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12 N.C. 291

Watts v. Scott

Supreme Court of North Carolina

Decided December 15, 1827

Supreme Court of North Carolina · decided 1827-12-15

<p>1 he act of 1802, c. 29, regulating the town of Hillsborough, enables the Treasurer of the Corporation to sue, in his o\vn name, for penalties incurred under the by-laws authorised by that act, as well as for those incurred under the act itself.</p>

Decided 1827-12-15

Ham, Judge.

¶1The by-law under which the penalty in question is claimed, is not stated in the case ; but we are told that the Plaintiff founds his right to sue for it, under the 5th section of' the act of 1802, c. 29.. That section declares, that “ it shall be the duty of said Treasurer, in his own name, to sue for and recover all forfeitures which shall accrue under this or any other act ■heretofore passed.”

¶2Now the penalty sought to be recovered, is not a penalty accruing for a direct breach of the act itself, as where the Constable refuses to execute a warrant, or process, directed to him from the Magistrate of Police ; but I think, by a liberal construction, it is a penalty accruing under the act. If the Commissioners are authorised to make by laws, (which is not disputed,) no doubt penalties are imposed for a breach of them, and such penalties indirectly accrue finder the provisions of the act which gave the power of imposing them, although they accrued directly under the by-law. No inconvenience can result from this construction of the act. The case is substantially within its meaning. — I therefore think, the nonsuit should be set aside, and a new trial granted.

¶3Per Curiam. — Judgment reversed, and a new trial ' granted.

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