Alexander v. City of Statesville

165 N.C. 527

• Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina
• Decided: May 13, 1914
• Status: Published

Opinion

"Walker, J.,

after stating the case: The plaintiff’s counsel requested the court to charge the jury that the first issue should be answered affirmatively if they believed the evidence. This, if given, would of course be virtually a withdrawal of the fact involved in the main issue, as to negligence, from the finding of the jury, leaving them only to decide upon the credibility of the evidence. The form of the prayer, as we have frequently said, is not to be commended, as the jury may believe the evidence and yet not be willing to find that the fact of negligence has been established by it. Sossamon v. Cruse, 133 N. C., 470; Merrell v. Dudley, 139 N. C., 57; S. v. Blackwell, 162 N. C., 672. But waiving this defect for the present, we do not think the prayer was in other respects a proper one. The question of negligence was not one merely of law, to be declared by the court, as the evidence was conflicting, and, therefore, the .jury should have passed upon it and found the facts. Russell v. R. R., 118 N. C., 1112; Hardison v. R. R., 120 N. C., 492; Spruill v. Insurance Co., ibid., 141; Everitt v. Receivers, 121 N. C., 521. Tbe evidence was of sucb a kind that, upon tbe question of negligence, more tban one inference may be drawn from it, and two fair-minded persons of equal intelligence may have differed in regard to it and formed different conclusions. Graves v. R. R., 136 N. C., 3; Ramsbottom v. R. R., 138 N. C., 38. “When tbe facts are controverted or tbe negligence is not so clearly shown that tbe court can pronounce upon it, as matter of law, tbe case should go to tbe jury with proper instructions, so that they may apply tbe law to any given state of facts as found by them.” Graves v. R. R., supra.

In order to give an affirmative answer to tbe first issue, tbe jury would be required-to find two facts: first, that there was negligence, and, second, that this negligence was tbe proximate cause of tbe injury. Brewster v. Elizabeth City, 137 N. C., 392. Passive negligence is harmless, and it is only when it is active and tbe direct or efficient cause of tbe injury that it becomes actionable. Plaintiff was required, therefore, to show, tbe clear burden being upon him to do so, that tbe negligence, if any, proximately caused tbe damage. It is a breach of duty owing by defendant to tbe plaintiff from which damage, not remotely, but directly, ensues, that gives him a cause of action. We held in Byrd v. Express Co., 139 N. C., 275, that negligence of a defendant followed by an injury does not make him liable therefor, “unless tbe connection between cause and effect is established, and tbe negligent act of tbe defendant would not only be tbe cause, but tbe proximate cause, of the injury.” Equally emphatic is tbe language of tbe Court in Hauser v. Telegraph Co., 150 N. C., 557; Hoaglin v. Telegraph Co., 161 N. C., 398; Hocutt v. Telegraph Co., 147 N. C., 186. Plaintiff must first prove actionable negligence before tbe defendant is called upon to show negligence on tbe part of tbe plaintiff which contributed to tbe injury.

What was tbe duty of tbe defendant to tbe plaintiff in this case? A city does not insure or warrant tbe safe condition of its streets. It must beep and maintain them in a reasonably safe condition, and exercise ordinary care and due diligence to see if they are so kept and maintained. Smith v. Winston, 162 N. C., 50, and cases cited therein. After stating that the authorities of a city, town, or village are charged with the duty of keeping its streets in a “reasonably safe condition” only and to the extent that this can be done by the exercise of due care and supervision, Justice Holce says, in Fitzgerald v. Concord, 140 N. C., 110: “The town is not héld to warrant that the condition of its streets shall be at all times absolutely safe. It is only responsible for a negligent breach of duty, and to establish such responsibility it is not sufficient to show that a defect existed and that an injury has been caused thereby. It must be further shown that the officers of the town knew, or by ordinary diligence might have discovered, the defect, and the character of the defect was such that injuries to travelers therefrom might reasonably be anticipated.”

The record shows that the judge who presided at the trial of this cause charged the jury in exact accordance with the principle thus so clearly stated in that- case, and which has since been approved so often. White v. New Bern, 146 N. C., 447; Revis v. Raleigh, 150 N. C., 353; Johnson v. Raleigh, 156 N. C., 269. The city undoubtedly had the right, and it was its duty, if required by the public convenience, to widen, regrade, and otherwise improve Bell Street, and is not responsible to any one for the manner of doing so, provided its authorities exercised due care in doing the work. The liability of the city to pedestrians and others using the street is based upon negligence — the absence of that care which a man of ordinary prudence would bestow upon the work under like circumstances. If the structure was defective in any particular, the city is not liable for consequent damage, unless a person of ordinary prudence, in the exercise of care, should have anticipated that injuries to travelers or others using the street would occur. ~We so held in Fitzgerald's case, supra. This was a question for the jury, upon all the facts and circumstances.

