United States v. Quantity of Distilled Spirits
United States v. Quantity of Distilled Spirits
Opinion of the Court
This is a motion by Henry Stubbin, one of the sureties or stipulators for value on the bond or stipulation given on the release of certain of the property seized in this suit to open the judgment entered against him herein, and to set aside the execution issued therein, as
Voluminous testimony has been taken, under an order of reference, in respect to the matters set up, as grounds for granting the motion. The result of a careful examination of such testimony leads to the undoubting conclusion, that, in respect to both of such grounds, the matters of fact alleged by Stub-bin are not proved. On the contrary, the evidence shows satisfactorily, that Stubbin knew, when he signed the bond, and when the man who called himself Michael Shafer signed the bond, that such man was not Michael Shafer, but was really Morris Brock-man, and permitted, and indeed himself procured, such man to represent himself to the officers of the government as Michael Shafer, and to execute the bond as Michael Shafer. This being so, such man was, to all intents and purposes, Michael Shafer, as against Stubbin and Stubbin’s liability on the bond.
As to the agreement with the officers in the district attorney’s office, the extent of it is evidenced by the written instructions given at the time by the district attorney to the marshal, which were only to the effect, that the marshal was to withdraw his keeper from the premises of Stubbin, and order such keeper to visit such premises occasionally, to see that all was right.
But, even if such agreement as set up were proved, it would not avail Stubbin, as a legal ground for the interposition of the court, The agreement set up is substantially a compromise of the claim against Stubbin. The enforcement of the claim was to be perpetually stopped in consideration of something to be done by Stubbin, other than paying the claim. The case being one arising under the internal revenue laws, and the suit having been commenced, no compromise of the case could be made without the concurrence of the commissioner of internal revenue, the secretary of the treasury and the attorney general. Act July 20. 1868, § 102 (15 Stat. 166); 12 Op. Attys. Gen. U. S. 536, 552.
The motion is denied, and the stay of proceedings must be vacated.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- UNITED STATES v. QUANTITY OF DISTILLED SPIRITS
- Status
- Published