certain and separate the amount included in the gross damages for defendant's wrongful acts, the judgment must be reversed.-Id. 22. In an action to recover damages for injuries alleged to have been caused by defendant's negligence, the plaintiff is bound to show that the injuries were attributable to such negligence: it is not sufficient to show that he was injured without his fault, by the movement of defendant's cars while plaintiff was attempting to get on them.-Henry v. The S. I. R. Co., 430.
23. It is not enough to make out a case of negli gence, to suggest that additional precautions would have prevented the accident, but the question is, whether a prudent person, under the circumstances, might be reasonably ex- pected to foresee that the accident in question might occur.-Loftus v. Union Ferry Co., 448. 24. In an action for damages on account of de- fendant's negligence, while it is incumbent on the plaintiff to show his own freedom from negligence contributing to the accident, it is sufficient if the inference of his freedom
from such negligence can be drawn from all the testimony of both parties.-Glendenning v. Sharpe, 457.
25. In the absence of such evidence a nonsuit should be granted, for the presumption that every one will take care of himself from re- gard to his own life and safety cannot take the place of proof.—Id.
26. While the crossing of a railroad without looking to see whether a train is approaching or not is ordinarily evidence, and in some cases is conclusive evidence of negligence, yet the rule is not an inflexible one nor applicable in all cases. Regard must be had to the age of the person killed or injured, as the same degree of circumspection is not required by an infant, even though he be sui juris, as of an adult.-Powell v. The N. Y. C. & H. R. RR. Co., 503.
27. Evidence sufficient to submit to the jury on the question as to whether the place of acci- dent was a public crossing.—Id.
28. There was a conflict of evidence as to whether the usual cautionary signals were given. Held, Independent of this question, the fact that the defendant omitted all precau- tions, such as the abatement of speed, attend- ance of signal men and the shutting off travel while the train was passing, was evidence sufficient to submit the question of their neg- ligence to the jury.-Id.
29. In an action brought for damages for an in- jury suffered by plaintiff by the derailment of defendant's train, the referee did not find any negligent act on defendant's part in the construction of the curve of the track, or in the speed of the locomotive running around it, but rested his decision, which was in favor of the plaintiff, on the finding, that in view of the sharpness of the curve, and of |
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the worn and weakened condition of the flange which broke, the speed with which the locomotive was going around the curve when the flange broke was dangerous and negligent." Held, The question then was, was the wheel so much worn as to render its use in the manner and under the circumstances in which it was used at the time of the acci- dent consistent with the care due from the defendant. The presumption raised by the breaking of the flange is somewhat repelled by proof of a flaw in the flange at the point of fracture.-Brown v. Sharpe, 559.
30. To sustain a recovery in such a case it should be found as a fact that notwithstanding the flaw the wear of the wheel which render- ed the use of it imprudent was an efficient cause of the accident, and that it would not have happened without the operation there- of.-Id.
31. Where the flaw is latent and indiscoverable by any known test, the defendant cannot be held liable because he did not discover it.— Id.
32. Plaintiff was injured by reason of his horse becoming frightened at a pile of stones by the side of the road, which had been placed there a week before for the purpose of re- pairing a bridge. Held, That if the stones had a tendency to frighten horses and were of a dangerous character, although not techni- cally a defect or obstruction in the highway, defendant was liable for damages caused to travelers thereby after due notice and neglect to remove them.-Eggleston v. The President, &c., of the Columbia Turnpike,
33. The secretary and treasurer of the company is a proper person on whom to serve such no- tice, and a notice served four or five days before an accident is sufficient.-Id.
34. H., an officer of the company, having testi- fied that he received the notice about the time of the accident, one P. testified that he gave the notice four or five days before. P.'s wife testified that P. had no conversation with H. on the day of the accident. She was then asked if on that day P. told the toll-gate keeper that he gave H. notice a week before. Held, That the question was incompetent.Id.
