Gulf S.I.R. Co. v. Eaton

Counsel

Chas. N. Burch and T.J. Wills, for appellant. The trial judge, in overruling the motion for peremptory instruction, stated that in overruling the motion that he put it on the theory that the plaintiff, as the mail carrier for the United States Government, occupied the same relationship with the railroad as a passenger. He directed the attorneys to draw their instructions accordingly. The plaintiff had entered into a contract with the United States Government to carry the mail from the mail trains to the post office and from the post office to the mail train. He received the mail from the United States mail clerk on the train and delivered the mail, which he brought from the post office, to the mail clerk. His dealings and relationship was with the mail clerk on the train and not with any person at or about the depot, station or grounds, or any person connected with the depot and grounds. In discharging this duty the plaintiff was acting for his own benefit, convenience and remuneration. 22 R.C.L. 918: "A person who does not go upon the premises of a railroad company as a passenger, servant, trespasser, or as one standing in any contractual relation to the company, but who is permitted by it to come upon its premises for his own interest, convenience, or benefit, is generally held to be on such premises as a licensee within the rule just laid down." The only duty that the railroad owes to a person situated in the position in which the plaintiff was situated is not to willfully or wantonly injure him by gross negligence of itself, its agents or employees. The holding of the court, in the trial of the case, that the defendant railroad company owed to the plaintiff the same duty that it owed to passengers was erroneous and unsupported by reason or authorities. A case similar by analogy but not in point of fact, is Pittsburg Ft. Wayne Chicago R.R. Co. v. Bingham, 23 Am. Rep. 751. In carrying the mail for the United States Government it is not shown that the railroad contracted to build stations, depots or other places for employees of the railroad to stand, sit or sleep while waiting to discharge the duty that may exist between such governmental employee and the government. Section 9235, Hemingway's Code 1927, specifically provides that every railroad shall keep rooms open for the reception of passengers at all passenger stations at least an hour before the arrival, and one-half hour after the departure of passenger trains, etc. This legislative enactment is intended solely for the protection and convenience of passengers and not for the comfort, convenience and pleasure of licensees, invitees, trespassers or other persons who may come upon the premises of the railroad company without the intent of becoming passengers thereof. We submit that there is no liability under the proof in this case, and the court should have peremptorily charged the jury to find for the defendant. The case should be reversed, and since there is no liability, judgment should be entered for appellant. W.U. Corley, for appellee. Appellee was more than a licensee, and being more than a licensee, was entitled to protection at the hands of appellant. It was necessary to have mail messengers to care for the mail pending the arrival of trains, and the departure of trains, and to convey same to and from the various post offices. Appellee knew these facts. He also knew that appellant had, owned, and operated a depot in his town, in which waiting rooms and fires were maintained. With these conveniences in view, he cast his bid for and obtained the job. The court below held that he was entitled to protection, and this is the question now passed up to this court, according to their statement to say whether or not a railroad must make provisions, or any provisions for the protection of those working for its interest. If this court insist that the court below was wrong, then the mail messengers on the train can be cut loose from the steam. The express men's train can be cut loose also, but most of all the mail messenger when he arrives at the depot, must stand without in the rain and cold and await the arrival of trains. Section 7652, Hemingway's Code, specially provides that all rooms are to be kept and made comfortable. It is evidently true, that the entire outfit was negligent in the management of their business, or the business of the railroad company. Section 6678, Hemingway's Code specially provides that "every railroad company shall be liable for all damages which may be sustained by any person in consequence of the neglect or mismanagement of any of its agents, engineers or clerk, etc." This section has an application in this case.