In this case it appears that the concrete walk, which was used by the public, including school children, was on the opposite side.of the street; at least there was evidence of this fact, that there was no sidewalk on the south side, and that there was a clear way for all persons to pass and repass between the head-walls. It further appears that the head-wall on the south side was elevated above the street level, so that in itself it formed a barrier on that side of the street. These and other facts and circumstances were for the jury to consider upon the question of negligence and proximate cause, and the judge fully explained their bearing from a legal standpoint upon the question at issue. His charge, in some respects, was really more favorable to the plaintiff than he had the right to expect, and he gave substantially all of plaintiff’s requests for instructions to. which he was, in law, entitled.

Upon the question of plaintiff’s contributory negligence, he properly confined his charge to the second issue, which separately and independently involved an inquiry into that matter. As to the plaintiff’s age and his incapacity arising out of his tender years, it may be said that the question of contributory negligence, on his part, is not to be determined alone by the fact of his youth, except in extreme cases; but other considerations enter into the question, as, for instance, his degree of capacity or intelligence. Some boys are much brighter, smarter, and more capable than others who are much older, and better able to take care of themselves. The youth of the person must be considered, of course, but with the qualification already made, it is not the only test, and the presumption of incapacity to protect himself is not always a conclusive one. This bo"y was intelligent and bright, as it appears from the evidence, and the jury could have inferred that, if left alone and not pushed or shoved over the edge of the head-wall by another, he would have been able to take care of himself and have escaped injury. The rule was thus stated by Justice Connor in Rolin v. Tobacco Co., 141 N. C., 300: “It is hardly necessary to add that contributory negligence on the plrt of the minor is to be measured by his age and his ability to discern and appreciate the circumstances of danger. He is not chargeable with the same degree of care as an experienced adult, but is only required to exercise such prudence as one of his years may be expected to possess. As tbe standard of care thus varies with the age, capacity, and experience of the child, it is usually, if not always, when the child is not wholly irresponsible, a question' of fact for the jury whether a child exercised the ordinary care and prudence of a child similarly situated; and if such care was exercised, a recovery can be had for an injury negligently inflicted, no matter-how far the care used by the child falls short of the standard which the law exacts for determining what is ordinary care in a person of full age and capacity,” citing Am. G. and F. Co. v. Armentrodt, 214 Ill., 509; Plumly v. Birge, 124 Mass., 57; 7 A. and E. Enc., 409.

Labatt on Master and Servant (Ed. 1904), sec. 348, says that “the essential and controlling conception by which a minor’s right of action is determined with reference to the existence or absence of contributory fault is that his capacity is the measure of his responsibility. If he has not the ability to foresee and avoid the danger to which he may be exposed, negligence will not be imputed to him if he unwittingly exposes himself to that danger. For the exercise of such measure of capacity and discretion as he possesses, he is responsible.” -

The rule generally approved, and which has been adopted by this Court, was thus stated in R. R. v. Gladmon, 15 Wall. (U. S.), 401 (21 L. Ed., 114): “The rule of law in regard to the negligence of an adult and the rule in regard to that of an infant of tender years is quite different. By the adult there must be given that care and attention for his own protection that is ordinarily exercised by persons of intelligence and discretion. If he fails to give it, his injury is the result of his own folly,, and cannot be visited upon another. Of an infant of tender years less discretion is required, and the degre'e depends upon his age and knowledge. Of a child of 3 years of age less caution would be required than of one of 7; and of a child of 7, less than of one of 12 or 15. The caution required is according to the maturity and capacity of the child, and this is to be determined in each case by the circumstances of that case,” citing Sh. and Redf. on Neg., sec. 49; Morgan v. R. R., 38 N. Y., 455; R. R. v. McTighe, 46 Pa., 316, and other authorities. Gladmon's case bas been followed by tbis Court in Manly v. R. R., 74 N. C., 655; Murray v. R. R., 93 N. C., 92; Bottom v. R. R., 114 N. C., 699. In Bottom’s case tbe Court refers to Gladmons case and Robinson v. Cone, 22 Vt., 213, as stating tbe correct rule, and takes tbis passage from tbe Robinson case: “All,” says Judge Bedfield, in delivering tbe opinion, “tbat is required of an infant plaintiff in sucb a case (where a child was injured in a highway) being tbat be exercise care and prudence equal to bis capacity.” Tbe passage which we have taken from Gladmoris case was quoted by Chief Justice Smith, with full approval, in Murray v. R. R., supra, as containing a correct statement of tbe rule applicable in sucb cases. See, also, Serano v. R. R., 188 N. Y., 156; Slattey v. Ill. Co., 190 Mass., 79; Wallace v. R. R., 26 Oregon, 180 (25 L. R. Anno. (O. S.), 667); Reed v. City of Madison, 83 Wis., 176 (17 L. R. Anno. (O. S.), 736); Westbrook v. R. R., 66 Miss., 560 (14 Am. St. Rep., 587); R. R. v. Stout, 17 Wall., 657 (21 L. Ed., 745); Moore v. R. R., 99 Pa., 301; Cosgrove v. Ogden, 49 N. Y., 255; Ridenhour v. R. R., 102 Mo., 270; Mackey v. Vicksburg, 64 Fed., 77; Thurber v. R. R., 60 N. Y., 326.

