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34 How. Pr. 187

Garrison v. Carr

New York Court of Common Pleas

Decided October 15, 1867

New York Court of Common Pleas · decided 1867-10-15

Motion on behalf of defendant before answer, to set aside the complaint “ as inconsistent with the summons.” The summons is in forra “ for a money demand on contract,” and asks judgment for a sum specified therein. The plaintiff' by his complaint, claims to recover damages for the breach of a contract entered into by defendant with him for the construction of a piece of machinery, which, as is alleged, was not completed by the defendant within the time fixed in the contract.

Cited by 1 later decisions — most recently January 1904

1 state decisions

Relies on Bowman v. Sheldon

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1867-10-15

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Van Vorst, J.

¶1The summons in this action is under the first subdivision of section 129 of the Code, and demands judgment for a sum certain. The complaint, it is true, discloses a cause of action u arising on contract,” but not for the recovery of money only.” The amount sought to be recovered is not fixed or liquidated by the terms of the instrument. They are yet to be ascertained, and will require proof outside of the contract to establish them.

¶2The summons must control, and as it indicates an action arising on contract for the recovery of money only, the complaint to be regular should correspond with it.

¶3But I think that the defendant must be held to have accepted the' complaint as it is, and to have waived the objection of its non-conformity to the summons. He has obtained an extension of time to answer, and this is an admission that the complaint was to be answered. (Bowman agt. Sheldon, 5 Sandf. 662.)

¶4It is too late for him to raise the objection now. He should have moved promptly if he meant to have insisted on this irregularity, and not have sought the favor of an extension of time to answer, and use it for the purpose of this motion.

¶5Motion denied, but without costs.

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