Court Opinion

ID: 4932336
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-09-24 01:09:35.16412+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:14:32.015329
License: Public Domain

The Chief Justice drew the following dissenting opinion with the assent of the other non-concurring justices.
AppletoN, C. J.
This is an action of assumpsit on account annexed for seine sold the defendant.
. It appears, there was a firm of Appley & Mills, of which the defendant was a member. As no plea in abatement has been filed, the suit may be maintained against the defendant.
By the testimony of Appley the seine was to be furnished by Mills. Appley testifies that he had the seine before receiving the letters of his partner of July 14, 1870, and that it went into the possession of Mills. As there was a firm, and the books were kept in the name of Appley & Mills, and the seine was in their hands and used by them, no reason is perceived why they should not pay for it.
The defendant is not a witness. If he could controvert the statements of his partner, it is to be presumed he would have done so.
The case is submitted under the agreement that the defendant is to be defaulted, if on the foregoing evidence the jury would be authorized to find a verdict for plaintiffs; otherwise, to stand for trial.
The parties had a right to make their own agreement. In the one made there is nothing unusual or peculiar.
If the plaintiff has made out a case, a default is to be entered. We think he has, and that a default should be entered.

Defendant defaulted.

Cuttihg and Dickerson, JJ., concurred.