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9 Iowa 561

Hinman v. Weiser

Supreme Court of Iowa

Decided November 3, 1859

Supreme Court of Iowa · decided 1859-11-03

The District Court in the 5th Judicial District adopted certain rules of practice, of which two are, in substance, as follows: “68'. The clerk shall file and docket the transcripts of all appeals from justices, &c., marking on them the time of filing, and if the docket fee be not paid prior to the opening of the court on the first day of the term, the appellee, on motion therefor, shall have the judgment of the court below affirmed, with costs. “ 69.

Decided 1859-11-03

Woodward, J.

¶1We think the court erred in the affirmance of the judgment. The docket fee was paid two days before the motion to affirm was made. The omission to pay it at the precise time required, does not absolutely affirm the judgment, but this requires a motion from the other side, for without such, the omission maybe passed by and have no effect. And it is a general rule in reference to defaults of this nature, that if the default or omission is supplied before the opposite party sustained detriment, or makes an objection of the default, it is cured.

¶2Rules of this nature are intended to promote vigilance. In the present instance, it is to insure promptness in the prosecution of the appeal, and this being effected, the motion cannot go back and nullify the defendant’s action, and prevail the same as if the defendant had not performed the required act. The rule is not absolute so as to execute itself, but the plaintiff is to claim its execution, and the defendant *563having performed the required act first, it is too late to claim its application. See the State of Iowa v. Glass, ante.

¶3We regard this view as sufficient without examining the other reasons urged by the appellant.

¶4The judgment is reversed, and a procedendo awarded.

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