Morning journal and courier., 1889-12-27
THE COURT RECORD.
supreme Court Decisron.

o0REOAo OO0Eb ACCAsAVns
 The Supreme court, through Judge Car penter, has just pronounced an ultimatum in regard to the forfeiture of wages by em- ployss. During the labor agitation in the State few years ago the legislature adopted an enactment relating to the matter. This law, as incorporated in the general statutes, provides that "any person or corporation who shall withhold any part of the wages of any person because of any agreement, ex. pressed or implied, requiring notice before leaving the employment, shall forfeit $50, half to him who shall sue therefor and half to the State."
 Judge Carpenter says: The act was passed for the benefit of the smploye,to protect him against injustice and oppression. In cases of mere promise by an employe to give notice of his intention to terminate Q con. tract, the legislature may well say that the employer shall not take advantage of 1t to withhold wages, and the courts may we'll en- force the restriction. But when 1t Is 8 principle is to be considered. The contract in question wss not only mutual but 1t oover- ed ground otherwise not contemplated by the statute. It provides in direct terms that . violation by either party shall work a forfeiture of two weeks wages; that is, they agree upon the amount of damages In case of breach - limited damages. The case Is not within the letter and certainly is not within the the lower court placed It's judgment Is equal ly untsnsble. It virtually put into the con- tract what the parties did hot place there; that breach should entitle the other party to such damaged only as he should show that he actually sustained; whereas, the parties in effect agreed that . sum equal to two weeks wages should be regarded ss linn. ited damages."
 The opinion is regarded as sturdy enun- ciator of the principles that must govern the employer and the cmploye alike. In most manufacturing establishments in the State the notice of intention to abandon one'f work permanently Is essential. And the law, a interpreted by the Supreme court will not conflict with the requiring of suct notice when the agreement Is mutual. Court Of Common Pieas-Civil side Judge Studley. The jury in the civil side of the Court oi Common Pleas, which has been engaged fo, the past few days in trying the case of John Hurley vs. Mrs. Mary Humiston, yesterday returned Q verdict in favor of the plaintiff tC recover $500, the full amount he sued for The suit wss ts recover wages amounting t $1 ,200 E. P. Arvine for the plaintiff Judge 8. A. Yerk for the defendant. Probate Court-Judge Robertson.
 In the Probate court yesterday Judge Rob ertson appointed Abner Warner trustee O the estate of Henry R. Williams of Hamden The estate was adjudged insolvent by tn, court last Monday.
 CIty Court - Criminal slds - Judg,
 Breach of peace--William Ehrle. $7 fine .87 costs; James Daley, $7 fine, 8 8 costs; Daniel Maloney, December 27; wil liam Cannon, $10 dne, e0.24 costs; Charle Tobin, $l0 hne, <8.24 costs; Edward F Cook, discharged.
 Non.support of wifs-Jsmss F. Coffsy December 28.
 Fast driving Belle wilroy, 8 fine, $e.2 costs.
 vagrancy-John o'Nsil, December 27 John Golden. December 27.
 Court Nosss.
 The Sands Automatic Fan company, O -Meridsn, has sued John O. Nero, the saloou keeper at the corner of Chapel and Uniol streets to recover $50 for the machines tha cooled Mr. Nero's customers last summer ana O0putY Snorln higgins served the WIT yesterday morning. Charles H. Sawyer, O Meriden, Is counsel for the company, J. P Goodhart represents Mr. Nero. The case i returnable before Justice Platt, of Meriden Omcer Cook Brings suit For $500, ! Damages.
 Lawyer Walter Pond, as counsel for OH OCT Frank Cook, yesterday brought civl suit for $5, 900 damages against Maurice ] Reilly, ono of the young men implicated i the small riot on Congress avenue on Mon day night. Deputy Sheriff Higgins has at tached property on Mulberry street. belong ing to Reilly. Reilly was one of those wh assaulted Officer Cook, who ia still laid u from his injuries.
 The main building of the Western colleg at Toledo, Iowa, was burned early Yesterda morning, only part of the library and tn contents of the treasury bsing saved. Thi was one of the finest college buildings in th State. The loss is$l50, 900; insurancs $22. S 600.