Materia

Substance: matter, subject, subject-matter. In, pari materia. Upon like (equal) matter; in regard tp the same matter. Waite, C. J. See also Hatch v. Indianapolis, &c.

E. Co., 11 Biss. 138 (1882). 1 Felch V. Hooper, 4 Cliff. 494 (1878). = Harding v. Handy, 11 Wheat. 126 (1826). ' Steam Stone Cutter Co. v. Windsor Manuf Co., 17 Blatch. 24 (1879); Kisor's Appeal, 62 Pa. 435 (1869). * Phillips's Appeal, 68 Pa. 137 (1871), Agnew, J.;. SprouU's Appeal, 71 id. 137 (1872); Clai-k's Appeal, 62 id.

461 (1869);, Tilghman v. Proctor, 125 U. S. 149 (1888). ' Middleton v. Bankers' & Merchants' Tel. Co., 82 F. Statutes in pari materia are to be construed together. Such statutes relate to the same person or thing or the same classes. They are usually general laws made at different times, in reference to the same subject.' The rule does not apply where the language of an act is free from uncertainty.^ The rule applies to a section of a statute construed with reference to prior statutes; " to sections of a revised code; ^ and to constitutional provisions having a common purpose.* The legislature is presumed to have had former statutes before it, and to have been acquainted with their judicial construction.^ Where divers statutes relate to the same thing, all are to be considered, in construing any one of them.*