State v. Intoxicating Liquors , 61 Me. 520 ( 1873 )

Appleton, C. J.

This was a proceeding under the search and seizure clause against James McCann for having liquors in his possession with intent to sell the same in violation of law.

The claimant, Frank, one of the firm of Thomas J. Dunbar & Co., wholesale liquors dealers, of Boston, Mass., sets up the title of his firm to the goods and asks for their return. The only questions reserved for our consideration relate to the right of Frank to intervene in his own right or as a member of the firm of Dunbar & Co.

It is not denied that the liquors in controversy were sold by Dunbar & Co. to McCann in Boston, were shipped to Bangor and received by McCann, and that he took them into his possession.

The claimant, Frank, testified that when at Bangor, in April, prior to the seizure, McCann told him that he had received notice from the city marshal not to sell and wished him to take back the goods; that he finally determined to take them; that he told him (McCann) to put them in a safe place; that the liquors stand charged in the book of their firm to McCann; that no act was done but telling him that he would take them when the river opened; that they were then to be sent back; that he did not take a delivery of the goods; that there was no writing between him and McCann ; that no credit was given McCann for these liquors, nor was there to be until they were returned to Boston and there gauged.

Upon this testimony the presiding justice held that there was no resale of the liquors to the firm of Dunbar & Co. The facts were not in dispute. Upon those facts, as fully stated by the claimant, the title to the liquors never revested in the firm of which he was a member. In Quincy v. Tilton, 6 Maine, 277, it was held that where a sale has been made and perfected the same formalities are necessary to revest the property in the original vendor which were necessary to pass it from him to the vendee. Here was neither agreement in writing, delivery of the property, payment of the price or earnest, the giving of credit for the goods resold, the taking them into possession, or anj act done by which, upon the recognized principles'of law, the title could pass.

It is true that by R. S., c. 27, § 36, the magistrate after the seizure of the liquors shall give due notice of the time and place of hearing the libel against the liquors so seized to all persons interested. By § 37, the claimants or persons interested “ shall file with such magistrate such claim in writing, stating specifically the right so claimed and the foundation thereof, the items so claimed,” etc., etc. This the claimant has done. He asserts no title but as owner. Tf not owner, he has no right whatever to the liquors seized, or to any portion of the same, or to the possession. The claim as set forth is completely negatived by his own testimony and it is not pretended he has any other. He must be limited to the right as he has set it forth in his claim.

Exceptions overruled.

Cutting, Walton, Dickerson, and BaRRows, JJ., concurred.