Ward v. Ward
Ward v. Ward
Opinion of the Court
There is no doubt but the first error must be stricken out. The record shows that the party objected, but not that there was any bill of exceptions signed or presented. The other objection has been several times incidentally before the Supreme Court, and also before this court; and although various opinions have been expressed, some of which are reported and others not, the point now raised has never been directly decided.
The old practice was, when a party was dissatisfied with the charge of the judge, simply to take a general exception without specification, and thus have the whole charge spread upon the record. This led to many inconveniences and much injustice, both to the court and the parties; and some years since the practice was changed, and now the judge usually requires the party objecting to specify his objections, and if he neglects to do it, the adverse party may require it; but if neither judge or party require specification, and a general bill of exception is tendered and signedt to the whole charge, and thus it becomes in extenso a part of the record, I know of no rule of law or propriety which forbids the party to assign his errors upon any part of the charge or record. If the party
moved for the production of the original bills of exceptions, if any there were, that it might be seen by the court whether the judge of Bergen county Circuit Court had in point of fact signed a bill of exceptions to the charge generally.
objected to this motion as too late; that the defendant, having permitted the printed case, in which the bill of exceptions was printed, with the signature and seal of the circuit judge, to be read without objection, and the argument to be commenced, it was now too late to inquire for the bill of exceptions, and that they could not be called upon to produce any.
Zabrhkie, in reply. The bill of exceptions is part of the re
1st point. The verdict in the former suit was not conclusive, unless pleaded. All estoppels must be pleaded, or else only evidence that the jury may is satisfied disregarded. 2 Paine 493.
2d point. The Circuit Court erred in its construction of the reservation of the deed as to the distillery. The distillery itself was only reserved, which is the building, not any land or easement over any land ; at all events plaintiff was confined to the use of his leaders in the same position, and no other.
3. The direction of the court, as to the verdict, was erroneous and contrary to law. Arch. Pr. 195-6
1st point. The rule, as to pleading an estoppel, is clear and well settled. It must be pleaded if a party has an opportunity to plead it, else it is not conclusive. But a deed or judgment offered in evidence, which a party has had no opportunity to plead, will be an estoppel, and conclusive when given in evi
2d point. The reservation of the distillery reserves the lands on which it stands, and reserving the privileges creates an easement over the part granted. The charge of the court was, that the plaintiff must use his privileges not in precisely the same manner, but so as not to be more onerous to the defendant than they were formerly used.
3d point. As to the verdict, the separate finding on each issue is lawful, and in the case of two distinct causes of action, as here, in one declaration, peculiarly proper. 1 Chit. Pl. 411; 3 Johns. R. 189; 3 Chit. Gen. Pr. 921 ; l Arch. Pr. 195.
The court, all the judges except the Chief Justice and Justice Carpenter being present, unanimously affirmed the judgment below. No written opinion being delivered by any of the judges.
Cited in Lutes v. Alpaugh, 3 Zab. 166; Donnelly v. State, 2 Dutch. 606; Hinchman v. Rutan, 2 Vr. 502; Hopper ads. Chamberlain, 5 Vr. 225.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- WARD v. WARD
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- Published