Commonwealth ex rel. Freytag v. Commissioners of Philadelphia County

Tilghman C. J. delivered judgment. By the act 23d September 1791, the county pays the costs on all bills returned ignoramus by-the grand jury, and also in all cases where any person "is convicted of an offence punished capitally, or by imprisonment at hard labour, if the defendant hath not property sufficient to discharge the same. By the act 20th March 1797, the county pays costs on all bills of indictment found by the grand jury, where the defendant is acquitted by the petty jury. The commissioners have doubts whether Mr. Freytag is entitled to costs as a witness, being as they suppose obliged to attend the court as a justice. It is his duty to attend the court for the purpose of returning his recognizances &c., but no further. This may be done in one day; only one day therefore should be deducted from his costs as a witness. It is not necessary that he should have been subpoenaed. If he was under recognizance, or even requested by the attorney general or his deputy to attend as a witness, it is sufficient. [398] The county is not to pay costs in case, of conviction, if the defendant has property. It is the duty of the officers to make enquiry for property before they charge the county. But ^ they know of no property, they may- resort to the county. ^ *s dlrty °f the commissioners also to make enquiry for property, and if they find reasonable cause for supposing that there is property, the officers on being informed of this, should in the first place endeavour to procure payment from this property. With regard to Mr. Frey tag's present demand, no cause is shewn to the Court which can induce them to think that any of the convicts have property. We are therefore of opinion, that the rule for the mandamus should be made absolute. Rule absolute.