Court Opinion

ID: 5514995
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-10 04:28:49.578266+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:34:16.566971
License: Public Domain

By the Court,

Bronson, J.
Where, as in this case, different parties to a bill or note are sued in one action, an affidavit made by one of the parties that the defendants have a good defence on the merits, is not sufficient for the other *126party. This has been repeatedly adjudged, though there is no, reported case on " the point. The maker may have a good defence while the right of action against the endorser is unquestionable. Had the affidavit stated that the defence of the maker .and endorser was the same it would perhaps have been sufficient. Ontario Bank v. Baxter, 6 Cowen, 395.
In actions under this statute it has also been held, that where one of several parties to the note or bill files an affidavit of merits at the circuit, the plaintiff may sever the action and proceed against the other party. Statutes of 1835, p. 248, § 2. The language of the statute is that there may be a severance where the trial or hearing is put off by any of the parties to the bill or note. When the cause is noticed as an inquest, filing an affidavit of merits has the effect of putting off the trial or hearing, and we think the statute should be liberally construed in favor of the right of the plaintiff to sever the action whenever he meets with an obstacle to his progress, which is not common to all the parties sued on the instrument.
It appeared by the circuit roll filed that the action was against the maker'and endorser of a note, and I think it was not necessary for the plaintiff to make up a new and separate circuit roll against the endorser before proceeding to take an inquest against him. Proper suggestions on the judgment record will show that all was regular.
Motion denied.