Mallory v. Tioga Railroad — 36 How. Pr. 202

Majority

p. 202

COURT OF APPEALS.

William M. Mallory, respondent, agt. The Tioga Railroad company, appellants.

Headnote

A foreign corporation cannot avail itself of the statute of limitations in a suit against it heve.

Where there is’ evidence that the plaintiff performed the services claimed, and also evidence as to its value; the extent of the services and the amount to be allowed therefor, are subjects for the consideration of the jury. In such case the court-can neither non-suit the plaintiff nor direct a verdict for the defendant, on the ground that the evidence is insufficient.

Where a letter and an indorsement upon its back evidence a perfect contract, its terms cannot be varied or contradicted by parol proof

If a party is dissatisfied with the conclusion of a fact stated by the judge at the trial, he should ask to have the question submitted to the jury. Without such request, an exception to the ruling of the court only brings up the question of law based on his assumption of fact.

January Term, 1867.

The plaintiff" claimed to recover in this action for transporting and distributing cross-ties, iron rails, chairs and spikes, along the line of the defendants' road, intended for use in its reparation. But the justice at the trial limited the right of recovery to the transportation and delivery of cross-ties only, holding that, the rails, chairs and spikes were transported and distributed under an agreement with the plaintiff and Bostwick, that that service was to be without charge, in consideration of the free use of the defendants’ road during the period of transportation.

The question now is, whether the recovery by the plaintiff for the transportation and distribution of the ties can be sustained. At the close of the evidence the defendants' counsel requested the court to direct a verdict for the defendants, on the ground that the evidence was insufficient to enable the court or jury to determine the extent or amount of plaintiff's claim for services; and also asked the court to

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rule that the plaintiff’s claim was barred by the statute of limitations.

C. W. Reynolds, for appellants.

C. H. Thomson, for respondent.

The learned judge before whom the trial was. conducted, properly declined compliance with these requests. The point in regard to the statute of limitations, is not now urged. It seems that the services were rendered in June, July and August, 1852, and this action was commenced July 17th, 1858, less, than six years from the termination of the services. Besides, the defendants are a foreign corporation, and consequently cannot avail themselves of the statute of limitations. (Olcott agt. The Tioga Railroad Co. 20 N. Y. R. 210.)

Nor could the judge have properly directed a verdict for the defendants on the ground that the evidence was insufficient to enable the court or jury to determine the extent or amount of the claim. There was evidence that the plaintiff performed the services, and also evidence as to its value. The extent of the services and the amount to be allowed, therefor, were subjects for the consideration of the jury. In such case the court can neither non-suit the plaintiff, nor direct a verdict for the defendants. (Van Rensselaer agt. Jewett, 2 N. Y. R. 135.)

There was evidence given, showing, that the transportation of the rails, chairs and spikes was provided for in a lease of the road to Bostwickand the plaintiff, wherein it was agreed that the transportation of those articles was to be without charge, in consideration of the use of the road, during the period of transportation.

The contract or lease was evidenced by a letter from the president of the road to Bost'wick and Mallory, and an indorsement thereon by Bostwick. The defendants’ counsel offered to prove the terms of the lease by parol. This was excluded on the ground that the agreement appeared to be

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in writing. The letter and the indorsement thereon should be read together. The letter had been put in evidence and carried with it the indorsement, which, in the absence of any explanatory proof, must be deemed to constitute a part of the paper on which it was written; especially as it related in direct terms thereto, bore the same date, and purported to be a material and substantial part of it. Eead together, the papers evidenced a perfect contract, the terms of which, of course, could not be contradicted or varied by parol proof. The offer was, therefore, properly overruled.

The purpose of the evidence offered doubtless was, although not stated, to show that it was agreed that the ties, as well as the rails, chairs and spikes, were to be transported without charge. If so, it was an attempt to introduce into the written contract a new condition changing its import and effect in a very material sense—hence inadmissible.

In regard to the defendants’ set-off, the learned judge held that the evidence showed that the claim was settled, or if not settled, that it was barred by the statute of limitations.

There was evidence tending to prove, if not definitely and clearly proving, that the defendants’ claim interposed as a set-oil was settled. The judge assumed, when called upon to speak on that subject, that the fact stood proved.

If dissatisfied with such assumption, the party should have requested to have that question submitted to the jury. In the absence of such request, the party will be deemed to have acquiesced in the assumption of fact stated by the court. (Barnes agt. Perrine, 12 N. Y. R. 18, 23; The People agt. Cook, 8 N. Y. R. 78; Dows agt. Rush, 28 Barb. 157 , 180 ; Holton agt. Moses, 3 Barb. 31 ; Winchell agt. Hicks, 18 N. Y. R. 558.) If dissatisfied with the conclusion of fact stated by the judge, the party should ask to have the question submitted to the jury. Without such request, an exception to the ruling of the court only brings up the question of law based on his assumption of fact.

As the case is here presented, it must be deemed to be an

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accepted fact, as stated by the judge, that the defendants’ claim for set-off had been settled; hence it could not be allowed in this action. I will add, however, that the facts proved fully justified the conclusion expressed by the learned judge on the trial, and it is equally clear that the claim was barred by the statute of limitations.

But the views above expressed render further examination of the case unnecessary.

The judgment should be affirmed.

All concur in the above opinion.

Cases cited

Dows v. Rush 28 Barb. 157 N.Y. Sup. Ct. 1858-09-20 at 180 p. 204
Nolton v. Moses 3 Barb. 31 N.Y. Gen. Term 1848-05-02 p. 204