See FERRIES; MASTER AND SERVANT; MUNICI- PAL CORPORATIONS, 2; NATIONAL BANKS, 2; RAILROAD COMPANIES, 9, 15, 16; REFERENCE, 22; TORT, 3.
ceeds used to take up notes of the B.'s, in- dorsed by one J., and the other $1,000 to take up a past-due note indorsed by W. The other note for $2,000 was discounted by plaintiff, and the proceeds credited to the B.'s account Oct. 28. Plaintiff had notice when the last note was left with it that the proceeds were to be used to take up W.'s paper. On Nov. 3, the B.'s drew a check on
submitted to the jury.-Nickerson et al. v. Ruger et al., 329.
See AGENCY, 5, 7; ASSIGNMENT, 2; BANKRUPTCY, 7; BONA FIDE HOLDER; EVIDENCE, 11; FRAUD, 6; JURISDICTION, 3; PARTNERSHIP, 2; PLEAD- ING, 20; PRACTICE, 4; WARRANTY, 1.
plaintiff for $2,731.62, payable to "notes or See COUNTY COURT, 3; PRACTICE, 2, 6, 17; bearer," but no money thereon was paid to bearer. At that time plaintiff held no paper of the B.'s, except a note for $2,400 which fell due Oct. 12, and had been protested. In an action on said note, Held, That in the ab- sence of evidence of any right in plaintiff to make a different application, or of any dif ferent application in fact, the presumption is that the note was paid by the check of Nov. 3. The Nat. Bk. of Gloversville v. Wells et al., 23.
2. When a note is payable at a bank an entire failure to present it for payment does not dis- charge the maker. If the bank fails with the funds to pay the note in its hands, this is no defense to the note.-Indig v. The Nat. City Bk., 44.
8. Where a purchaser of negotiable paper. even for full value, has notice of facts which put him upon inquiry, he is bound to make such inquiry, or failing so to do, his rights are subject to the effect of such facts as in- quiry would have developed.-Von Schoon- hoven v. Curley et al., 126.
4. Every person is presumed to know the exist- ence and contents of the general statutes of the United States.-Id.
5. In order to sustain a defense in an action on a check that the same was without consider- ation, the defendant must affirmatively estab- lish a want of consideration.-Raubitschek v. Blank, 170.
1. The power to order the construction of sewers and to carry on the work of construc- tion, conferred on the Department of Public Works by the Charter of 1870, has not been divested by the Charter of 1873.-In re peti- tion of De Peyster, 171.
2. An action may be sustained by the Mayor, &c., of the City of New York to require the inspector of weights and measures in said city to account for percentages and fees re- ceived by him as such officer, as under sec. 96 of chap. 335 of Laws of 1873 such fees be- long to the city, and it is no answer to such action that no salary has been attached to such office. The statute, supra, is applica- ble, irrespective of the question as to whether a fixed salary has been attached to the office, and provision is made by the statute, supra, for requiring a salary to be fixed thereto. -The Mayor, &c., of N. Y. v. Kent, 316.
6. Defendant and one H. verbally agreed to exchange real estate, and defendant gave to H. a check as part payment, and received a receipt therefor. In an action on the check defendant testified that he did not know 4 where the receipt was, and that he believed it stated that the check was received on ac- count of an exchange of property, mentioning it, and also the conditions of the exchange. Held, That the receipt was a sufficient con- sideration for the check; that the two must be read together, and make out a valid con- tract between the parties.-Id.
7. Plaintiff held a check as an assignee of H., who was dead. Held, That defendant was incompetent to testify to any personal trans- action between himself and H.-Id.
8. In an action upon a promissory note by the endorsees against the makers, where there are several equitable defenses set up on the trial, the defendants are properly allowed to show their equities and have the whole case
By resolution of the board of health, adopted in 1871, the office of engineer to the board was made an honorary one, and it was pro- vided that no salary should be attached to it. Plaintiff was notified, and replied, expressing his appreciation at being retained in office. In an action for services performed in 1871, 2, 3, Held, That the action could not be maintained; that there could be no right to compensation, it having been expressly de- clared, and assented to, that the services rendered should be honorary.-Haswell v. The Mayor, &c., of N. Y., 338.
