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27 S.C.L. 327

Treasurers v. Buckner

Supreme Court of South Carolina

Decided February 15, 1842

Supreme Court of South Carolina · decided 1842-02-15

Before Wardlaw, J., Beaufort, January Term, 1842. This was a suggestion of breach on the official bond of William B. Buckner, late sheriff of Beaufort district, a judgment having been previously obtained therefor. The breach alleged was an exaction by the sheriff, from the plaintiff, under and by virtue of sundry executions in his office, of the sum of two hundred and fifty-six dollars and thirty-two cents, over and above the amounts due on the said executions.

Decided 1842-02-15

¶1Curia,per

Wardlaw, J.

¶2This case, like another between the same parties, just decided, was heard upon a report prepared by counsel, after a pro forma decision on the circuit ; and to the other, reference may be had for the opinion of this court as to the practice in suggestions after a judgment upon a sheriff’s bond, and as to the general measure of liability on such bond.

¶3What in this case is called a non-suit, might have been better called an order to quash the suggestion.

¶4Where a sheriff has no process giving him authority to receive, a person who pays to his deputy cannot look to him; Chilles vs. Holloway, 4 McCord, 164; and if one, deceived by no show of authority, should pay to J. S., himself, then being sheriff, that which a sheriff had not authority to receive, his recourse would be to J. S., personally, and not to the sheriff’s bond. But where a sheriff, having writs which authorize him to collect, exacts from the debt- or more than can lawfully be required, even without levy the payment is not voluntary; 1 McCord, 395; Cheves’s L. R. 113; and the sheriff either wilfully abuses his office, or negligently or unskilfully performs his duty, so as to violate the condition of his official bond.

¶5The order of the circuit court is set aside, and a new trial ordered.

Richardsó'n, O’Neall, Evans, and Butler, JJ., concurréd.
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