Gale v. Lancaster
Gale v. Lancaster
Opinion of the Court
Suit was brought by Lancaster against Gale, as the drawer of a bill of exchange. On the plea of the defendant, denying the allegations of the declaration, the cause was referred to the jury.
There is nothing before us, except such matter as constitutes the original record. Nothing was brought into it by bill of exceptions.
The objection made here, is, that the bill of exchange was presented for payment, and protested before it was due. If this be so, the drawer would be discharged.
We have nothing before us except the pleadings, writ, verdict and judgment.
What may have been the evidence on the trial, or what questions may have arisen and been decided on the trial, we know not. The bill of exchange and protest are copied into the record, but that does not make them part of it, in the legal technical sense. In Blackwell v. Reid & Co., 41 Miss., 103, it was said that, “ although the statute requires a copy of the writing sued on, to be filed with the declaration, such filing does not make it a part of the declaration; and it cannot be referred to aid the pleading.” The cause of action,
It can hardly be supposed that the plaintiff could have obtained a verdict, without proof of a presentment when due, and proper notice to the defendant, of the refusal to pay on such presentment. There is a clause in the statute of jeofails, Rev. Code, 508, art. 81, which seems to have been provided for just such cases of defective pleadings: “No judgment shall be stayed or reversed, for omitting the averment of any matter, without proving which, the jury ought not to have given such verdict; ” and again: “ For any other defect (besides those previously enumerated), whatsoever, in the declaration or pleading, whether of form or substance, which might have been taken advantage of by demurrer, and which shall not have been so taken advantage of.” The jury could not have returned a verdict for the plaintiff, without proof of a proper demand of payment, refusal, and notice to the defendant. The declaration notified the defendant that he was pursued bn his conditional contract, contingent on default in payment by the acceptors. The allegation of demand of the acceptors, is meagre, and would have been pronounced insufficient in demurrer. It is, “ that the draft was not paid by the acceptors, at maturity.” Only by inference, can it be deduced that the opportunity was offerded, by actual presentment. But the plaintiff could not have obtained a verdict, without proof of the fact.
By a fair and liberal interpretation of the statute of jeofails (which in its terms is very broad), this judgment can be sustained ; the scope of the statute has reference to pleading and practice, and was designed to give to the successful party the benefit of his judgment, by disregarding sundry error, and irregularities, which might have been availed of, if male before verdict and judgment. They are not so broad, how-
The plaintiff in error, had full opportunity in the circuit Court to have assailed the declaration by demurrer, which Would have insured its dismissal, or compelled a removal of the defects by amendment. And on the jury trial, he could have insured a verdict in his favor, if the creditor failed to pro¥e a demand and notice, or, if dissatisfied with a verdict against him, he could have moved for a new trial, and brought, the case into this court by bill of exceptions.. We are averse to the consideration of questions made for the first time in this court, which were pretermitted in the court of original jurisdiction. Inasmuch as no application was made for a new trial, we must infer that sufficient evidence was before the jury, and that the verdict is right.
Let the judgment be affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- A. G. Gale v. Geo. W. Lancaster
- Cited By
- 6 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- 1. Bill pbotested befobe dub — Judgment by default. — Action by the holder' against the acceptors of a bill of exchange protested for non-payment. The bill and protest are filed with the declaration and are copied into the record, and show that the bill was presented and protested before it became due. There was issue joined, jury and verdict for plaintiff. In the absence of any hill of exceptions or anything in the record showing what, or whether any evidence was given to tho jury in the case, the verdict and judgment will not he disturbed, whatever irregularities thore may-have been being cured by our statutes of jeofails. Rev. Code, art. 181. 2. Practice — Evidence.—Although the statute requires the writing sued on to be filed with the declaration, that does not make it a part of the declaration; nor does its being copied into.it make it part of the record in a legal technical sense ; andhence it cannot be considered as apartof the evidence. 3. Pbbsumjtioii ik soteobt oe verdict_What may have been the evidence on the trial, or what questions may have arisen and been decided during its progress, the court cannot know, in the absence of all exceptions in the record, but it will be pre-srrmed that every fact essential to a verdict was.proved before the jury. 4. Same. — In an action at law whore there has been a trial and verdict for plaintiff, if tko defendant makes no motion for a new trial, the court will presume that sufficient ovidenco was before the jury to justify the verdict.