The board audited plaintiff's bill for services for the year 1872, and directed its payment. Held, That this was a mere gratuity, without authority, and did not constitute the legal auditing of a bona fide debt against the board or the city, and did not operate as a rescission of the resolution, or create a new liability. -Id.
5. The share of one T. in the proceeds of a sale on partition were deposited to his credit with the city chamberlain, who paid the money to other parties, and transferred mort- gages held for such parties to T. The mort- gaged premises, having subsequently depre- ciated in value, were bid in by the chamber- lain on foreclosure for the amount of the as- sessment thereon. Held, That no remedy for the loss existed against the chamberlain. — Chesterman et al. v. Eyland et al., 416.
See ASSESSMENTS, 3, 4, 8, 9; CONSTITUTIONAL LAW, 2; PUBLIC OFFICE, 1, 2; QUO WARRANTO; REMOVAL, 1.
1. The keeping or manufacturing of gunpowder or fireworks does not necessarily constitute a nuisance per se; that depends on the locality, the quantity, and the surrounding circum- stances, and not entirely upon the degree of care used.-Heeg v. Licht, 169.
2. An owner of real property is liable for a pri- vate injury caused by a nuisance thereon, although the premises were occupied by his tenant at the time of the injury, provided the nuisance existed at the time of the de- mise.-Wenzlich v. McCotter, 499.
3. Anything which detracts from the safety of travelers, upon a highway or street, is a nuisance.-Id.
4. No question of negligence is involved in a case brought for damages for a private per- sonal injury resulting from a nuisance.-Id. 5. The negligence of one maintaining or permit- ting the nuisance does not excuse another who created the same. Both may be held jointly liable.-Id.
6. Water flowed into a pipe fixed by defendant so as to discharge the same on the sidewalk before his house, where, congealing, it caused a nuisance. Held, That the fact that it flowed into the pipe from adjoining premises is immaterial on the question of the owner of the pipe's liability for injuries to a third person, caused by such person's slipping on the ice on the sidewalk, resulting from the discharge from the pipe.-Id.
ORDER OF ARREST. See ARREST; TRESPASS, 1. ORDER OF SALE.
1. One S. accepted a devise of land charged with payment of a legacy, and afterwards conveyed the same to W., subject to the legacy. W. reconveyed a part to S., and the balance at different times to other parties. On foreclosure of the lien of the legacy the lands were sold in the inverse order of aliena- tion by W., enough being realized to satisfy the judgment without selling that conveyed to S. Held, no error; that the reconveyance by W. to S. constituted the land remaining in the hands of W. the primary fund for the payment of the legacy; and the fact that S. was personally liable and W. was not, did not affect this equity.-Hopkins v. Wooley,
2. It is the prevailing doctrine in courts of equity that real estate, subject to lien, which has been alienated in parcels to several persons at different times, shall be subjected
to payment of such lien in the inverse order of alienation.-The Nat. Saving Soc. of D. C. v. Creswell et al., 441. See MORTGAGE, 22.
1. Any citizen has the right to acquire property in oysters which he has planted upon a bed distinctly designated by stakes, and where no oysters were growing at the time. This right of property rests upon the same principle which governs that in fere noture which has been caught and re- claimed.-McCarty et al. v. Holman et al.,
2. It is a misdemeanor to take and carry away oysters so planted. Id.
The same right of property extends to and embraces the offspring of the parent oyster so planted, which remain in the bed so desig- nated.-Id.
4. Defendants justified a claimed conversion of property by attempting to show that the ground where the conversion took place was a common oyster bed before it was acquired by plaintiffs. Held, That a question to one of defendants' witnesses, whether he had ever got oysters on that ground before a certain time, but which was not limited in scope to a period prior to the planting of the beds by plaintiff, was properly excluded.-Id.
See CORPORATIONS, 20, 21, 23; CREDITORS BILL, 2; DIVORCE, 3; INSOLVENCY, 4; MORTGAGE, 3, 12; PARTNERSHIP, 11; PLEADING, 19.
