This action is for damages, alleged to be the result of defendant’s negligence. A general statement of the case is this: That plaintiff ivas the conductor; that it was his duty to see that his train was properly equipped before pulling out of.the yard; that he knew it was not so equipped, and was therefore guilty of contributory negligence, as he started out without a bell-cord, and the car ran a long *805distance on the cross-ties after it bad jumped the track, because he could not stop the train for-want of.the bell-cord, and that finally the plaintiff either fell off or jumped off, and was injured. The plaintiff claims that defendant was negligent to his injury, in that (1) it caused a comparatively light car t0‘ be attached to a powerful engine; (2). that the coupling iron was inferior to those in general use. The witnesses call it a goose neck or S link, by which we understand-an iron bent thus, so as to connect the car with a base lower than that of the engine; (3) that the speed of the train ordered to be run was too fast for a train of this character.
Several witnesses were examined, and there were no exceptions to the evidence. There was some conflict in the evidence of the conductor and the engineer as to the rate of speed when- the injury occurred, and as to the orders received by the latter from the company, and from the conductor himself.
The first .exception was the refusal of his Honor to nonsuit the plaintiff under the Act of 1897, chap. 109. There was no error here as there was manifestly conflicting evidence proper 'to be considered by the jury.
The fourth exception, was that the. Court had no authority to try the case at an adjourned clay of the special term-ordered by the Governor to “continue until business is disposed off’ in civil cases only. A regular term of the Superior Court was held during the. recess of the special term. No objection to the jurisdiction was made before the Judge holding the special term, hut was first made in this Court. This the defendant may do if this Court can see that the Superior Court was without jurisdiction. This motion raises an important question. Counsel cited no authority nor did he refer to the distinction, which is decision against his motion. There is perhaps no word more frequently used in judicial proceedings than jurisdiction, very often in a general and vague sense, without due regard to precision in its application. *806The question arose in Branch v. Houston, Busbee (44 N. C.), 85, and the distinction clearly marked, citing English authorities. “If there be a defective, i. e., a total want of jurisdiction, apparent upon the face of the proceedings, the Court will, of its own motion, stay, quash or dismiss the suit. This is necessary to prevent the Court from being forced into an act. of usurpation, and compelled to give a void judgment.”
If, however, “the subject matter is within the jurisdiction, and there be any peculiar circumstances excluding the plaintiff, or exempting the defendant, it must be brought forward by a plea to the jurisdiction. Otherwise there is an implied ■waiver of the objection, and the court goes on in tñe exereisr-of its ordinary jurisdiction.”
Applying this clear cut distinction, we see that his Honor on the face of his commission-, had complete jurisdiction, with authority equal to that \f a. Judge- holding a regular term, with -few unimportant exceptions, and when he organized his court, there was nothing before him to- excite a doubt of his authority to go on until the business wa.s disposed of. Having, then, jurisdiction, if anything or circumstance occurred which the parties thought terminated jurisdiction, they are presumed to waive such matters unless they bring them to the attention of the Court by a. plea to the jurisdiction. The fourth exception was therefore properly overruled.
The second and third exceptions are to- parts of the charge, indicated by “a” and “b.” After charging as to- the caboose in a, manner not excepted to-, his Honor said: (“a”) “But if you should not so- find, you will proceed to the next allegation of neglige-ncei, to-wit, the use- of goose-neck link or coupling. There is evidence on the part of plaintiff tending to show that it was dangerous and unsafe, and evidence on the part of defendant that it, was not. You must consider it all together with the facts and circumstances surrounding the accident, and ascertain the facts. The burden is here again *807on the plaintiff, and unless satisfied by the greater weight of evidence that a prudent man in the exercise of ordinary care would not have, under the circumstances, used such a coupling you will find that it was not negligence to use it. If you are so satisfied, you will say, yes, provided you find plaintiff’s injury was caused thereby — and not consider or trouble yourself with the other allegations of negligence. If not so satisfied you will consider the allegation of negligence in giving a maximum rate of speed of twenty-four miles per hour — by train dispatcher — and so running by engineer.” He then told the jury that the burden was on the plaintiff, and directed them to consider all the facts a,nd cirpnmstances. He further said: (“b”j “But before you can find the second issue yes,, you must find that the plaintiff’s negligence- was the proximate cause of tlie injury. °Tha,t is to say that his negligence-was nearer the injury than that of defendant. The law seeks to find out who had the last chance to avoid the accident, and holds that party responsible who had the last chance to avoid it. * * You must find the defendant negligent either in coupling sxrch a caboose to such an engine; in using an S coupling link, or ini running at. an excessive rate of speed,’ and he charged that the burden of the second issue was .on the defendant, and that they must find that the defendant’s negligence, if any, was the proximate cause-, and not the plaintiff’s negligence.
It appears from this review that there was conflicting evidence as to the main questions, and the proximate cause waa submitted to the jury.
We think that the Court was justified in this case in submitting the question of negligence and proximate cause to the-jirry, and we see no material error in any part of his charge,. Taking the facts as the- jury have found them, there is no-error in the record.
Affirmed.