Thomas v. Miller

The plaintiffs seek the cancellation of the mortgage given by them to defendant, and set forth in the pleadings, on the ground that the same is usurious and void. The findings of the trial court do not support this charge. But the court finds that the defendant was employed by the plaintiff' Robert Thomas to negotiate and secure for him a loan for $500, for five years, and that the money was thereupon procured by him for plaintiff of one * Grey, who was a non-resident, and the full amount was received by plaintiff, who executed to Grey a mortgage for the same, at 8 per cent., running five years, and at the same time agreed to pay defendant the sum of $50 for his services and commissions, for which he executed the mortgage for that amount, in question here. The evidence which supports these findings tended to prove that defendant was engaged in the business of negotiating loans, and was applied to by plaintiff for such purpose, and that defendant notified him in advance of the terms upon which loans were procured, and what his charges and commissions were. Plaintiff thereupon signed an application for the loan, which the defendant forwarded to Grey, and thereafter, in about a month, secured the money. The two mortgages were accordingly executed, the one as security for the loan, *340and the other to defendant for his commissions and services in obtaining it, which was an independent transaction between these parties, in which Grey had no interest. It might reasonably be expected that the defendant, who was engaged in the. business of negotiating loans, would charge reasonable fees and commissions for the responsibility assumed by him in ■ recommending, and for his services in procuring, loans; and there is no proof or finding that the amount agreed on in this ease was exorbitant, or a cover for usury.

Judgment affirmed.