9 Utah 154 | Utah | 1893
In this case a motion is made to dismiss the appeal, for the reason that no undertaking on appeal has been given. An inspection of the transcript on file shows that no undertaking has been filed, but an affidavit has been filed in the office of the clerk of the district court which was no doubt intended to take the place of an undertaking. The material part of the affidavit is as follows: “ I do solemnly swear that I am not able to bear the expenses of this action on appeal, which I am about to take to the supreme court of the Territory of TJtah, and that I am justly entitled to the relief sought, to the best of my belief.” Then follows a statement that this affidavit is made by virtue of the act of the territorial legislature of 1892, approved March 10, 1892, and found on page 137 of the published laws of the last session. The first section of the act of the legislature referred to is as follows: “That any person may commence a civil action without giving security, or making a deposit fee, by taking and subscribing the following oath in writing: fI, A. B., do solemnly swear that I am not able to bear the expenses of the action which I am about to commence, and that I am justly entitled to the relief sought, to the best of my belief/” The second section provides that the officers and witnesses shall perform their services as in other cases. The third section provides that, if it shall appear that the oath was probably untrue, the action shall be dismissed, The fourth section provides that, if the plaintiff fails in his action, the judgment shall be entered as in other cases.
Does this statute authorize this affidavit to be filed in lieu of an appeal bond? We think not, for the following reasons: (1) Only the plaintiff is allowed to file it, while either party may appeal. (2) It. is only allowed in lieu of