165 N.W. 990 | S.D. | 1917
The- respondent in this- case is a garnishee defendant. The garnishee summons was served on him at the same time that summons was served on the defendant in the action. On the following day, after the service of the summons, respondent wrote a letter to- counsel for plaintiff as follows:
“Hjaving been this day served with a garnishee summons on Sam Margulies, we are herewith formally advising you that Sam Margulies is not in our employ. Thanking you to- pay this your immediate attention, we are,” etc.
No further appearance was made by respondent, and default judgment was entered against him for the amount claimed to- be due by the -defendant in the action. Before taking said judgment, one of plainfiff’s counsel telephoned to- respondent’s office and inquired if any -disclosure would be made in the case, and, in -reply to said inquiry, w.as informed that no disclosure would be made. On learning that judgment had been entered against him, respondent moved the -court to set aside said judgment and1 permit him to- file an affidavit of disclosure. This motion was granted, and plaintiff appeals.
“The exercise of that discretion will not be reviewed by this court, except in cases where there has been a clear abuse of such discretion, and a much stronger case must be made as to the abuse of such discretion where the court has granted the motion than in a case where the motion has been denied.”
In this- case, if respondent did not owe the defendant anything or have any of defendant’s property in his possession or under his control at the time of the service of the garnishee summons, it would be a manifest injustice to enforce the judgment entered against him by default. On the other ‘band, if it
The order appealed from is affirmed.