The opinion of the Court was delivered by
Moses, C. J.That the question of marriage was to be considered and determined by the issue made in the cause did not necessarily demand its reference to a jury. Important as that fact and the consequences which follow it may be to the appellants, it, of itself, constitutes no exception to the mode of trial provided by law.
Issues of fact in certain actions must be tried by a jury, unless waived in the manner prescribed by the Code, (Section 276,) while “every other issue” is triable by the Court which, however, may order it, or any specific question of fact involved therein, to be tried by a jury or Referee, (Section 277). The 29th Rule of the Circuit Court directs the course which must be followed in cases where the trial of issues of fact is not provided for in Section 276 of the Code, when either party shall desire a trial by jury.
It appears from the record before us that a jury was not claimed under the Rule, and the mode of trial, therefore, was discretionary with the Court. The complaint was for an account and distribution of the estate of an intestate. The form of proceeding in that Court, where relief is invoked through other than its common law power, never required a jury as an indispensable adjunct. The whole case is left to the determination alone of the Judge, and the 11th Section of the Declaration of Rights, which requires that “ the right of jury trial shall remain inviolate,” was not impaired, because no change in the administration of the equitable functions of the Court had been made in this regard.
If, however, the parties had a legal claim to a jury, and withheld their application, with what semblance of reason or justice can they complain of any deprivation of their rights? Having the power to demand a reference of the issues of fact to a jury, they chose to submit it to the decision of the Judge, who had complete *413jurisdiction without its intervention. Can they, after this, complain that his judgment is void, when they refrained from asking, in due form, a trial by jury, which, on demand, must have been accorded to them ?
The issues of fact,” as well as of law, were for the judgment and determination of the presiding Judge, and if his conclusion, from the testimony in regard to the facts, was, in his own mind, so free from doubt as not to require the aid of a jury in their solution, any reference to such a tribunal would have really been without meaning or design. The purpose of the evidence was to produce a conviction in the mind of the Court, and when this was accomplished, its whole end had been answered. If it was in doubt as to any question of fact arising in the case, it was at liberty, at its discretion, to refer it to a jury. Such, too, was the practice heretofore in the highest appellate Court in this State, in cases brought before it involving facts of doubtful issue. But, even there, the verdict of the jury on the facts was not held conclusive, and it would either disregard the finding and decide for itself, or send the issue to another jury for trial. This practice was not founded bn any supposed rights of the parties, or followed out of anydeference to them, but was purely, and only, to satisfy the conscience of the Court. If it was convinced by the testimony, it adopted its own conclusions, independent of any aid or sanction through the help of a jury.
Here, after a very full, nay, exhausted examination and consideration of the evidence, the Circuit Judge has reached a conclusion, so far as we can infer from his decree, without any reservation of doubt.
We do not propose to enter into any discussion in regard to the testimony introduced at the trial by the respective parties, on the comparative weight of which the judgment of the Court rested.
The existence of a marriage is a question of fact. Whether founded on an express contract, or inferred from circumstances, which necessarily imply that the relation of husband and wife existed between the parties, the result must be obtained through the medium of the evidence adduced in the cause. If it depends on an express contract, there will be less difficulty in ascertaining the fact, for there the evidence will refer to a particular transaction, and nothing is to be determined but its effect. If, however, it depends on cohabitation and repute, then the effect must be judged by a comparison of all the circumstances relied on by both sides, and even cohabitation *414and repute will not avail “ where the proof is clear that the parties were never married.” Such is the result of the authorities in South Carolina, and, if we err not, in all the States where marriage is regarded merely in the light of a civil institution.
Where a decree resting alone on.facts is sought to be reversed, the contestant must show that it is clearly erroneous. The. obligation thus imposed upon him is necessarily a light one, for if the error is clear, there will be no difficulty in exposing it. In Sullivan vs. Thomas, 3 S. C., 545, this Court is said to have all the powers of the late Court of Appeals and Court of Errors, as it regards “ cases of Chancery,” and can revise any decision on the ground of errors of law or fact. “The Court of Appeals would not disturb the decision of a Judge, as to a question of fact, when the determination of the fact rested upon doubtful or disputable proof, but sustained the conclusions of fact of the Court below, unless dearly erroneous.” — Ibid. In Williams vs. Beard, 1 S. C., 325, we had occasion to declare, after a review of the course of the Courts of the last resort in this State, in regard to the judgment of a Chancellor, on mere questions of fact, that a party seeking its reversal must shew “ that the overbearing weight of the testimony leads to a conclusion different from that, to which, on consideration of it, he has adopted.” The same rule was announced in Womack vs. Austin, 1 S. C., 438. We can discover in the decree before us no such error of fact as to authorize our interference.
It is true, as said in the able argument of the counsel for the appellants, that in eases of this character the Court will, if possible, give such a construction to the acts of the parties as will save the reputation of the woman and free the children from the brand of bastardy.
Where the acts in proof create such a doubt that the judicial mind vacillates and hesitates between adverse conclusions, the benignant rule which requires a construction favorable to that result, which will preserve the character of those concerned, may well be applied. But where the Court is not left in doubt, its consequences upon individuals must be disregarded.
The marriage relation must, in fact, exist between parties who claim the benefits which follow it. The proprieties which regulate society, and without which some of its dearest and most cherished objects would be defeated, must be preserved in their purity. In Agg vs. Davies, 2 Phil., 344, it is said: “ The public has an interest *415in having the lawful relation of parties clearly ascertained.” Mr. Poynter, in his work on Marriage and Divorce, p. 56, says: “ While society grants certain civil advantages to marriage, it has a right to dictate the conditions on which such advantages are to be obtained;” * * * “besides, as marriage depends on society for protection, it is highly expedient that its existence should be unequivocally demonstrated.”
We fail to perceive in the case any evidence by which the marriage relation between the parties can be said to have existed, and the motion is dismissed.
Wright, A. J., and Willard, A. J., concurred.