It was said in R. R. v. Stout, supra: “To entitle an adult to recover damages for an injury from tbe fault or negligence of another, be must himself have been free from fault; but sucb is not tbe rule in regard to an infant of tender years. Tbe care and caution required of a child is according to bis maturity and capacity only, and tbis is to be determined by tbe circumstances of each case.” In tbat case tbe child was between 6 and 7 years of age, and tbe rule of tbe Gladmon case was applied. So it was said in Westerjield v. Levis, 'supra (child 5 years and 7 months) : “Tbe rule which exempts a child of tender years from responsibility, while it may not operate justly in every possible ease, on tbe whole promotes tbe ends of justice, and we followed tbe authorities which held tbat a child of tbe age of appellant is prima facie exempt from responsibility, but testimony is admissible to show tbe contrary,” citing many authorities. And tbe same doctrine was applied in Stone v. Dry Dock Co., 115 N. Y., 104, where tbe child was about tbe same age as was plaintiff in this ease, and the Court said: “In administering civil remedies 'the law does not fix any arbitrary period when an infant is deemed capable of exercising judgment and discretion. It has been said in one case that an infant 3 or 4 years of age-could not be regarded as sui juris, and the same was said in another case of an infant 5 years of age. On the other hand, it was said in Cosgrove v. Ogden (49 N. Y., 255), that a lad 6 years of age could not be assumed to be incapable of protecting himself from danger in streets or roads, and in another case thaj; a boy of 11 years of age was competent to be trusted in the- streets of a city. From the nature of the case it is impossible to prescribe a fixed period when a child becomes sui- juris. Some children reach the point earlier than others. It depends upon many things, such as natural capacity, physical conditions, training, habits of life and surroundings. These and other circumstances may enter into the question. It becomes, therefore, a question of fact for the jury where the inquiry is material, unless the child is of so very tender years that the court can safely decide the fact,” citing cases.

It will be found that in several of the cases we have relied on, the child in question was younger than was plaintiff in this case at the time of the injury. Unless the child be extremely young, so that we.can say, without doubt, that he is incapable of committing an act of negligence, the question should be submitted to the jury to decide- according to his age, intelligence, and capacity, and the particular facts and circumstances of the case which may shed any light upon it. There are facts in this case from which the jury could infer that plaintiff had capacity sufficient to care for himself.

The question of proximate cause was properly submitted to the jury for their determination, and was not a' pure question of law upon the facts. It was for the jury to say whether it could reasonably have been anticipated that injury would result to the plaintiff from the then critical- condition of the street. The fact was not -so conclusively. established against the defendant 'as to require its withdrawal .from the jury. Wheeler v. Gibbon, 126 N. C., 811.

The jury, under correct instruction, bave found that defendant was not guilty of negligence, and .it, therefore, was not necessary to consider tbe second issue, but we bave discussed tbe question of plaintiff’s capacity because of tbe position taken by plaintiff, on tbe argument, in regard to it. .

Tbe case of Drum v. Miller, 135 N. C., 204, is not applicable. There is only one way tbe boy could have been hurt, and this is by falling from tbe bead-wall. He might have peered over tbe edge or brink of this small precipice and gratified bis curiosity with perfect safety, bad be not been shoved or pushed over by bis companions.

No error.