Court Opinion

ID: 6401606
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-06-25 00:33:10.146454+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:51:03.997313
License: Public Domain

Opinion delivered, May 2, 1874, by
Allison, P. J.
This was action of replevin, in which double costs are claimed for fees of witnesses. Upon the trial of the cause the verdict was for the defendant, his bill of costs has been allowed by the prothono-tary. The cause went in favor of the defendant, upon the questions of law which were submitted to the court, upon the plaintiff closing his case, .and none of the witnesses for whom costs are claimed were examined before the jury.
*168The most important of the exceptions taken to those costs is, that the attendance was voluntary, except as to one witness, who was duly subpoenaed.
There seems to be no reason to question the good faith of the defendant, in procuring the attendance of his witnesses at the trial; he expected to be called on to make a defence to the case as presented by plaintiff, it was his duty, therefore, toi come to the contest prepared with his witnesses, ready to be called, and he might, with good reason, have anticipated that the cause would turn mainly upon a question of fact, as to a, right of way along a court or ally which plaintiff alleged had been acquired by uninterrupted user of twenty-one years.
In De Benneville v. De Benneville, 1 Binney, 46, it was held, that a witness subpoenaed, though not examined, or if examined, though not subpoenaed, has a right to be paid, and that a party has a right to call as many witnesses as he thinks are necessary to make out his case. The-court will protect against oppression by needless multiplication of witnesses. This cannot be successfully charged in this case ; the witnesses were five in number, four of whom attended court for five days, and one for four-days.
This case differs from the rule laid down in De Benneville v. De Benne-ville, in the fact that there was here, as to four of the witnesses, no service-of the subpoena. But it is also the fact that a sub; ccna was taken cut, the-names of the witnesses inserted in it, and that personal service was waived when about to be made, and that they attended court after they were informed that a subpoena had been taken out for them. Fraud, oppression, or the slightest want of good faith has not been suggested. The fee-bill gives compensation to witnesses for daily attendance upon court; it does not say anything about attendance in obediance to subpoena; if subpoenaed there is an additional allowance for cost of service; this is necessary to enable a party to compel attendance. The defendant being liable to these witnesses, for their cost, is entitled to the bill ss it has. been taxed.
Exceptions dismissed and taxation confirmed.