State v. Mills

I regret my failure to be in accord with the views expressed in the majority opinion.

Code, 48-8-1, together with that part of Code, 48-7-1, to be read with it, is a penal statute to be strictly construed. Hall v. Norfolk & W. R. Co., 44 W. Va. 36, 28 S. E. 754, 41 L. R. A. 669, 67 Am. St. Rep. 757; Diddle v. Continental Casualty Co., 65 W. Va. 170, 63 S. E. 962, 22 L. R. A. (N. S.) 779. As to the nature and purpose of Code. 48-8-1, see also, Clifton v. Clifton, 83 W. Va. 149, 152, 98 S. E. 72; and Davis v. Prunty, 114 W. Va. 285, 286, 171 S. E. 644. It is to be supposed that the opinions of…