Behn v. F. Rosatzin

Summary

Behn, Meyer & Co. partnership sued former bookkeeper F. Rosatzin to recover 686.24 peso balance from 1901 employment account. The Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's judgment, ruling that the partnership ledger containing entries in defendant's own handwriting constituted sufficient admission of the debt. The Court applied Civil Code Article 1214, placing burden of proof on defendant to show payment or discharge of the obligation. Defendant's arguments regarding improper bookkeeping, partnership validity, and currency conversion were rejected. The case demonstrates principles of burden of proof in civil obligations and the evidentiary value of party admissions in commercial accounting records.