Frech v. Lewis
Frech v. Lewis
Opinion of the Court
Opinion by
It does not seem to be denied that the plaintiff’s evidence supported the conclusion of the jury that the agreement with the defendant was for payment in cash on the delivery of' the carriages. The argument of the appellant proceeds upon the
Where delivery is made without a performance of the condition on the part of the vendee, it is the duty of the vendor to insist with reasonable promptness upon performance, and on failure by the vendee so to do the vendor may recover the property. What is a reasonable time depends upon tbe circumstances, and the conduct of the vendee may materially affect the question whether there has been unreasonable delay in claiming redress. In the case under consideration, the evidence of the plaintiff shows that when the property was delivered the defendant promised to see the plaintiff and pay him
We are not convinced that the action of the court on the motion to withdraw a juror and continue the case was unwarranted. It is the duty of the trial judge to see that the trial is conducted in a legal manner and the exercise of his authority is discretionary. Unless this discretion is abused the action of the court is not the subject of an appeal. We find nothing in the record indicating that the court below had any ground for concluding that the offer of testimony objected to was not made in good faith, and the learned trial judge acted clearly within the limits of judicial discretion in refusing the motion of the defendant’s attorney, as set forth in the first assignment of error.
The assignments are overruled and the judgment affirmed.
Reference
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- Sale — Contract—Sale on condition — Sale for cash — Waiver—Replevin. A contract for the sale of chattels for cash is a sale on condition. Where, in case of such a sale, delivery is made by the vendor upon the understanding that the condition will be performed at once, and he then, with reasonable promptness, demands the performance of the condition, the vendee does not acquire title in case of refusal, and the vendor may recover his property in an action. Whether the title has become absolute or not depends upon the question of waiver by the vendor. Waiver is a voluntary relinquishment of a right or advantage to which the relinquisher is entitled and may be shown by express declarations or by acts of evidencing an intention not to insist upon a right; or it may appear from such a course of conduct or failure to act as would justify the conclusion that it was the vendor’s intention to waive the right. The evidence must be such as to warrant the inference of a voluntary choice. The question of waiver is one of fact for a jury to be solved by the interpretation put upon the acts and declarations of the vendor or his omission to claim or act. Where delivery is made without a performance of the condition on the part of the vendor to insist with reasonable promptness upon performance, and on failure by the vendee so to do, the vendor may recover the property. What is a reasonable time depends upon the > circumstances, and the conduct of the vendee may materially affect the question whether there has been unreasonable delay in claiming redress. In an action of replevin to recover carriages sold and delivered to defendant, it appeared that the sale was for cash. There was evidence that when the property was delivered the defendant promised to see the plaintiff and pay him or send him a check in a day or two; that the defendant procrastinated, promised to pay, put the plaintiff off, and at one time delivered to him his note which the plaintiff accepted, as he claimed, upon condition that it could be negotiated at a bank. The bank, however, refused to take the note for the reason that it was worthless, and the plaintiff returned it to the defendant. It further appeared that the plaintiff wrote several letters to the defendant-insisting upon payment according to the terms of the contract, and that he made numerous demands on him personally for the money. According to the plaintiff’s own statement he “kept going to him and writing to him day by day.” He also employed an attorney to demand the money or the goods. Finally after these efforts to secure payment, continuing for more than two months, the action of replevin was brought. Held, that the case was for the jury and that a verdict and judgment for' plaintiff should be sustained. Trial — Improper action of counsel — Discretion of court. It is the duty of the trial judge to see that the trial is conducted in a legal manner, and the exercise of his authority is discretionary. Unless this discretion is abused the action of the court is not the subject of an appeal.