1. A judgment in an action for the partition of such property which takes no notice of the rights of unborn children is not a bar to the contingent interest of persons not in esse when it is rendered.-Monarque v. Monarque et al., 118.
1. Where one of two or more partners under- takes by an incomplete and executory con- tract to transfer his interest in the firm to the others, such contract does not work a dissolution of the partnership until executed, and notice given to customers that such partnership is dissolved, based only on the authority of such executory contract, will not release such withdrawing partner from his liability for debts of the firm contracted after the making of such contract and before notice of the actual dissolution.-Pennock et al. v. White, 74.
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5. The members of a firm are not liable for the individual acts or debts or torts of one of the members in no way connected with the part- nership business.- Id.
6. Where the question as to whether under the circumstances a copartnership existed is de- pendent upon inferences to be drawn, and is a matter of doubt, the question is one of fact for the jury upon proper instructions.-Id. 7. When a party advances money to another, and for the use of the money he is to share in the profits of the transaction besides the interest upon the sum loaned, he cannot be held liable as a partner to third persons who deal with the borrower of the money.- Curry v. Fowler et al., 165.
8. Where one of two partners had sold the firm property to his son, at a sale made in fraud of the other, Held, That evidence tending to show the amount realized by the vendee from the property was inadmissible in an action for an accounting between the partners.-Flannagan v. Madden, 198.
9. The use of a firm name not representing actual existing partners is illegal, except by the remaining partners of a former firm who shall file a certificate with the county clerk showing who the remaining partners are, &c. -Lunt et al. v. Lunt, 329.
10. A firm cannot enforce a contract made by them while using such illegal firm name.— Id.
11. One member of a firm may sell and trans- fer the personal property of the firm, and in doing so he acts on behalf of the firm, and the transaction is in legal contemplation a sale made by the firm. The deceit or fraud practiced upon such member of the firm for the purpose of inducing such a sale is also, in legal contemplation, a fraud committted upon the firm and the injured parties to it, the members of the firm, may maintain their action for the injury, precisely as though the several members of the firm had participated in the sale, and in case one of the firm re-
fuses to join as plaintiff he may, under the Code, be made a party defendant.-Prouty et al. v. Whipple, 387.
12. In an action against A & B as partners, to
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13. Where it appears that a party was held out by his authority and consented to be a partner with another, the presumption arises that he was so held out to every customer and cred- itor.-ld.
14. By an agreement between J. & L., who were partners, L. purchased J.'s interest at a valuation of the firm property, paying partly in cash and partly in notes. In the final ad- justment an account was taken of the capital each had put in, the interest chargeable to and the amount drawn out by each partner. In an action on the notes, Held, That the referee was justified in finding that the indi- vidual accounts were embraced in the settle- ment; that this finding cast on L. the burden of impeaching the settlement for fraud or mistake.--Jagger v. Littlefield, 429.
15. At such settlement it was agreed that L. should have sole charge of a suit brought by the partners against one P., the costs and judgment to be divided between them. Held, that this was a settlement of their respective liabilities in such suit, and took it out of the partnership account, and that evidence of payments by L. on such costs was inadmis- sible.-Id.
16. The firm funds had been deposited in J.'s individual account. Defendant offered to show that such account was credited with firm funds not charged to J. on the firm books, by showing what other sources J. had of realizing money from. Held, inadmis- sible as not sufficient to show a misappropri- ation of the firm funds.-Id.
17. A cause of action existing in favor of one partner for damages for breach of copartner- ship articles, which has been set up as a coun- terclaim in an action by one of the partners for an accounting, cannot properly be made the subject matter of a subsequent suit for damages against the other partners.-Coster v. Llorens et al., 461.
18. Where a firm is dissolved, and the assets turned over to one of the partners upon the understanding that he should be allowed to retain sufficient of the proceeds to pay what- ever he was justly entitled to in consequence of damages to which he was entitled for a breach of the copartnership articles, an ac- ceptance of the assets with this understand- ing limits such partner to compensation therefrom.-Id.
