UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT DECISIONS ON-LINE

This Court is slow to disturb the decision of the supreme court of a territory in regard to matters of local practice and the construction of state statutes. Nadal v. May, ante, p. 233 U. S. 447.

While the record of proceedings of a board of directors, when made, is the best evidence, if it is found that no record was made, the admission of secondary evidence is not reversible error. Bank of the United States v. Dandridge, 12 Wheat. 64.

This Court sees no reason for reversing the supreme court of the Territory of New Mexico in holding that a railroad company was entitled under §§ 3850 and 3874, Compiled Laws, to protection as soon as its final location was completed.

Under the circumstances of this case, the plaintiff railroad company was not guilty of laches in the location and protection of its right of way.

A defendant railroad company acquires no new rights by going ahead with location and construction after a suit has been commenced by another company claiming a prior location.

16 N.M. 281 affirmed.

The facts, which involve the conflicting claims of two railroad companies to a right of way in New Mexico, are stated in the opinion. clubjuris

Page 233 U. S. 602