Krimmel v. Moss Cigar Co.
Krimmel v. Moss Cigar Co.
Opinion of the Court
Opinion by
In the court below, the only question in dispute was, as conceded by both parties, whether the defendant company had made a contract with Krimmel, the plaintiff, to pay him the balance due for brick already laid under the Dill agreement and for laying the brick to com
We agree with the learned court below that whether the receipt and mechanic’s lien contradicted the plaintiff’s position that the defendant company had entered into an agreement with him to pay for the brick work was an argument to be addressed to the jury, and was not a sufficient reason for the court to direct a verdict for the defendant. The receipt given by the plaintiff was “in full payment of account to date,” but it was conclusively shown that it was given for money due the plaintiff on a contract made by Moss with him to do work outside that to be done under the Dill contract. While the court submitted for the jury’s consideration the receipt as bearing upon the question of whether a new contract had been entered into by the parties, it
There was no harm done the defendant by excluding the -Dill letter. We can see no good reason under the evidence why the plaintiff: should recover for one portion of his claim and not for the other. By the contract-on which he relies, the defendant company agreed not only to pay him for the work yet to be done on the buildings but also to pay him the money yet due bim from the Dills. The contract is entire, and if the plaintiff has failed to establish any part of it he has failed to establish the whole agreement. The amount recoverable under the new contract would be the Dill deficit and the money to be paid on the subsequently completed work. It was, therefore, immaterial what time the letter was written notifying the defendant company that the Dills were unable, by reason of unexpected financial developments, to proceed with the work.
In the condition of the record we cannot sustain the fifth assignment alleging error by the court in refusing to withdraw a juror by reason of the use of improper language by plaintiff’s counsel in. addressing the jury. When the objection was first made the learned judge announced that he would withdraw a juror unless the plaintiff’s counsel stated there was no evidence upon the subject of the remarks complained of. No definite ruling was then requested by defendant’s counsel nor was any exception taken. Subsequently in his address to the jury a remark was made by plaintiff’s' counsel, which the defendant’s counsel asked bim to withdraw. The plaintiff’s counsel then said he would modify the statement and did so. The defendant’s counsel made no further, objection, made no request for the withdrawal of a juror, and no exception was
In several recent cases, we have reversed because of improper remarks made by counsel to the jury, and we have no intention of relaxing the rule announced in those cases. But if opposing counsel desire to invoke the protection of the trial court they must act promptly and call the court’s attention to the objectionable language and give it an opportunity to deal with the offender as the facts may require. This is only fair to the court. If it then declines to act, the injured party should insist on his objection and take an exception to the ruling. He cannot, by his silence, be permitted to leave the impression that he is satisfied with the court’s action in the premises, and after the rendition of an adverse verdict, have the verdict set aside, or the judgment thereon reversed by the appellate court. In the case at bar, the court would have withdrawn a
The judgment is affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Krimmel v. Moss Cigar Company
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- Syllabus
- Corporations — Agreement by president — Building contract — ■ Evidence. 1. In an action against a corporation upon a verbal contract alleged, to have been entered into by the president of the defendant corporation as agent for his company, and the plaintiff, a sub-contractor engaged in erecting brick work on defendant’s building, the case is for the jury and a verdict against the defendant will be sustained where it appeared that the prin* cipal contractors had failed; that a sum of money was due from them to the plaintiff and that the latter had refused to go on with the work until paid; that the president of the defendant company, who was actively engaged in completing the building, saw the plaintiff and requested him to proceed and upon his refusal agreed to pay him the balance due and the contract price for. finishing the work, whereupon the plaintiff resumed operation; that the president made other contracts which were ratified by his company; and that there was no reason why the president should have contracted in an individual capacity. 2. In such a case the question whether a receipt given by the plaintiff “in full payment of account to date,” and also whether an attempt by the sub-contractor to collect the sum due him from. the principal contractor by mechanic’s lien were inconsistent with the contract as alleged by the plaintiff is for the jury. Practice, C. P. — Improper remarles of counsel — Objection—Failure to talee exception. 3. A new trial will not be granted because of the refusal of the court to withdraw a juror by reason of the use of improper language where upon objection the court compelled the attorney1 to withdraw his statement and the opposing counsel made no further objection and took no exception. Under such circumstances the inference is that counsel waived any objection they might have made to the improper remark.