Sprague v. Astoria

Jurisdiction is the authority to hear and determine a legal controversy.

“The fundamental question of jurisdiction, first of the appellate court, and then of the court from which the record comes, presents itself on every writ of error and appeal, and must be answered by the court, whether propounded by counsel or not: Defiance Water Co. v. Defiance, 190 U. S. 184 (48 L. Ed. 140, 24 Sup. Ct. Rep. 63, see, also, Rose’s U. S. Notes).” Dippold v. Cathlamet Timber Co., 98 Or. 183, 189 (193 Pac. 909).

The plaintiff bases her averment that this court is without jurisdiction upon the showing made by…