Boley v. Griswold
Boley v. Griswold
Opinion
delivered the opinion óf the court.
It is true.that' under the Civil Practice Act of Montana there can be no judgment for the value if there can be a delivery of the property-, but it is'not true that a judgment is necessarily erroneous if'the alternative is not expressed upon its face. The court must be satisfied that the delivery cannot be made before it can adjudge absolutely the payment of money.' But, if so satisfied, it may so adjudge. A special- finding to that ' effect is not' necessary. An absolute judgment for the money is equivalent to such a finding.
In one part of this record it appears that the verdict was for this return of the property, .or, in case that could not be made, for $3000, the value, a,nd $800 ' damages' for the detention. The judgment was for the money, and the pre *488 sumption is, in the absence of anything in the record to the contrary, that before it was rendered the court had become judicially satisfied-that the property could not be returned. In a court of error every presumption is in favor of the validity of the judgment brought under consideration. Error must appear affirmatively before there can be a reversal. •
Judgment affirmed.
Reference
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- In ati action in the courts of the Territory of .Montana for the'recovery of the possession of personal property — the code of civil procedure in which Territory provides that the judgment in such an action may be for the possession of tne property, or the valu.o thereof in ease a delivery cannot, be had, and damages for the detention — while it is true that there can be no judgment for the value if there can be a delivery of the property, yet it is not true that a judgment is necessarily erroneous if the alternative is not expressed upon its face. The court must be satisfied that the delivery cannot be made before it can adjudge absolutely the payment of money. But, if so satisfied, it may so adjudge. A. special finding that á delivery cannot be made is not necessary. An absolute judgment for the money is equivalent to such a finding.