on Cont. 538; 3 Id. 5th ed. 556.) Metropolitan Board v. Barrie, 34 N. Y. R. 668. Some of the dicta in Wynehamer v. The People have misled. Id.

ARTICLE VI.

the rights of

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy What are the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial defendants jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall cases? have been committed, which district shall have been 16, 35, 46.

in criminal

253, 263.
12, 212, 245.

263.

212, 251-259.

What is the

ted States? 2, 8, 117. What is the

power of a military commission ?

To whom is jury trial secured?

254. 253, 254.

previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor; and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.

260. “THE ACCUSED," here means the " "here means the "person" presented or indicted. The "him" does not limit the accused to sex. Because the amendments did not apply to the States, the slaves and free persons of color were often deprived of a trial by jury.

This is only to be intended of those crimes which, by our former laws and customs, had been tried by jury. United States v. Duane, (Penn.) Wall. 106. The conspirators who assassinated the President of the United States, while the country was in a state of war, and while the city of Washington was under martial law, were triable by military commission under the act of Congress, and not entitled to a trial by jury. The Trial of the Conspirators. Any person charged with a crime in the courts of the United States, has a right, before as well as after indictment, to the process of the court to compel the attendance of his witnesses. 1 Burr's Trial,

179-80.

This section compared with Art. III., Sec. II., clause 3, and the third, fourth, and fifth amendments. Ex parte Milligan, 4 Wallace, 119, 120, 139. The history of these guaranties. Id.

Ex

The Constitution of the United States is a law for rulers and Constitution people, equally in war and in peace, and covers with the shield of of the Uni- its protection all classes of men, at all times and under all circumstances. Ex parte Milligan, 4 Wallace, 120, 121. But see the war power discussed. Id. 138, 139. A military commission could exercise no judicial power over a citizen of Indiana during the rebellion. Id. The laws and usages of war could not be applied to citizens in States which have upheld the authority of the government, and where the courts are open and their process unobstructed. parte Milligan, Id. 121. This right of trial by jury is preserved to every one accused of crime, who is not attached to the army or navy, or militia in actual service. Id. See dissentient opinion, p. 139. The fifth amendment recognizes the necessity of an indictment or presentment, before any one can be held to answer for high crimes, with the exception therein stated; by which it was meant to limit the right of trial by jury, in this sixth amendment, to those persons who were subject to indictment or presentment What are in the fifth. Ex parte Milligan, 4 Wallace, 123. Those connected the excep. with military or naval service are amenable to the jurisdiction which Congress has created for their government, and, while thus serving, they surrender their right to be tried by the civil courts. Id. All other persons, citizens of States where the courts are open, if charged with crime, are guarantied trial by jury. Id. Civil liberty and martial law (at the will of the commander) cannot endure together; the antagonism is irreconcilable. Id. Neither Congress nor the President can disturb one of these guaranties of liberty, except the one concerning the writ of habeas corpus. Id. But

tions?

254.

How are

the citizens to be tried?

What of martial law?

140, 141.