19. A contract between one of several partners and a third person, by which the latter is to share in the profits and losses of the partner with whom the contract is made in the firm
business, does not make such third person a partner in the firm, or liable for the partner- ship debts.-Burnett v. Snyder, 483.
See BONDS, 2; CONTRACT, 6; ESTOPPEL, 6; RE- PLEVIN, 6; VOLUNTARY ASSOCIATIONS, 3.
1, An old wall between two buildings, from long user, in the absence of evidence, will be deemed presumptively a party wall, either by agreement to that effect, or from its be- ing built upon the line for that purpose by the respective owners.-Schile v. Brokhahne, 149.
2. While the owner of one of the buildings has a right to replace a party wall which has become so dilapidated as to be unsafe, and in so doing is not liable for damages, yet he will be liable if he interferes with it for his own benefit, as by raising it.—Id.
3. Plaintiff's business was interrupted by the tearing down of the wall between the build ings by defendant. Held, That plaintiff's loss of profits could be allowed as damages, and that evidence of the business and profits during the corresponding months of the previous year was competent on that point.— Id.
1. An indictment under 2 R. S., 682, § 8, for sub- ornation of perjury, averred that the prison- er, by the offer of a sum of money, at- tempted unlawfully and corruptly to procure one W. to commit wilful and corrupt perjury as to his sufficiency as surety on a bail bond. Held, Sufficient.-Stratton v. The People, 260. It is not necessary for the people to prove all the averments of the indictment. It is sufficient if enough of them are proven to make out the offense.-Id.
1. An answer, in an action upon certain promis- sory notes, which admits the making of the notes, and alleges that the notes were ex. ecuted by defendants for the accommodation of one D., who procured same to be dis- counted by plaintiff, who had full knowledge of all the facts, D. also giving to plaintiff at the same time a mortgage to secure their payment, which was ample security for such payment, and that an action is now pending to foreclose such mortgage, and asks that the suit on the notes be stayed until the termina- tion of the foreclosure suit, is not frivolous SO as to allow the court to strike out same upon motion. The Chatham Nat. Bk. v. Ship- man, 9.
1. Plaintiff, while working for defendant in 1862, invented an improvement in hinges, and ap- plied for a patent. In January, 1863, plain- tiff, in consideration of an agreement to pay him a royalty on all hinges manufactured as long as the patent should run, assigned to the company said invention, and authorized the issue of letters patent to it. The assign- ment was recorded, and a patent issued to the company in Dec., 1863. In an action for royalties, defendant claimed that it was not liable, as it was not organized until Aug., 1863. Held, That whether this was the first corporate organization, or a reorganization of a former company, was immaterial; that 2. A joint demurrer which is bad as to one of having adopted and acted under the agree- ment under which the assignment was made, and enjoyed its benefits, it was bound by it.-Bommer v. The Am. Spiral Spring Butt Hinge Mfg. Co., 470.
1. A payment is voluntary only to the amount which the party making it expresses a desire to pay; where plaintiff knew the fare over a ferry was in dispute, and was claimed by its lessee to be ten cents, and he gave the toll- collector ten cents, demanding four cents change, such payment is voluntary only to the extent of six cents.-Edwards v. Abeel, 84.
2. A witness testified positively to the payment of taxes by his principal, but on cross-exami- nation admitted that he was not present when
the parties is properly overruled.--Wheeler v. Crosby et al., 72.
3. In pleading a composition in bankruptcy the answer must allege all the facts which show that the court had jurisdiction of the parties and of the subject matter.-Cromwell v. Burr, 133.
4. Section 5119 of U. S. R. S., only applies to pleading a discharge, and does not apply to composition proceedings.-Id.
5. A moving affidavit for leave to amend the complaint, made by the attorney of the plaintiff, which merely states that the depo- nent deems further amendment of the com- plaint advisable, is insufficient to invoke ju- dicial discretion, and insufficient to support an order granting leave to amend.-Bewley v. The Equitable Life Ins. Co., 191.
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