Horton v. Hayden , 74 Neb. 339 ( 1905 )

Sedgwick, J.

The facts underlying this controversy are stated somewhat in detail in the opinion in State v. Horton, 70 Neb. 334. The order of the district court sustaining the motion of the respondent there to compel Hayden Brothers to make restitution was reversed, and the cause remanded to the district court, with instructions to dismiss the proceedings. The motion for rehearing was overruled in an opinion which may be found in 70 Neb. 343. It was there held that the general rule announced in Hier v. Anheuser-Busch Brewing Ass’n, 60 Neb. 320, that “upon the reversal of a judgment which has been executed it is the duty of the court to compel restitution,” was not of universal application, and that restitution is not in all cases a matter of absolute right. It rests in the sound discretion of the court. It was said that under the circumstances of this case “the court would not, in this summary proceeding, order a return of the money in controversy,” and that “this was not a proper case in which to summarily order a return of the money before the rights of the parties had been adjudicated in an action at law.” 70 Neb. 343.

The petition in the case at bar counted solely upon the allegation that the money had been obtained by Hayden Brothers from the exposition company by the operation of the writ of mandamus, and that the order allowing the writ of mandamus had been reversed, and that cause dismissed. There was no allegation of any facts from which it could be found that Hayden Brothers were justly indebted to the exposition company or to the trustee in bankruptcy. It was determined in the former decisions cited that allegations identically the same as those contained in this petition did not, under the circumstances disclosed in that case,. entitle the trustee in bankruptcy to any relief. We were satisfied, then, with the conclusion reached, and we see no ground now to change our views. The district court sustained a general demurrer to the petition, and the plaintiff electing to stand upon the petition, the action was dismissed.

This judgment of the district court was right, and is

Affirmed.