Ross v. Hicks

Hand J. There is no doubt as to the equity in this case. Hicks turned out the horse upon which the constable made tho levy. He could not afterwards take the horse from the officer, by pretending he was mistaken as to the law. But that is not important now, for he sued Ross notwithstanding, and got judgment for about $60, which is conclusive as to the right. He then immediately went to the depositary and got the overplus of the money before tendered to him, and which was raised by the sale of the same property. This he says he did by the advice of counsel and “ as a matter of prudence and now leaving his debt unpaid, is endeavoring to enforce the whole of this judgment. After the sale, and return of the execution by the constable satisfied, he could riot, because of the recovery for the property by Hicks, make a supplementary return of that fact, that would revive the judgment. Sor could the justice, it seems, make the amendment. (Piper v. Elwood, 4 Denio, 165.) And I am inclined to think Ross could not file a transcript while the judgment was prima facie satisfied. If the judgment in such case can be made a lien upon land at all, it must be by filing a transcript of the judgment, execution and return, and then procuring the county court to amend the return, &c. But I have no doubt that the proper court, notwithstanding this return, could and should set off these judgments, and also apply the overplus money. In truth the judgment against Hicks is not paid, (Piper v. Elwood, supra,) and these applications are to the discretion and equitable jurisdiction of the [484] court; and where the facts are admitted and the court has jurisdiction, justice should be done if it can be, without violating any plain rule of practice. Hicks admits that he turned out the property that was sold, that he afterwards recovered for the same and then received the overplus money There is no dispute about facts; so there is no intricacy or complexity, and the case does not come within the principle of Harris v. Palmer, (5 Barb. 105.) But there is an insuperable difficulty in the way of the motion. It has long been the practice to set off one judgment against another, in a proper case. And this, where they are in different courts, if the parties are interested in the respective judgments in the same right, and the judgment is conclusive, and the rights of the parties are not doubtful, complicated or intricate. (Barb. on Set-off, 36. 1 Burr. Pr. 281. Mont. on Set-off, 67, and notes. Schermerhorn v. Schermerhorn, 3 Caines, 190. Brewerton v. Harris, 1 John. 144. Bristowe v. Needham, 7 M. & G. 648. Bridges v. Smith, 8 Bing. 29.) And this rule extends to a judgment in a justice’s court. (Ewen v. Terry, 8 Cowen, 126. Kimball v. Munger, 2 Hill, 364. Story v. Patten, 3 Wend. 331. Harris v. Palmer, supra.) But the motion must be made in the court where the judgment against the moving party was obtained. (Cooke v. Smith, 7 Hill, 186. Brewerton v. Harris, 1 John. 144. People v. New-York C. P. 13 Wend. 652. Dunken v. Vandenburgh, 1 Paige, 624.) Hicks having filed a transcript with the clerk of the county of Clinton, the Clinton county court has full power, whether the judgment in favor of Ross be considered in that court or not. (2 R. S. 254, § 166. Code of 1849, §§ 30, 63, 64.) If the judgment to be enforced against the moving party be in another court, an order in his favor could not be enforced except by attachment. The ground of interference in these cases is “ the general jurisdiction of the court over the Suitors in it.” (Lord Kenyon in Mitchell v. Oldfield, 4 T. R. 123.) Neither of the parties in this case are suitors in this court; nor are either of the judgments in this court. And they can not be set off here; certainly not on motion. Mr. Justice [485] Welles, in Harris v. Palmer, did not observe upon this rule, but that was not necessary, as he denied the motion on other grounds. [Clinton Special Term, July 14, 1851. Hand Justice.] Of course it becomes unnecessary to decide whether affidavits of jurors can be used to explain the principles upon which they find a verdict. (Graham on N. T. 111 et seq.) The motion must be denied with costs, but without prejudice to the right of Ross to move in the Clinton county court.