Case Name: SLIDELL vs. LOCKE
Court: Louisiana Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1841-05
Citations: 18 La. 461
Docket Number: 
Parties: SLIDELL vs. LOCKE.
Judges: 
Reporter: Louisiana Reports
Volume: 18
Pages: 461–464

Head Matter:
SLIDELL vs. LOCKE.
APPEAL PROM THE PARISH COURT FOR THE PARISH AND CITY OP NEW ORLEANS.
A continuance will not be allowed, because a public officer is called as a witness with his records, at the moment of trial, and shows his records are locked up and his clerk has the key, and is absent at the time.
Where a judgment states the “court being satisfied that the plaintiff’s claim is correct,” it is a sufficient constitutional reason to support the validity of the judgment.
This is an action on a promissory note signed by the defendant payable to the order of John Slidell, for $1000, the first day of May, 1840.
The defendant made a long defence, the substance of which wag pregent note, was given for the balance of the price of a lot of ground, warranted free from all incumbrances and liens, but that there is a lien on it for $173, due the corporation for paving.
On the trial, the defendant called upon the Mayor and City Comptroller to produce the books and accounts of the corporation, to be used as evidence, and was unable to obtain them at the moment, and asked for a continuance, which was refused; he not having used sufficient diligence to obtain the evidence.
There was judgment against the defendant and he appealed.
Slidell, for the plaintiff. .
Dwell, contra.

Opinion:
Garland, J.
delivered the opinion of the court.
This suit is brought to recover the balance alleged to be due on a promissory note, made by defendant to the order of Two-good and by him endorsed. The defendant answered, the note was given to secure the payment of a portion of the price of a lot of ground which, the plaintiff and others had sold him, warranting it free from all incumbrances and liens. He further says the lot is subject to a claim and lien for about $173 which the Corporation of New-Orleans has for paving the streets and side-walks, in front and rear of it, for which a suit has been instituted in the City Court. This sum he pleads in compensation and reconvention.
After the cause was set for trial, the defendant obtained an order directing the Mayor of the city and the Comptroller of the general sinking fund, to produce in court on the day of trial "all the records of the city in their keeping, which show the date of the paving of the public road now called Front Levee street, also the date of the paving of Clinton street," together with the ordinances relating to paving said streets and laying a tax for the purpose. On the day of trial, the Comptroller appeared and stated, "the records set forth in and ealled for by the said subpoena were in his possession and under his,control, but that he was not able then to produce the same, his clerk having possession of the key of the safe in which they were keptj and he was absent;" whereupon the defendant moved for a continuance, which being refused, he took a bill of exception.
anee will not bé caúsela' public ofllcei'1S «ailed with his records at the moment of trial, records°WS are [°cke<i, U,P ®n<1 his clerk has the key and is absent at the time.
Where a {heS«c^rtstibe! j,nS satisfied that the plaintiff's claim is cor-rec{; ^ sufficient con-son^o^upport the judgment °f
We do not think the Judge erred in refusing the continuance, A party does not show sufficient diligence, by merely calling on a public officer to produce his records in court to enable him to make out his defence. He could have procured copies, if the documents were very material. He should have made something more of an effort to make out his case to be entitled to a continuance. The articles 141 and 474 of the Code of Practice authorize the courts to make orders on third persons, . . m particular cases to produce documents and papers, on the trial of a cause, but the party wishing to use them must show some effort to assist in getting the evidence, to be entitled to delay.
The defendant says the judgment must be reversed, as the Judge does not, according to the 12th section of the 4th article of the constitution refer to the law in virtue of which he gave 5 it, and adduce the reasons on which it is founded. It is stated "the court being satisfied that the plaintiff's claim is correct, order and decree," áte. An objection of this kilid, where it is not alleged or shows, that any injury has resulted, is not eü* titled to much favor. This court has decided that Where it is stated, "the plaintiff has made out his case by the law and evidence," it is a sufficient reason. — 11 La. Hep. 162. It has been further held, that saying "the jury have found a verdict in favor of the plaintiff" will be deemed valid and constitutional; 11 Idem, 565; and in 14 Idem, 435, it is said that if the judgment states it was "rendered on due proof of the allegations of plaintiff's petition in which the usual averments of demand, &c." are made, it will be sufficient. In this case the signature to' the note is not denied, nor has sufficient diligence been shown to establish the defence; and as it is admit ted the defendant is not without remedy, if1 he should be compelled to pay the tax he alleges is owing, we think his constitutional defence cannot avail him.
The judgment of the Parish Court is therefore affirmed with costs.