Court Opinion

ID: 7107478
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-24 12:22:33.356557+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:13:37.263201
License: Public Domain

Gtrang-er, J.
1 *6812 *680The case is before us on an assignment of errors. Appellee urges that it does not appear that there was an appeal, nor that the evidence is before us so that the assignments can be considered. As to the appeal, we think the showing sufficient. Evidently, to cure the defective showing as to the evidence, appellant filed an amendment to his abstract, which consists simply of a skeleton bill of exceptions signed by the trial judge. This in no way tends to show what the abstract contains. The question is not that the bill of exceptions is not sufficient, but what part of it appears in the abstract. On the last page of the amendment to the abstract is a certificate of the clerk of the court, that the printed abstract made by the appellant contains an abstract of all the evidence introduced in the cause as shown by the transcript of the evidence as made by the official shorthand reporter, which was on file in his office. The clerk of the court has no more concern with the abstract or its contents than any other third party. There is a presumption that an attorney who prepares an abstract knows or is competent to state, with prima facie effect, whether it is one of all the evidence in a case, and, where undenied, such statement is accepted as true. Clerks of courts are not, presumably, of like qualifications. An abstract of evidence is not all the evidence, but an abridgement or summarized statement of it in a way to present the essential part or the substance of it. It will not do to say that any person, in no way connected with the case, can make this statement, and bind parties to it. The clerk of the district court has no more to do with an abstract than any other third party. It is not a *681paper in any way pertaining to Ms office, nor one to the sufficiency of which he is authorized to certify, and hence his statement is of no greater significance than that of any other person. It is doubtful if this certificate could properly be regarded as a part of the abstract, as it appears disconnected from the rest. But, however that may be, it is entitled to no legal significance. It only needed the statement of counsel preparing the abstract that it was one of all the evidence, to render it sufficient, if not denied. The certificate contains no recitals showing knowledge of the facts stated, nor does it definitely refer to the abstract filed in the court. The assignment presents only the question of the correctness of the ruling holding .the proceeds of the certificate exempt from execution. The facts, as shown by the evidence, are essential for the consideration of that question. It does not appear but that evidence important to show such facts are omitted from the record. The judgment is affirmed.