Bates v. Sutherland

The judgment must be reversed. The evidence contained in the return does not prove that the toll gatherer claimed or demanded toll not authorizedby law; and it is difficult to discover on what ground the plaintiff below sought to charge the defendant. The summons appears to be for a penalty of 25 dollars ; but it is not stated, either in the summons or declaration, under what statute the claim is founded. No such penalty is given in the act establishing the Dutchess turnpike company, passed April 5th, 1802. There is a penalty of 2 dollars, given against the toll gatherer who shall demand and receive more toll than is allowed by the law. The verdict was probably founded on that part of the act, and on the consideration that two penalties had been incurred yet, this could not make the verdict 4 dollars . and 25 cents. If the action is for the recovery of a penalty, the proof should show satisfactorily that a penally had been incurred, which it certainly does not. Under the act incorporating this company, persons going to, and returning from, mill with grain or flour, for their family use, are exempt*511ed from paying toll. But it is very evident that the plaintiff when returning from the mill with shingles in his waggon, did not come within this exemption, although he might also have had grist. This would be sanctioning a fraud upon the act, and would be contrary to what has been frequently held by this court, to be the true construction of these and similar exemptions in turnpike acts. (7 Johns. Rep. 185. 9 Johns. Rep. 356.) The judgment must accordingly be reversed.

Judgment Reversed.