Andrew Phelps McCormick

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit circuit Deceased · served 1892–1916 Appointed by Benjamin Harrison (Republican) 25 signed orders read

Judge McCormick no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled.

How Judge McCormick decides

Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.

What persuades

He treated evidence supporting employer negligence, with negligence and assumption of risk still disputed, as sufficient to require a jury trial rather than a directed defense verdict.

“For there was evidence tending to show that the defendant was negligent in furnishing defective tongs, and that such negligence caused plaintiff’s injury; (2) the evidence does not show, as a matter of law, that plaintiff was either negligent or assumed the risk attendant upon the work in hand.”

Procedural preferences

In a bench trial, he required preserved exceptions or special findings before the appellate court would revisit the result.

“the record in this case shows nothing that may form a basis for review by this court of the judgment of the circuit court”

Cautions

He enforced the jurisdictional amount in controversy using the law of his era and excluded post-maturity interest from that calculation.

“the matter in dispute exceeds, exclusive of interest and costs, the sum or value of $2,000.”

Signed rulings

A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.

Texas & Pacific Railway Co. v. White
· 1901-04-28
Appeal (plaintiff in error) Denied

“the judgment of that court herein sought to be reviewed is affirmed.”

Farmers' Loan & Trust Co. v. City of Corinth
· 1899-04-11
Appeal (appellant) Denied

“the decree of the circuit court in (his case is affirmed.”

Standard Oil Co. v. Bell
· 1898-05-24
Appeal (plaintiff in error) Denied

“the judgment of the circuit court in this ease is affirmed.”

Burke v. Dillingham
· 1894-01-30
Appeal (plaintiff in error) Denied

“The demurrer to the petition was properly sustained, and the judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.”

Graham v. Macdoneld
· 1896-11-24
Appeal (plaintiff in error) Denied

“The judgment of the circuit court is therefore affirmed.”

Conery v. Sweeney
· 1896-12-05
Appeal (appellants) Denied

“we see no reason to set aside the decree of the circuit court, and it is therefore affirmed.”

Ray v. Tatum
· 1896-01-07
Appeal (appellant) Denied

“We find no error in the decree of the circuit court, and it is affirmed.”

Smith v. Texas & Pacific Railway Co.
· 1897-06-01
Appeal (plaintiff in error) Denied

“the judgment of the circuit court should be, and is hereby, affirmed.”

Texas & Pacific Railway Co. v. Sheftall
· 1904-12-19
Appeal (plaintiff in error) Denied

“The judgment of the Circuit Court is affirmed.”

Terry v. Johnston
· 1904-02-09
Appeal (appellants) Denied

“The judgment of the District Court is therefore affirmed.”

Marion County v. Coler
· 1894-12-11
Appeal (appellant) Denied

“The judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.”

Ogden v. United States
· 1893-12-05
Appeal (appellants) Denied

“The circuit court so held, and its judgment is affirmed.”

A historical record

Judge McCormick no longer hears cases. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.