People ex rel. Gould v. Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Dutchess

Headnote

An appv»; tíce^ófappéu may be deiivag6ent 'of the peal may be Pg¿t t0 hls

^surety on appeal, need by^^fustlce He may apof°thé 'surety before the bond is exe- and in-p°obationSaftm 10 daysaipeal, ap"

The defendants returned to an alternative mandamus, commanding them to set aside a rule quashing an .appeal, &c., or show cause, &c., that, at the February term of the Dutchess C. P. 1827, an appeal from a justice’s court by Gould and others, appellants, and Husted, appellee, called on to be tried. That, according to the return of the justice, the cause was tried before him, November 4th, 1826 ; and on the 8th he rendered judgment. That *the appeal bond bore date the 16th of November, 1826; and the approval of the surety indorsed by the justice, was dated the 25th of that month.

That upon this return and bond, the appellee’s counsel moved to quash the appeal, on the ground that it was apparent from the date of the approval, that the bond could not have been delivered to the justice within the 10 days . , . . J aiter judgment. That the justice and another were examined as witnesses; from whom it appeared, that on the day judgment was rendered, the counsel for the lants informed the justice that they would probably appeal, The justice then told the appellants, that he was shortly going a journey, and should probably not return till after the 10 days; but the defendants could have the appeal bond executed, and deliver it, with the notice of appeal, to his wife, to whom the costs might be paid. The surety in the appeal bond was also then proposed to, and approved by the justice, who promised to indorse his approval on his return. The justice left instructions accordingly with his wife ; and all except the indorsement were done within the 10 days. But the justice having gone the journey, did not return and make the indorsement till the 25th.

The G. P. quashed the appeal.

now moved for a peremptory mandamus.

They said, the justice ought not, by his absence, to be allowed to embarrass parties in exercising the right of apBut here was a return made. The C. P. cannot Tuash because the notice is defective or too late. That is a question for the justice only. He may waive all advantage of the omission; and has done so in this instance. (3 Cowen, 379.) The justice’s wife was made the agent for receiving the notice, bond and costs; and delivering them to an agent was a substantial compliance with the the statute. Ho matter when the justice indorses his approval. It may be done after the 10 days. (2 Cowen, 506.) The act *is directory to him; and his omission should not prejudice the party. (3 Cowen, 372.)

A party shall not be heard on appeal, unless he comply strictly with the terms of the statute. (4 Cowen, 80.) The bond should be delivered and the costs paid to the justice personally. (6 Cowen, 61, 69.) The justice could not, by any arrangement with the appellants, or their attorney, approve of the surety before the bond was in existence.