Case ID: ind_16/html/0425-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Hanna, J.—The \n      Per Ouriam.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

The Board of Commissioners of Wabash County v. Sivey.
    
      Friday, June 14.
    The clerk of the Circuit Court is not entitled to an allowance from the Board of Commissioners, for receiving and disbursing moneys on individual account; as upon judgments, or in the settlement of estates.
    Nor is he entitled to compensation for indexing the books in his office.
    APPEAL from the ¿Wabash Circuit Court.
    
      D. D. Pratt, for the appellant.
   Hanna, J.—The

appellee, clerk, &c., filed a claim against the appellant, consisting of two items: first, for indexing the books of his office; second, two and one-half per cent, for receiving and disbursing moneys passing "through his hands .as such officer.

No statute is pointed out to us expressly, in terms, authorizing such charges against the public,- through the appellants. As to the latter charge, we are clear that in the absence of such statute, moneys received and paid oht by a clerk, upon individual account, as upon judgments, or in the settlement of estates, should not involve a charge against the county. If the people of Marion county are liable for a per centage upon all the moneys received and paid out, upon judgments recovered by non-residents of the county, against non-residents, in effect, that is, against corporations, it would, doubtless amount to a heavy burden, without, so far as we are able to perceive, any corresponding public interest in such acts.

The indexing is as much, perhaps more, for the interest of the custodian of the books, as it is for that of the public. He is allowed for making all complete records, and entering orders, judgments, &c., certain fixed fees. If a memorandum is necessary, to enable him' readily to refer to such records or entries, it is but a part of, or an incident to, such former duty, and is not such extra service as should be charged to the public. It is not necessary, nor shall we attempt, in this case, to point out the several instances in which extra services should be allowed, nor to lay down any general rule upon the subject.

Per Ouriam.

The judgment is reversed, with costs. Cause remanded, &c.