Hansard v. Pool

Bloodworth, J.

Hnder the provisions of section 20, article 7, of the banking act approved August 16, 1919 (Ga. L. 1919, p. 160), an assessment was made against W. N. Pool Jr., as owner of three shares of stock in the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Cumming, which was then in the hands of the superintendent of banks for liquidation. An execution was issued against said Pool, which was signed “T. R. Bennett, Superintendent of Banks, by E. A. Thompson, Asst. Superintendent of Banks of the State of Georgia,” and it was transferred by the superintendent of banks and levied upon certain realty as the property of Pool. Pool filed an affidavit of illegality, alleging that the execution was proceeding illegally, on certain grounds. The only portion of the affidavit of illegality which is urged in this court by counsel for Pool is that which alleges that the assistant superintendent of banks has no right “to make assessments against or to issue executions against stockholders of insolvent banks.” On the trial of the affidavit of illegality in the superior court counsel for the plaintiff tendered in evidence the execution, and the following objection was urged against it: “We object to the fi. fa. on the ground we don’t consider it a legal fi. fa., because it was issued by T. R. Bennett, Superintended of Banks, by E. A. Thompson. It- doesn’t say assistant, just says something of, banks of the State of Georgia. I can’t read it to see what it is. We don’t see that E. A. Thompson has any right to issue it. • I can’t make out what it is.” After the court had admitted the execution and the transfer thereof, and without the introduction of any other evidence, a verdict was directed in favor of the defendant in fi. fa., Pool.

The execution was ’“fair upon its face,” and, nothing to the contrary appearing, this court will assume that the assessment was properly made. The banking act, supra, section 10, provides for the appointment of an assistant superintendent of banks with authority to perform such duties as may be assigned to him by the superintendent. The affidavit of illegality having stated affirmatively that the assistant superintendent had no authority to issue the execution, the burden was upon the affiant to establish this fact by proof. This he failed to do. See Thompson v. Fain, 139 Ga. 310 (2), 312 (77 S. E. 166), and cit.; Doerflinger v. Nelson, 76 Ga. 101(a); James v. Edward Thompson Co., 17 Ga. App. 578 (2) (8-7 S. E. 842). The principles announced in Deariso v. Mobley, 38 Ga. App. 313 (2, 3, 4) (143 S. E. 915), axe applicable to this case.

The court erred in directing a verdict for the defendant in fi. fa.

Judgment reversed.

Broyles, O. J., and Luke, J., concur.