Case Name: John F. Roumage vs. The Mechanics Insurance Company
Court: New Jersey Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New Jersey
Decision Date: 1830-09
Citations: 12 N.J.L. 95
Docket Number: 
Parties: *John F. Roumage vs. The Mechanics Insurance Company.
Judges: 
Reporter: New Jersey Law Reports
Volume: 12
Pages: 109–111

Head Matter:
*John F. Roumage vs. The Mechanics Insurance Company.
The court will not impose upon a party applying for a commission to examine witnesses out of the State, the terms of payment of costs to his adversary.
Motion for security for costs overruled.
Scudder, on behalf of the defendant,
applied for a commission to examine witnesses who resided out of the state, and read an affidavit, stating that William Henry and William Humphrey, at present residing in the town 'of Broobville, county of Franklin and 'State of Indiana, were material witnesses for the Mechanics Fire Insurance Company, the defendants; that the said com-pany have not been informed as to the residence of either of the above named persons, until since the last term of this court, and with respect to the said William Humphrey, not until the 25th of August, 1830.
J. J. Chetwood objected to the application,
on the ground that a delay had already taken place, in consequence of a. former commission granted to the company not having been returned as soon as it should have been; and further insisted that if the application was granted it should be on payment of the costs already incurred by the plaintiff.
Frelinghuysen replied.

Opinion:
By the Court.
We discern no ground to suppose that this application is designed for delay. The defendants, as is shewn by the affidavit, have not been able to ascertain the present residence of two material witnesses, until since the last term of this court. An opportunity to examine them ought to be given.
With regard to the payment of the costs of the plaintiff', which we are asked to impose upon the defendants as a condition of granting the commission. The language of the act, " That it shall be lawful for the court on such terms as the court shall direct, to award a commission," &c., Rev. Laws, 437, .sec. 1, applies, we apprehend, to the time in which the commission shall be returned, and to a variety of other matters; but does not authorize the imposition of costs. We know no practice in this or any other court to warrant it.
Scudder, then applied to the court to compel the plaintiff to file security for costs, and read an affidavit stating, " that the plaintiff has left this state and now resides out of the same."
*Chetwood objected that the application was too late, being after issue joined. Rev. Laws, 423, sec'. 73.
By the Coukt. The affidavit does not shew that the plaintiff has left the state since the issue was joined; nor that the present application might not have been made at the usual time; nor any excuse for the omission then to make it.
Motion denied.