Case Name: Alexander Wass vs. William S. Bartlett
Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
Jurisdiction: Massachusetts
Decision Date: 1858-03
Citations: 10 Gray 490
Docket Number: 
Parties: Alexander Wass vs. William S. Bartlett.
Judges: 
Reporter: Massachusetts Reports
Volume: 76
Pages: 490–490

Head Matter:
Alexander Wass vs. William S. Bartlett.
A defendant arrested on mesne process, and refused the poor debtors’ oath, is entitled to give a bail bond under St. 1857, c. 141, § 22.
Habeas corpus. The petitioner was arrested on mesne process and taken before a magistrate under St. 1857, c. 141, § 21, who refused to administer to him the poor debtors’ oath. Upon being committed to jail, he offered to give a bail bond, which was refused, and this writ was sued out.
A. S. Wheeler, for the petitioner.
B. Dean, for the creditor.

Opinion:
By the Court.
The provision of St. 1857, c. 141, § 21, that a debtor arrested on mesne process, and carried before a magistrate, and by him refused the poor debtor's oath, and committed to jail, shall be " there kept until final judgment in the suit in which he was arrested," is qualified by the subsequent provision " unless he shall " do one of certain acts, one of which is giving a bail bond according to § 22.
Prisoner discharged.