Chester Gaslight Co. v. Baker

Appellate Terms of the Supreme Court of New York

Chester Gaslight Co. v. Baker

88 N.Y.S. 389

CourtAppellate Terms of the Supreme Court of New York

DecidedMay 19, 1904

StatusPublished

This text of 88 N.Y.S. 389 (Chester Gaslight Co. v. Baker) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Appellate Terms of the Supreme Court of New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Chester Gaslight Co. v. Baker, 88 N.Y.S. 389 (N.Y. Ct. App. 1904).

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Opinion

SCOTT, J.

The complaint alleged the sale to defendant of a lamp at the agreed price of $22.50. The answer, which is in writing, con[390]*390sisted merely of a general denial. The sale and promise to pay were conclusively proven by a written contract signed by defendant. Although the issues were thus narrowed by the pleadings, the real defense upon which the action was tried was that the lamp was sold upon a 30-days approval, and that it did not work properly; and the justice apparently decided the cause in defendant’s favor upon the theory that this defense had been made out. In this we think that he erred. Not only was the written contract absolute in its promise to pay, but the circumstances attending the execution of the contract negative the defendant’s story that the lamp was delivered subject to approval. The defendant had previously bought a lamp from plaintiff, which, after trial, did not suit him. Plaintiff’s agent called on defendant, and, after some conversation, and the examination of cuts or plates showing different patterns of lamps, the agent, on plaintiff’s behalf, agreed to take back the lamp first sold, and in place thereof to deliver the lamp which is the subject of this action. This second lamp was delivered, and put up and used by defendant for two days before he signed the contract, which he read over carefully before signing. The defendant says that he had difficulty with the lamp during those two days, but nevertheless even after that trouble he signed the contract, absolute in form. Even if it be assumed, as was neither alleged nor proven, that plaintiff’s agent, when selling the lamp, undertook that it should be in perfect condition when delivered, and capable of doing the work required of it, there is absolutely no proof that the trouble arose frpm any defect in the lamp itself; and there was evidence that whatever trouble was experienced might have arisen, and probably did arise, from careless or ignorant handling.

Judgment reversed and new trial ordered, with costs to appellant to abide the event. All concur.

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SCOTT, J.

The complaint alleged the sale to defendant of a lamp at the agreed price of $22.50. The answer, which is in writing, con[390]*390sisted merely of a general denial. The sale and promise to pay were conclusively proven by a written contract signed by defendant. Although the issues were thus narrowed by the pleadings, the real defense upon which the action was tried was that the lamp was sold upon a 30-days approval, and that it did not work properly; and the justice apparently decided the cause in defendant’s favor upon the theory that this defense had been made out. In this we think that he erred. Not only was the written contract absolute in its promise to pay, but the circumstances attending the execution of the contract negative the defendant’s story that the lamp was delivered subject to approval. The defendant had previously bought a lamp from plaintiff, which, after trial, did not suit him. Plaintiff’s agent called on defendant, and, after some conversation, and the examination of cuts or plates showing different patterns of lamps, the agent, on plaintiff’s behalf, agreed to take back the lamp first sold, and in place thereof to deliver the lamp which is the subject of this action. This second lamp was delivered, and put up and used by defendant for two days before he signed the contract, which he read over carefully before signing. The defendant says that he had difficulty with the lamp during those two days, but nevertheless even after that trouble he signed the contract, absolute in form. Even if it be assumed, as was neither alleged nor proven, that plaintiff’s agent, when selling the lamp, undertook that it should be in perfect condition when delivered, and capable of doing the work required of it, there is absolutely no proof that the trouble arose frpm any defect in the lamp itself; and there was evidence that whatever trouble was experienced might have arisen, and probably did arise, from careless or ignorant handling.

Judgment reversed and new trial ordered, with costs to appellant to abide the event. All concur.

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Bluebook (online)

88 N.Y.S. 389, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/chester-gaslight-co-v-baker-nyappterm-1904.