Midgett v. . Vann

Beown, J. There were seven actions brought in the Superior Court of Dare County against Thomas S. Meekins, former fish commissioner, to enjoin him from removing certain fish nets from the waters in which they were set, upon the ground that they were not set within prohibited territory. The present de *129 fendant, 0. S. Yann, succeeded Meekins as fish commissioner and took bis place as defendant in said actions. Tbe cases were considered together and heard by his Honor, Judge Justice, who continued the restraining order to the hearing. Defendant Yann appealed. This appeal was dismissed at August Term, 1911, for failure upon part of defendant, appellant, to have the record printed, as required by the rule of this Court, and the judgment of the Supreme Court required defendant to pay costs of appeal. At May Term, 1911, of the Superior Court plaintiffs submitted to a judgment of nonsuit. There was a motion for judgment for damages, which was heard by a referee, whose judgment was affirmed by the Superior Court. The defendant claims damages as shown by the report: 1. For $6.35, cost in the Supreme Court, and which was adjudged against the defendant by this Court at August Term, 1911. 2. For $12.50, expenses of the fish commissioner in attending the hearing of the cases. 3. Two hundred dollars attorney fees in the cases. There were seven of these actions brought, and it was agreed that all should abide the decision of one case. The referee held: 1. That the defendant was entitled to recover back the $6.35 cost: 2. That the defendant is entitled to recover the $12.50 personal expenses of the defendant in attending the hearings. The court overruled both exceptions and gave judgment against plaintiffs. Plaintiff excepted. The referee refused to allow defendant attorney fees. Defendant excepted. Court overruled defendant’s exceptions. 1. The ruling of the court that the defendant is entitled to recover back the costs taxed against the defendant by the judgment of the Supreme Court is erroneous. That judgment was final, and could only be corrected or reversed by this Court. To permit defendant to recover back costs of his dismissed appeal would in effect nullify the judgment of this Court. *130 2. Tbe defendant is not entitled to recover tbe sran paid as personal expenses in attending tbe bearing upon tbe injunction before Judge Justice. A party to an action is not entitled to recover bis personal expenses in attending court. Hyman v. Devereux, 65 N. C., 589. Tbe only damages recoverable upon an injunction bond given in pursuance of our statute, Revisal, 817, are sucb damages as may be sustained by tbe party enjoined by reason of tbe injunction. Hyman v. Devereux, supra. There is no evidence tbat defendant Vann bas sustained any damages because be was not allowed to remove plaintiff's nets from tbe disputed waters, and, therefore, be can recover nothing upon tbe injunction bond. Upon plaintiff’s appeal bis Honor’s rulings confirming report of referee are Reversed. defendant’s appeal. Tbe defendant assigns error because tbe court below sustained tbe ruling of tbe referee refusing to allow counsel fees to defendant. Attorneys’ fees are not recoverable as costs or damages in cases like this in our State. Formerly a tax fee of $5 and in some cases $10 in tbe Superior Court, and $15 in this Court, were taxable as costs in favor of tbe successful party. But they were abolished by statute in 1871. In many States attorneys’ fees are allowed to tbe successful litigant, but it is not so in this State and some others, nor in tbe Federal courts. Ry Co. v. Elliott, 184 U. S., 530; Hyman v. Devereux, supra; Stringfield v. Hirsh, 94 Tenn., 425. Tbe ojoinion in this latter case is an elaborate discussion of tbe subject and gives tbe States where attorneys’ fees are recoverable and those where they are not, placing North Carolina in tbe last-named class. See, also, Donlan v. Trust Co., 139 N. C., 212. Tbe judgment on defendant’s appeal is Affirmed.-