Schloss v. White
Schloss v. White
Opinion of the Court
Cope, J. concurring.
This was a suit brought on a Sheriff’s bond against the officer and his sureties. It seems that two of his sureties, Selby and Barr, were not served with process. The respondent contends that the mere failure of the record to show service on a defendant, is not matter for reversal, since, in a Court of general jurisdiction, the regularity of its proceedings is presumed. Some authorities are cited to sustain this view. But our practice has been different. While possibly, a judgment so obtained might not be impeached collaterally, (though see Parsons v. Davis, 3 Cal. 421) yet on appeal a judgment by default will be reversed, when the record shows no service of notice, and no appearance by the defendant. (2 Cal. 88; 10 Id. 511; 3 Id. Sup.) See also Whitwell v. Barbier (7 Id. 64) and cases cited on the briefs.
For this error the judgment must be reversed.
We are asked to pass upon the question involved in the record, which is presented by an agreed statement of facts.
It seems that plaintiff sued out attachment against one Kalkmann, and had it levied on some goods. Other creditors issued similar process, also levied on the same goods. Afterwards the plaintiff dismissed his proceeding, and claimed that the goods levied on, or a part of them, were his own property; they having been procured by Kalkmann by false pretenses. The plaintiff sued the Sheriff in replevin. He did not take the goods out of the Sheriff’s possession, but came to an arrangement with the Sheriff, whereby the Sheriff agreed to sell the goods, and keep the proceeds to answer the judgment, if the plaintiff obtained one in his replevin suit. The Sheriff sold the goods and paid the money into Court, saying nothing about this arrangement; and the money was paid, under the order of the Court, on the claim of the other creditors. The sureties of the Sheriff had nothing to do with, and gave no sanction to this arrangement. The question is, are they bound to the plaintiff for the goods or the money received from the sale—the plaintiff having oh
Judgment reversed and cause remanded.
Reference
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- SCHLOSS v. WHITE
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- On appeal, a judgment by default will be reversed, unless the record show service on the defendant, or appearance, though possibly a judgment so obtained could not be impeached collaterally. Cases cited. Plaintiff sued out an attachment against K., and the Sheriff levied it on certain goods. Other creditors issued attachments, which were levied by the Sheriff on the same goods. Plaintiff then dismissed his attachment, and sued the Sheriff in replevin, claiming that K. obtained a portion of the goods of plaintiff by fraud. Instead of taking the goods out of the Sheriff’s possession, plaintiff made an arrangement with the Sheriff, whereby he agreed to sell the goods, and keep the proceeds to answer any judgment plaintiff might obtain in his replevin suit. Sheriff sold the goods, paid the money into Court, saying nothing about this arrangement, and the money was paid, by order of Court, on the claims of the other creditors. The sureties of the Sheriff bad nothing to do with, and gave no sanction to the arrangement. Plaintiff had judgment in replevin: Held, that the sureties on the Sheriff’s official bond are not liable to plaintiff for the goods or the money received from the sale— this agreement between him and plaintiff being no part of the Sheriff’s official duty; that the Sheriff, as such, had no legal authority to sell these goods and to hold the money on bailment for plaintiff; and that, in so far as plaintiff trusted the Sheriff with the goods, and authorized him to sell them, ho became the agent of plaintiff, and must be looked to as such. Sureties on the Sheriff’s official bond in this State, stipulate for his official, not his “ personal dealings, and are entitled to stand on the precise terms of their contract.