Reed v. Murphy
Reed v. Murphy
Opinion of the Court
Opinion by
Assumpsit by the firm of Murphy & Burk against Calvin 0. Reed. "Verdict and judgment for the plaintiffs. There is but one point urged in error which we deem worthy of consideration. On the trial Iienry Mahan was admitted as a witness in behalf of the plaintiff. But it was claimed that he was interested as a partner with Murphy & Burk and therefore incompetent. In support of that position, a contract was adduced in which Mahan agreed to rent his house with the store fixtures, to Murphy & Burk for one year in consideration of their paying him one dollar, and occupying the building for a store and giving him one fourth of the profits if any remained after deducting all the expenses of the establishment. And he also agreed to devote all his time and attention to the business of the plaintiffs. It appeared that Murphy & Burk purchased the goods and furnished the store on their own account; that it was understood between them that Mahan was employed as agent to be paid for his services out of a portion of the profits. The court charged the jury that this contract did not constitute a partnership between the plaintiffs and the witness.
We think, the court correctly instructed the jury that such- a contract does not create a partnership. Mahan’s connection with the business was not that of a partner; he had no specific interest or control in the business such as a partner ordinarily enjoys; no share of the profits as profits; but merely in the event that profits accrued he should receive a certain portion of them as compensation
Judgment affirmed.
Ante 427.
Reference
- Status
- Published