Rhea v. Hackney

The principal question presented in this case is the authority of .a court of law, independent of court rule or statute, and in the exercise of its inherent judicial power, to strike as' sham pleas interposed by a defendant which are shown to be false and filed merely for delay, though apparently good on their face and verified in legal form, and thereupon to give plaintiff a final judgment against the defendant as upon default for want of any defense whatsoever. The court below ruled in the affirmative. The resulting judgment entered by that court has been brought here on writ of error sued…