52 Wis. 303 | Wis. | 1881
In this case we have been favored with the opinion of the learned circuit judge, given on the motion to confirm the report of the referee, and on sustaining the garnishee’s exceptions to that report. This opinion contains such a full, clear and satisfactory discussion of the questions of law and fact involved in the case, that it might, in the main, be adopted as presenting our own views on these questions. The fact that a settlement was made between the garnishee and principal debtor, Noyes, on the 26th of April, 1876, is too conclusively established to admit of doubt. A memorandum in writing of such settlement was drawn up and signed by the parties at the time, which memorandum states that on that day all book accounts and all other demands were settled between them “ except the wood account.” The writing states the amount which was found due Noyes, and the manner in which the same was to be paid. Now a creditor of Noyes attempts to overhaul and set aside this settlement, on the ground that it was made in fraud of his rights. There is not the least scintilla of evidence that either party, in making the settlement, intended to defraud any one. So far as creditors are concerned, the settlement seems to have been made in perfect good faith, for the purpose of adjusting the mutual dealings and business transactions of the parties to "it. But it is said that the appellaqj;, at this time, was a creditor of Noyes, and that Noyes was in failing circumstances, to the knowledge of the garnishee, who obtained an advantage in the settlement — in other words, that several hundred dollars more were actually due Noyes than were stated to be due him in the memorandum. But the learned circuit judge found that at the time of making the settlement neither of the parties to it acted under any mistake of fact as to the items or matters included in the settlement, or omitted therefrom, or as to the correctness of any such item. This being the case, the learned judge held that, even if Noyes made an improvident settlement — one which diminished his ability to pay his debts,— this afforded
The garnishee was first examined before a commissioner. He commenced his examination with a positive denial that he owed Noyes anything, or that Noyes had any just claim upon him. The examination of the garnishee before the commissioner covers more than three hundred folios, questions and answers. The plaintiff was not satisfied with the answer of the garnishee, and took issue thereon. On the trial of that issue, the garnishee was permitted to explain, contradict or qualify admissions and statements made by him before the commissioner, against the objection of appellant. It is now claimed that it was error to allow the garnishee to do this, because his whole examination before the commissioner was in the nature of a pleading, upon which issue had been joined. We do not think the whole examination before the commissioner should be treated as a pleading which the garnishee was bound by until it was amended by leave of court. The general denial of indebtedness might, with liberality, be deemed a pleading, perhaps. All the rest was mere examination to get at the real facts; and the garnishee had the undoubted right to correct, on the trial, any mistakes which he had made in his examination before the commissioner. The circuit court
By the Court.— The judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.