In re Bailey

110 F. 928 | D. Vt. | 1901

WHEELER, District Judge.

The bankrupt appears to have been owing the Burlington Grocery Company $492.20, to have given it a check for $287 and an order for $114.99 more goods, and, the check being protested and unpaid, to have afterwards paid $292.07 on account, leaving $790.28 due at the time of adjudication. This payment of $292.07 appears to be a preference, which must be surrendered before proof of the claim; but the act provides that if, after a preference, the creditor gives further credit for property which becomes a part of the estate, the new credit'may be deducted from the preference to be surrendered; and the creditor insists that this new credit of $114.99 should be deducted from,the preferences by the payment of the $292.07, and proof allowed on surrender of the balance. This would be right if the check had constituted the preference ; bur it did not. The $292.07 did not pay the check, but was paid upon account, and the check was never paid. The situation was the same when this payment was made as if the check had never been drawn, for the debt covered the whole amount due, including that for which the check was given. The payment constituted the preference, and there ivas no new credit given afterwards for property that became a part of the estate. The whole payment must therefore be surrendered before proof can properly be allowed.

Decision of referee affirmed.