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57 L.R.A. 764
Iowa
1902
Ladd, 0. J. —

1 Thе assignments of error attached to the abstract were totally insufficient, but subsequently an amendment thereto was filed, specifically pointing out the errors alleged. As these had been clearly ‍‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌​‌‍indicated in the appellant’s . argument, and fully met in the appellee’s brief, no prejudice could have resulted from the delay. For this reason the motion to dismiss; must be ovеrruled.

*3902 II. Is a bicycle, habitually used by a painter, paper hanger, and billposter to earn a livelihood, he being the head of a family, exempt from execution? Section 4008 of the Code, in so far as applicаble, reads: “If the debtor is the head of a family he may hold exempt from execution, * * * if a physician, public officer, farmer, teamster, or othеr laborer, a team consisting of not more than two horses or mules, or two yoke of cattle and the wagon or other vehicle, with the proper harness or tackle by the use ‍‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌​‌‍of which he habitually earns his living, otherwise one horse.” That plaintiff was a laborer within the meaning of this section is not questioned. As certainly the bicycle is a vehicle. The decisions so holding аre too numerous for citation. But is it a vehicle such as was contemplated by the legislature in enacting the statute? It is well settled that statutes of exemption should receive a liberal construction, such as shall aid, in sо far as may be, in carrying out the beneficient object of the legislatiоn. (Davis v. Humphrey, 22 Iowa, 137; Consol. Tank Line Co. v. Hunt, 83 Iowa, 6); and they are to be construed in favor ‍‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌​‌‍of those claiming their benefits (Bevan v. Hayden, 13 Iowa, 122; Kaiser v. Seaton, 62 Iowa, 463). Bеcause of the liberal construction usually given a statute of this charаcter, the majority of the court hold that a bicycle is included in the term “оther vehicle,” as found in the section quoted. While it was not in use, or even known, in the state at the time of such enactment, they are of opinion that the law should keep pace with progress and improvement in the industriаl arts, ‍‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌​‌‍and that the bicycle should be adjudged exempt to a laborer whо is the head of a family, and habitually uses it to earn a living. On the other hand, the writеr, with whom concurs Mr. Justice Waterman, while conceding the force of thеse suggestions, reaches a different conclusion. Precisely what may be claimed as exempt is enumerated in the statute, and nothing is to be addеd. Tyler v. Coulthard, 95 Iowa, 705. Especially a *391new class ought not to be added. The wagon is mentioned in connection with the animals enumerated, and. all with relation to the harness or tackle. Why was this done? For the reason, as it seems to us, that all were essential and ordinarily used in making up an outfit for the purpose of transportation. Certainly, a wagon would be of no benefit in earning a living without one or more animals, ‍‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌‌​‌‍and these could hardly be made use of without a harness or tacklе of some kind. A working outfit was intended. For what purpose? By the use of which to earn a living. If right in this, then it seems that the “other vehicle” contemplated must havе been one of like character; that is, one which may be used in cоnnection with some of the animals enumerated and the harness or tackle. See 17 Am. & Eng. Enc. Law, 278. ■ If this be not true, anything within the definition of “vehicle” .may be exеmpt, such as an electric car or automobile, regardless of thе value of either. To so hold would, as it seems to us, do violence to thе spirit, as well as the letter, of the statute, in which the horse is recognized аs the means of transportation, in the absence of the outfit referrеd to. Under the contention of appellant, both a bicycle and a horse, without other of the property mentioned, could be held as еxempt. See Smith v. Horton, 19 Tex. Civ. App. 28 (46 S. W. Rep. 401); Shade-wald v. Phillips, 72 Minn. 520 (75 N. W. Rep. 717). In the opinion of the majority of the court, however, the plaintiff should have been awarded judgment for the return of his bicycle as exempt from execution. — Reversed.

Case Details

Case Name: Roberts v. Parker
Court Name: Supreme Court of Iowa
Date Published: May 31, 1902
Citations: 57 L.R.A. 764; 117 Iowa 389
Court Abbreviation: Iowa
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