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22 S.C.L. 287

Bennet v. Carter

Court of Appeals of South Carolina

Decided February 14, 1837

Court of Appeals of South Carolina · decided 1837-02-14

Tried before his Honor Judge Gantt, Charleston, May Term, 1886. Report of the Presiding Judge. — The defendant purchased certain negros at vendue, and the terms of sale were not complied with ; the negroes were, therefore, resold, and the price, at which they were bid off, fell short of the former sale by $100. And this action was brought to recover the difference between the first and last sale. See 2d vol. of Brevard, p. 325, 7th and 8th sections.

Decided 1837-02-14

Mr. Justice Butler

¶1delivered the opinion of the court.

¶2The motion tor a new trial must be granted. The plaintiff; A vendue roaster, had the right under the vendue act, to bring this action ; but he occupies the position of every other plaintiff on record,- and cannot be a witness in his own cause, unless he comes within the provisions of a special act of the legislature giving him such fight. He has shewn no such law. He has an interest in the result of this case, which every party has, who is liable for costs. He is not a nominal, but a real party interested, and not like an Ordinary or other public officer, whose name is used to bring an action on an official bond, but who are not liable for costs. Every vendue master is required to keep a book, and the vendue master would be a competent witness, perhaps, to prove the entries in his book, like any other agent, in an action by the original owner. But when he brings the action himself, he must support it like any other plaintiff, by competent and the highest evidence which the case admits of. I shall not undertake to indicate the evidence which may, or may not be sufficient and competent. The motion for a new trial is granted.

¶3A. P. BUTLER.

¶4We concur,

J. S, RICHARDSON,JO SI All J. EVANS.JOHN B O’NEALL,
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