This section is from the book "Popular Law Library Vol11 Common Law Pleading, Code Pleading, Federal Procedure, Evidence", by Albert H. Putney. Also available from Amazon: Popular Law-Dictionary.
By competent evidence is meant that which the very nature of the thing to be proved requires as the fit and appropriate proof in the particular case, such as the production of a writing, where its contents are the subject of inquiry.
 
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