Case ID: njl_2/html/0082-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Kirkpatrick, C. J. Pennington, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

[64] JOHN SNYDER against Administrators of JOHN C. HUMMEL.
    CERTIORARI.
    Vague demand, and no evidence.
    This was an action for debt; the state of demand as follows :
    
      
    
    Annexed to the above state of demand, was a note given by Jonathan Doan to John Snyder, Esquire, and by John Snyder indorsed in blank, no subscribing witness to the note, nor does it appear that any witness was sworn or examined at the trial; judgment for tire plaintiff below, (the defendants in certiorari), for $4.87, with cost of suit. It is presumed that this action was brought by the defendants in certiorari, against the plaintiff in certiorari, as indorser of a promissory note; the plaintiffs below setting themselves up as indorsees.
   Kirkpatrick, C. J.

— I think there are two fatal errors upon this record, and the proceedings accompanying the same. The plaintiffs bring this action upon a note of hand given by one Doan to the defendant, and by him, as they pretend, assigned to their intestate, John C. [f] Hummel. Whereas, upon inspection of the note, (handed up by the justice), no such assignment appears. The name of John Snyder, it is true, is indorsed, and the plaintiffs being in possession of the note might lawfully have written over it, a proper assignment; but till this is done, I think they could not lawfully recover.

Hunter, for plaintiff.

In the second place, the defendant did not appear at the trial, and the justice, as he states, notwithstanding, went into the hearing of the matter. But he could have heard only the plaintiffs themselves, for no witness appears to have been sworn. And as to matters which the law requires to be entered on the record, quod non apparet non est. Besides, the subject matter of the controversy not -being a matter of record, it was capable of proof by no other means than the testimony of witnesses. The justice, therefore, according to the directions of the act establishing these courts, has not proceeded to hear the cause in a lawful maimer. In my opinion, the judgment cannot stand.

Rossell, J. — -Concurred.

Pennington, J.

— -The state of demand is too vague to form the groundwork of an action. A judgment founded thereon, and that too without proof, cannot be supported.

Judgment reversed.