RESPONSIBLE

To say that a person is “responsible” means that he is able to pay a sum for which he is or may become liable, or to discharge an obligation which he may be under. Farley v. Day, 26 N. H. 531; People v. Kent, 160 111. 655, 43 N. E. 760; Com. v. Mitchell, 82 Pa. 349. A promise to be “responsible” for the contract of another is a guaranty rather than a suretyship. Bickel v. Auner, 9 Phila. (Pa.) 499. Responsible government. This term generally designates that species of governmental system in which the responsibility for public measures or acts of state rests upon the ministry or executive council, who are under an obligation to resign when disapprobation of their course is expressed by a vote of want of confidence, in the legislative assembly, or by the defeat of an important measure advocated by them. Responsio nnins non omnino andiatur. The answer of one witness shall not be heard at all. A maxim of the Roman law of evidence. 1 Greenl. Ev.