Court Opinion

ID: 5564545
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-11 00:57:28.971931+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:35:34.412876
License: Public Domain

*30
Judgment affirmed.

On November 16, came on to be heard an application for relief from the restraining order, but before its presentation, the plaintiffs presented a petition alleging that Tillotson had paid out the money contrary to the order of the court, and asking for an attachment against him for violation of the order. On November 17 the court ordered that Tillotson make answer to this charge at the regular hearing on November 18, and show cause why he should not be attached for contempt in violating the court’s orders. After some continuances the hearing was had on November 27. The defendants demurred upon the ground that the petition showed that plaintiffs relied upon an illegal contract to sustain their action, and to determine their rights the court would be called upon to decide the validity of a contract admitted to be illegal. The answer of Tillotson to the rule to show cause as to the contempt, stated, among other things, that by reason of the restraining order he refused to pay the pools at the time for their payment, and sacredly guarded his trust and the order of the court, and while he did pay out pools in his hands he had not the slightest intention of disregarding the order; that he was not guilty of any contempt; that he was simply an employee working for commission on the business transacted, and for that reason had no motive to have paid the money held in his hands as a póol-seller ; and that the fact of his paying out the pools should not be construed into any feeling of contempt or disregard that he had for the orders of the court, and he is willing, as he has always been, to carry out any decree that the court might find against him. The judge held up his decision until December 5, when he passed an order continuing as to Tillotson the restraining order of November 14, stating that he would not do this but for the position maintained by plaintiffs’ counsel, that the facts set forth in their petition made the transaction a gambling contract, and allowed them to recover from defendants the money wagered upon the horse-race.
On December 8 the plaintiffs filed their petition alleging that Tillotson was a non-resident of the State, and insolvent; and praying for an order requiring Mm to pay over to such person as the court might name, the money in question, or give good and sufficient bond to plaintiffs for -payment of it upon the final determination of the suit. On December 9, in aid of the restraining order and in Anew of the allegations made in the last petition, the judge passed an ex parte order requiring Tillotson to pay the money to the clerk of the superior court or give bond to answer any judgment that might be obtained in the case; and stating that “he is allowed five days from the date of this order to comply with its terms, orto deny its allegations of non-residence or insolvency, but in default of either, to be held in contempt of court.” It being made to appear to the court that Tillotson was absent from the State for the purpose of bringing his family to become permanent residents here, the court passed an order reciting that, there being a misapprehension by the attorney of Til-lotson as to the scope of the order granted December 9, in this, that it Avas only necessary to show residence in Richmond county to revoke the same, and the order upon its face possibly admitting of such construction, it was set aside, and in lieu thereof Tillotson was required to show cause on December 31 why each and every prayer in the petition should not be granted. On December 31, upon hearing, an order was passed directing Tillotson to pay the money to the clerk, or file with him a good and sufficient bond for the payment of the final judgment in the case, by or before twelve o’clock on January 1, 1892, unless he desired to make answer before that time, in which event he was permitted to make answer instanter why he should not be attached for contempt. Thereupon Tillotson answered: He has not the money, does not know where to get it, and is unable to procure any bond though he has made every effort to do so. When first served with the restraining order he sacredly guarded its commands and refrained from violating them. This he continued to do until late in the night of November 14, when he was informed by-Hull and Lyons, officers of the club, in whose intelligence to understand and integrity to correctly and honestly advise he had the utmost confidence, that the judge had told them to instruct him that he need pay no further attention to the restraining order, that the judge would revoke the order on the next day and would interfere no further in the matter; and they told him he could and should pay out the funds held by him as pool-seller. This he did, though it was more to his interest to have retained them, as he was simply working on a commission ’ with absolutely no interest as. to who might receive them. He intended no contempt to the orders of the court or any disregard therefor, but his conduct was guided by the determination to abide strictly by the orders of the court.
The order for attachment was refused, because (1) the rule now of force is one to require the payment of the money into coui’t or to give bond for the eventual condemnation money, and not a rule to show cause why Tillotson should not be discharged ; (2) the rule is not issued against any of the other defendants who are amenable to the process if the rule should be made absolute against Tillotson ; (3) it appears as a matter of fact that there was no intention on the part of Tillotson to disobey the order of court, he believing that the restraining order had really been revoked; and (4) that in paying out the money he acted pursuant to the order of his superior officers who are themselves responsible in the premises, if a liability or- responsibility rests on either.
Fleming & Alexander, for plaintiffs.
O. H. Cohen, for defendant.