Case Name: Sid Black et al v. Wm. A. Goodman, Jr., trustee, et al.
Court: Hamilton County Circuit Court
Jurisdiction: Ohio
Decision Date: 1909-06-19
Citations: 12 Ohio C.C. (n.s.) 287
Docket Number: 
Parties: Sid Black et al v. Wm. A. Goodman, Jr., trustee, et al.
Judges: Giffen, P. J.; Smith, J., and Swing, J., concur.
Reporter: Ohio Circuit Court Reports (new series)
Volume: 12
Pages: 287–288

Head Matter:
OFFICE OF CERTAIN MOTIONS AND DEFENSES.
Circuit Court of Hamilton County.
Sid Black et al v. Wm. A. Goodman, Jr., trustee, et al.
Decided, June 19, 1909.
Pleading — Motion for Judgment and to Malte more Definite and Certain . —Good Faith in the Filing of Answer or Gross-Petition not 'Material; When-^-Frror.
1. While the overruling of a motion to make definite and certain may constitute reversible error, the question whether or not the overruling was proper can not be determined on a motion for judgment, • but only on a petition in error.
2. The object of a motion to strike from the files is to test the correctness of its form or -the regularity of its filing; and i if an answer contains a good defense or a cross-petition a good cause of action, it is immaterial whether or not it was filed in good faith, or for purposes of delay only.
Murray M. Shoemaker, for plaintiff in error.
Healy, Ferris & McAvoy, contra.
Giffen, P. J.; Smith, J., and Swing, J., concur.

Opinion:
The bill of exceptions having been stricken from the files, the defendants in error move the court for a judgment in their favor "upon the pleadings and. record herein."
The first ground of error alleged is in overruling the motion of plaintiff in error for defendants in error to make their petition definite and certain. This is held to be reversible error in the case of Railroad Co. v. Kistler, 66 O. S., 326, but whether the motion, was in .fact well founded must be determined when the case comes on to be heard upon the petition in -error and can not be summarily disposed of on motion. for judgment.
Another error, alleged is in granting- the motion -of defendants in error to strike the answer of plaintiffs in error from-the files.
The office -of a motion to strike a pleading from the files is.- to test the regularity connected with the filing, as when filed after the time allowed by statute, or the form of such pleadings as when not verified, its office is not to inquire into the merits of the ease either in law or in fact. Finch v. Finch, 10 O. S., 501, 505.
If the answer and cross-petition is frivolous and was filed for the purpose of delay inereljq as stated in the motion, and all this appears from the pleading itself, the motion was properly sustained; but if the answer contains a good defense," or the'cross-petition a good cause of -action, it is immaterial whether filed in good faith or for purposes of delay only, and the motion should have, been overruled. Traction Co. v. Parish, 67 O. S., 181.
In either event this is not the mode provided by statute for reviewing a case on error, and the motion for judgment will be overruled.