Melville Fuller

“ It is for us, when questions or propositions are certified, accompanied by a proper statement of the facts on which they arise, to determine whether we will answer them as propounded, or direct the whole record to be placed before us in order to decide the matter in controversy in the same manner as if the case had been brought up by writ of error or appeal. ”

“ After stating the questions, the certificate concluded with a direction to the clerk to transmit to the clerk of the supreme court of the United States, in connection with the certificate, 20 copies of the printed record in the cause, and it is apparent that reference to that record is necessary in order to the correct determination of the questions. ”