Case Name: In re SPEAR et al.
Court: United States District Court for the District of Vermont
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1900-07-16
Citations: 103 F. 779
Docket Number: No. 116
Parties: In re SPEAR et al.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Reporter
Volume: 103
Pages: 779–779

Head Matter:
In re SPEAR et al.
(District Court, D. Vermont.
July 16, 1900.)
No. 116.
Bankruptcy — Discharge—Failure to Keep Boors.
Unless the failure of a bankrupt to keep books of account or records is found to have been “with fraudulent Intent 1o conceal his true financial condition and in contemplation of bankruptcy,” it cannot be made the ground for refusing him a discharge under Bankr. Act 1898, § 14b.
In Bankruptcy. On application of bankrupts for discharge.
William Batchelder, for bankrupts.
Warren O. French, for opposing creditors.

Opinion:
WHEELER, District Judge.
Not failure to keep books of account or records, merely, is a bar to a discharge, hut only such failure "with fraudulent intent to conceal his true financial condition and in contemplation of bankruptcy" is made such. Bankr. Act, § 14b. FTo such intent is found or alleged' here, or any other statutory cause. Without such, by the terms of the act, a discharge is required. So room is left for a refusal tor any other than statutory reasons, however salutary they might be claimed or thought to be. Discharges granted.