Case Name: Benton v. Goodale
Court: New Hampshire Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New Hampshire
Decision Date: 1890-12
Citations: 66 N.H. 424
Docket Number: 
Parties: Benton v. Goodale.
Judges: Bingham, J., did not sit: the others concurred.
Reporter: New Hampshire Reports
Volume: 66
Pages: 424–424

Head Matter:
COÖS.
Benton v. Goodale.
One who is compelled to pay more than his share of the fees of a collector of taxes, to prevent a tax sale of his land (included with lands of other persons in an advertisement of sale), may recover the excess in assumpsit.
Assumpsit, against a tax-collector for excessive fees paid him by the plaintiff.
W. Heywood, for the plaintiff.
Ladd & Fletcher, for the defendant.

Opinion:
Allen, J.
The defendant was entitled to one dollar and no more " for advertising " all the lands included in a single advertisement, and the plaintiff was holden to pay no more than " his just proportion " of the defendant's fees. G. L., c. 58, s. 15 ; c. 59, ss. 16, 17. The plaintiff's payment of more than his share was not voluntary. He was compelled to pay what the defendant demanded to prevent a sale. An action of debt for the penalty prescribed by Gen. Laws, c. 59, s. 18, was not the only remedy. Cardigan v. Page, 6 N. H. 182, 193.
Judgment for the plaintiff.
Bingham, J., did not sit: the others concurred.