Case Name: George C. Carter, Resp't, v. Emily P. Beckwith et al., Adm'rs, App'lts
Court: New York Supreme Court, General Term
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1890-07-01
Citations: 32 N.Y. St. Rep. 880
Docket Number: 
Parties: George C. Carter, Resp’t, v. Emily P. Beckwith et al., Adm’rs, App’lts.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York State Reporter
Volume: 32
Pages: 880–880

Head Matter:
George C. Carter, Resp’t, v. Emily P. Beckwith et al., Adm’rs, App’lts.
(Supreme Court, General Term, Fourth Department
Filed July 1, 1890.)
Lunatics — Costs in proceedings to set aside commission.
An attorney who in good faith takes proceedings, upon behalf of a. lunatic, to set aside a commission in lunacy, may, in the discretion of the court, be awarded taxable costs. (Martin, J., dissents.)
Appeal from judgment on report of referee in Onondaga, county.
John Lansing, for app’lts ; P. C. J. PeAngelis, for resp’t

Opinion:
Hardin, P. J.
I think the rule laid down by the chancellor in Matter of Conklin, a lunatic, 8 Paige, 450, should be applied in this case.
The court, as a matter of discretion, might have awarded taxable costs to the attorney who appeared and acted for the lunatic, and such award might have been given upon motion. Under the circumstances of this case, I am in favor of reversal and a new trial, unless the plaintiff shall stipulate to reduce the damages, and judgment therefor to the sum of $173.63, as of the date of the referee's report.
If such stipulation shall be given in twenty days, and filed with the clerk of Oneida county, then the judgment as so'reduced and modified should be affirmed, without costs to either party upon this appeal.
Merwin, J., concurs.