Cleveland Worsted Mills Co. v. Myers-Jolesch Co.

109 A. 662, 266 Pa. 309, 1920 Pa. LEXIS 558

• Court: Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
• Decided: February 2, 1920
• Docket: Appeal, No. 43
• Status: Published

Opinion

Opinion by

Mr. Justice Simpson,

Plaintiff sued to recover the price of certain yarn sold and delivered to defendant. The latter admitted liability therefor, but alleged the yarn was inferior in quality and hence it was only obliged to pay the actual value thereof; also that the sale was made under a special contract by which plaintiff agreed but later refused to deliver certain other yarn to defendant, whereby it suffered a loss in excess of plaintiff’s claim. Upon the trial of these issues the jury rendered a verdict for defendant with a certificate in its favor. A motion for a new trial was made, a number of reasons being specified but apparently only one considered, the court below saying in conclusion: “This question was not raised at the trial and there is no exception upon the record as to the trial judge’s ruling in regard to the measure of damages. We believe, however, that in the interest of justice a new trial should be granted, in order that the plaintiff may have the measure of damages properly submitted to a jury.”

Defendant now appeals from the order granting a new trial, averring an abuse of discretion because, as it alleges, the charge to the jury was correct. We cannot so hold, however, for the “interest of justice” may well demand a new trial be granted in order that an important question in the cause may be so raised on the record as to permit of its consideration on appeal, and this whether or not it was properly decided at the trial.

If the question or questions decided do not depend on oral evidence, are conclusive of the whole case, and nothing is left but to enter the judgment which their determination requires, we may well reverse an erroneous order granting a new trial; because, in that event, a retrial would be an injustice, antagonistic to the constitutional provision entitling suitors to “justice......without sale, denial or delay.” But where, as here, there are other questions raised in the cause, some of which must be determined upon a consideration of oral evidence, we necessarily largely rely upon the judgment of the court below, which best knows what are the requirements of justice in such cases (Mirkil v. Morgan, 134 Pa. 144, 155) ; and Ave ought not to interfere with the exercise of its discretion simply because in its opinion it refers to but one of the questions at issue between the parties. If we did we would be compelled to revieAV also all the other points raised in the court beloAV, without the aid which its consideration thereof would give us (Allen v. Sawyer, 2 P. & W. 325), and thereby we might do injustice to one litigant, while attempting to avoid it as to the other.

Our action herein must not be considered as deciding anything regarding the proper measure of damages in such cases as the present. That question will be decided when it comes before us in due course.

The appeal is dismissed.