Webster v. Smith

Per Curiam, The principle established in Campbell v. Sloan, 62 Pa. 481, and recognized in many subsequent cases, is that “a security given in payment or discharge of an usurious contract is equally void with that. The original taint attaches to all consecutive obligations growing out of the original usurious transaction, and none of the descendant obligations can be free from it if descent can be traced.” When the consideration of a confessed judgment is made up in part of usury, no matter in what form it may be disguised, the court will ordinarily open the judgment and afford relief. Notwithstanding the suggestion of appellant’s counsel we find no clear evidence in this case as now presented which would estop the defendants from claiming such relief. The opinion filed by the learned judge below shows quite clearly that there was ample evidence to sustain the defendants’ contention that the consideration of the judgment was made up, in part at least, of usury. Therefore no error was committed in opening it and permitting the defendants to defend before a jury to the extent that such usury and actual payments go in reducing the indebtedness. The order is affirmed and appeal dismissed at the costs of the appellant.