Alston v. Graves

GOLDTI1 WAITE, J. In the cases of Goodwin v. Wood, [January Term, 1843,] and Branch Bank at Montgomery v. Parker, [June Term, 1843,] we held that the proceedings under the act providing more effectually for discoveries in suits at com- . mon law, ]Clay’s Digest, 341, § 160,] was chiefly to be governed by the rules which obtain in courts of equity in relation to bills for discovery; and, in the former case, we considered interrogatories as in the nature of a fishing bill, when neither their subject matter, nor the affidavit of the party, showed the subject of inquiry to be within the knowledge of the person from whom an answer was required. In the present case, the interrogatories, when taken in connexion with the declaration, obviously create the impression that the entire subject matter of inquiry is within the knowledge of the party who is called on to answer them ; but conceding this is sufficiently shown, the further question arises, whether the plaintiffs are entitled to a discovery in relation to matters of fact which are not alleged as difficult or incapable of proof by witnesses in the ordinary mode. We are aware that it has been held in several cases, that if a bill seeks discovery in aid of the jurisdiction of a court of law, it ought to appear that such aid is required. If a court of law can compel the discovery, a court of equity will not interfere; and, it has been said, that when facts, which depend upon the testimony of witnesses, can be procured or proved at law, a court of equity [177] ought not to interfere to delay the cause. [Gelser v. Hoyt, 1 J. C. 547.] And bills for discovery and injunctions to stay proceed-' ings at law, have been held defective when they did not aver that the defence could not be established at law without the aid of the discovery sought. [Legget v. Postly, 2 Paige 601; Seymour v. Seymour, 4 J. C. 411.] , However this may be with respect to bills for discovery and injunction to stay proceedings at law, until the discovery, it is certain that no such doctrine can be found in the elementary treatises, or in the English cases, when considering the right to a discovery in aid only of a suit or defence at law. Mitford lays down the rule in these words: The plaintiff may require this discovery, either because he cannot prove the facts, or in aid of proof to avoid expense. [Mitford on Plead. 207.] Lord Hardwick, in 1741, in Brownlow v. Gamal, [2 Atk. 240,] says,- a plaintiff is entitled, not only to have discovery in matters which he cannot prove, but of such matters as may be of use and relief to him in recovering his title. Again, in 1751, in Lord Montague v. Dudman, [2 Vesey, 375,] he says, a bill of discovery lies here to aid the proceeding in some suit relating to a civil right in a court of common law. And, afterwards, [in Finch v.Finch, ib. 392,] he insists, that every plaintiff is entitled to have' a discovery from defendants, on two heads: to enable him to have a decree, and to ascertain facts material to his case, either' because he cannot prove, or in aid of proof; for a man may be entitled to an answer of what he can prove to avoid expense.Judge Story, in a note to his work on Equity Pleadings, after citing the New York cases, which seem to sustain a different course of practice, distinguishes them as being bills praying injunctions of the suits at law', as well as discovery; and admits the rule is otherwise when the bill is for discovery only in aid of a suit or defence at law. [Story’s Equity Plead. 260, n. 1.] We feel authorized, then, to come to the conclusion, that, under this statute, it is no objection to the discovery sought, that it is not shown that the knowledge of the facts rests solely with the party, and that it is immaterial that they can be proved by other witnesses. These considerations show that there is no substantial defect in the affidavit ahd interrogatories, and the court properly enough defaulted the defendant for his failure to answer the interrogatories. [178] 2. With respect to the subsequent action of the court, in admitting the account to the jury without evidence, and the charge? to the jury, we remark, that it is certainly erroneous. The act referred to does not, either directly or by implication, warrant the idea that the effect of a decree pro confesso, was intended to result from a refusal or neglect to answer within the time allowed by the statute. It provides very distinctly what shall be done, if there is a failure to answer, or, if the answer is evasive. Thé court may attach the party, and compel him to answer in open court. It may continue the cause, and require more direct and explicit answers ; or, if the defendant is the party who fails to answer, his pleas may be stricken out, and a judgment given against him as by default; and, if he is the plaintiff, may order his suit to be dismissed with costs. Beyond the action thus indicated, there is no authority to act; and, consequently, the court erred in charging the jury, that the account must be considered as established by the default and the refusal to answer. Judgment reversed, and cause remanded.