Venn v. . Coleman

Clarkson, J. Tbe question presented, as stated by plaintiffs; bas tbe court tbe power to allow a defendant to plead after service of summons in tbe manner provided by law for nonresidents: unless tbe court finds facts showing good cause and a meritorious defense upon proper and competent evidence? On tbe first proposition, we tbink on tbe record, tbe facts showed good cause and tbe clerk so found. On the second proposition, we tbink, on tbe record there must be set forth facts showing prima facie a valid defense which was shown in this case, and tbe clerk so found that tbe defendants bad a good meritorious defense. Tbe present case was brought after tbe decision of this Court in Coleman v. Vann, 205 N. C., 436. In this action, tbe service of summons was by publication — tbe time limit was 16 September, 1933, or within 30 days thereafter, to answer or demur to tbe complaint. Tbe defendant before judgment, made a motion on 20 October, 1933, before tbe clerk of tbe Superior Court of Franklin County, North Carolina, to file pleadings. Tbe motion was accompanied by affidavit of defendant *452 Coleman, setting forth that his home was in Washington, D. C., and that he instantly undertook to defend the action as soon as he heard of it, on 18 October, 1933; that he had a good and meritorious defense and set forth the facts showing same, and for other reasons. The order of the clerk, in part, is as follows: “The court further finds for the purpose of this order that the said defendant, James J. Coleman, has a good and meritorious defense to the plaintiffs’ alleged cause of action, and finds that for the purposes of this order the facts are as set forth in the affidavit which the said James J. Coleman has filed in this action. The court further finds and adjudges that good and sufficient cause has been shown by the defendant, James J. Coleman, for allowing him to defend this action and for making of this order, and that this order should be made; and hereupon, it is ordered and adjudged that the defendant, James J. Coleman, be and he is allowed to defend this action, and he shall be and is permitted within thirty days from this date to plead herein. Dated this 20 October, 1933.” We see no error in this order. C. S., 492; Burton v. Smith, 191 N. C., 599; Foster v. Allison Corporation, 191 N. C., 166; North Carolina Practice and Procedure in Civil Cases (McIntosh), sec. 654. In Montague v. Lampkin, 178 N. C., 270 (272), it is said: “It is also equally well settled that a judgment by default will not be set aside unless facts are alleged which, if true, would establish a defense. ‘The court having jurisdiction of the subject and the parties, there is a presumption in favor of its judgment, ■ and the burden of overcoming this presumption is with the party seeking to set aside the judgment. He must set forth facts showing prima facie a valid defense, and the validity of the defense is for the court and not with the party. Although there was irregularity in entering the judgment, yet unless the court can now see reasonably that defendants had a good defense, or that they could not make a defense that would affect the judgment, why should it engage in the vain work of setting the judgment aside now and then’ be called upon soon thereafter to render just such another between the same parties? To avoid this, the law requires that a prima facie valid defense must be set forth.’ Jeffries v. Aaron, 120 N. C., 169, approved in Miller v. Smith, 169 N. C., 210, and in other cases.” Garner v. Quakenbush, 187 N. C., 603; Holcomb v. Holcomb, 192 N. C., 504; Helderman v. Mills Co., 192 N. C., 626; Crye v. Stoltz, 193 N. C., 802; Bowie v. Tucker, 197 N. C., 671; Fellos v. Allen, 202 N. C., 375. In the present action, a prima facie defense was set forth by defendants and the clerk found that defendants had a good and meritorious defense. The plaintiff made certain exceptions and assignments of error to the order of the clerk and appealed to the Superior Court. The judgment of the court below, in part, is as follows: “It is ordered by the *453 court, in the exercise of its discretion, that the time for pleading by the said J ames J. Coleman be and is extended so as to permit the filing of said pleading, and said James J. Coleman is allowed to file said pleading and defend in this action, and that bis said pleading shall remain of record as heretofore filed. This 6 November, 1933. W. C. Harris, resident judge, etc.” It is not necessary to consider the order of Judge Harris, at the November Term, 1933, it was made by consent. We see no error in the judgment of the court below. We think the matter was in the sound discretion of the court below on appeal. C. S., 536; C. S., 637; McNair v. Yarboro, 186 N. C., 111; Howard v. Hinson, 191 N. C., 366; Manufacturing Co. v. Kornegay, 195 N. C., 373; Bell v. Tea Co., 201 N. C., 839; Goodman v. Goodman, 201 N. C., 808. The judgment of the court below is Affirmed.