Holt v. Nielson

109 P. 470, 37 Utah 566, 1910 Utah LEXIS 78

• Court: Utah Supreme Court
• Decided: June 6, 1910
• Docket: No. 2104
• Status: Published

Opinion

FRICK, J.

Respondent brought this action against the appellants to recover damages for their failure to deliver to him 300 head of buck sheep which respondent under the terms of a written agreement or bailment had delivered to appellants, and which agreement was set forth in full in the complaint, and, further, to recover damages for the value of certain wool which appellants had obtained from said sheep, and which it was alleged appellants had converted to their own use. In their answer appellants admitted the receipt of “300 head of rams” from respondent, and denied generally all the other allegations of the complaint. As affirmative defense appellants set forth in their answer that they had at a specified time returned to respondent “229 head of said rams referred to in the agreement mentioned in plaintiff’s complaint.” As a plea of accord and satisfaction, appellants further averred1' that, at a time subsequent to the delivery of said 229 bead, they bad also delivered “38 bead of defendants’ rams” wbicb were delivered and accepted “in full satisfaction, discharge, payment and delivery” for the rams set forth in respondent’s complaint. As a further defense, appellants set forth in their answer that respondent, before the bringing of this action, had instituted a former action against the appellants; that in said action certain matters relating to the cost' of keeping and feeding the sheep in question were in issue; that respondent failed to set forth in said action the matters now in issue, and, “because of his failure so to do, he has waived any and a-11 rights which he may have in the premises, and is thereby barred and estopped” from maintaining the present action. Respondent filed a reply in which he denied the affirmative matters set up in the answer, except that he had prosecuted a former action. He, however, alleged in his reply that both the parties and subject-matter in the former action were different from what they were in the present one. A trial upon the foregoing issues to a jury resulted in a verdict for the respondent. The court entered judgment upon the verdict, from which appellants prosecute this appeal.

There are seventy-seven errors assigned. The alleged errors relate to the admission and exclusion of evidence; to the giving of certain instructions to the jury, and the refusal to give certain requests asked by appellants; to misconduct on the part of respondent’s counsel at the trial; and to errors committed in refusing to retax costs. In appellants’ brief the errors that are argued are presented under twenty different heads. We remark that the record is quite voluminous, and the evidence is not of that character which permits us to set it forth, even in condensed form. Nor would a statement of the facts be of any particular advantage to either of the parties, the court or any one else. In view of the numerous assignments, and their character, we can do no more than to give our conclusions in the briefest possible terms. If we deem it necessary to refer to any of the facts, we shall do so in connection with tbe discussion of tbe particular assignment. Nor can we devote space for tbe purpose of inserting. tbe numerous instructions tbat are complained of nor tbe requests wbicb were refused. Tbe instructions were quite long. They covered all tbe issues, and fairly presented tbe theories of both sides to tbe jury. We shall only refer to tbe instructions by number, and, where necessary, state tbe subject to wbicb they relate. For convenience, we shall consider tbe assignments in tbe order in wbicb they are presented in appellants’ brief.

Tbe first one relates to an alleged error in giving instruction No. 4. In this instruction tbe court simply laid down a guide for tbe jury to follow for tbe purpose of determining tbe number of sheep appellants should account for to respondent. In tbe latter portion of tbe instruction, tbe court referred to tbe thirty-eight bead wbicb appellants claim were received by. respondent as an accord and satisfaction, as set forth in their answer. By inserting tbat matter tbe instruction became a little obscure. If it is read and considered in connection with tbe instructions wbicb follow it, tbe jury could not have been misled. Moreover, tbe instruction is excepted to as a whole, and we do not think it is bad in its entirety. We cannot say, however, tbat tbe appellants were prejudiced by tbe giving of this instruction.

Tbe next error assigned refers to instruction No. 5, as given by tbe court. We cannot agree with counsel for apt-pellants in their interpretation of tbat instruction. Viewing it as a whole and in tbe light of tbe evidence, we are of tbe opinion tbat tbe court committed no prejudicial error in giving it.

Nor is tbe alleged error with respect to tbe giving of instruction No. 6 availing. Here again tbe exception is to tbe' whole instruction. Tbe instruction, however, states a correct proposition of law when applied to tbe issues.

Tbe objection to instruction No. 7 cannot be sustained. While tbe instruction is not as clear and explicit as it could have been made, it nevertheless, when considered as a whole, fairly states the law applicable to both tbe issues and tbe evidence so far as either or both are covered by it. When, this charge is considered in connection with the other charges given by the court, appellants have no cause for complaint.

There is no merit to the contention that the court erred in giving instruction No. 8 to the jury. Nor did the- court err in refusing appellants’ request No. 5, if for no other reason than that the substance of the request was 1 fully covered by instruction No. 13 given by the court. The same result must follow with respect to the alleged error in refusing appellants’ request No. 12. In No. 19 of the court’s instructions all' that appellants ashed was given in language even more favorable to them than that contained in their request just referred to.

It is urged with some vigor that the court erred in refusing appellants’ request to direct a verdict for them. The contention is apparently based upon that part of affirmative matter contained in the answer by which appellants had set forth that respondent had waived or lost his right to recover in this action because he had failed to set forth the matter in issue in this action in a former action. We have carefully examined the pleadings in the former action, and nothing that was in dispute in this action was involved in the former. Nor can we see how respondent could have litigated the matters set forth in the complaint in this action in the former one. That action was based on a different agreement — one that was entered into at a different time. The present action was therefore not for the same cause of action. The question, therefore, is not one of “splitting” a 2 cause of action and bringing two actions where the law allows but one, and, if it is not, we know of no law or reason that requires a party to join all the causes of action he may have against one or more individuals in one action or complaint. There is no contention that the matter involved in this suit was res judicata, and. hence the court was clearly right in refusing the request.

The next assignment relates to some remarks the judge made during the trial in the presence of the jury. In doing so, it is contended error resulted because the judge in what was said “invaded tbe province of tbe jury.” What tbe court said follows: “As I understand you, be qualified it to that extent on cross-examination bimself. I do not see that there is anything to rebut or anything to deny. Tbe statement that is strongest against bis interest is always that one that is entitled to be considered.” In referring to tbe original bill of exceptions, it is there disclosed that tbe remarks made by tbe judge were called forth by a colloquy between counsel with respect to wbat a witness bad or bad not testified to. In mailing tbe statement tbe judge was addressing respondent’s counsel, and in that connection referred to tbe witness, as appears in tbe foregoing quotation. We cannot see bow appellants could have been prejudiced by wbat tbe court said under any condition in view of tbe circumstances under which tbe statement was made. Tbe contention that tbe court committed error is in our judgment wholly without merit.

Tbe next two assignments relate to similar remarks of tbe court. In our opinion appellants could have been affected in no legal right in anything tbe court said. Without setting forth tbe statements attributed to tbe judge, it must suffice to say that it is not easy to conceive bow the'judge could have said anything less harmful under tbe circumstances than be did, if be said anything at all on tbe subject.

Tbe next four assignments relate to errors which it is alleged tbe court committed in sustaining certain objections to certain questions appellants’ counsel propounded on cross-examination to repondent when testifying as a witness in bis own behalf. In again referring to tbe original bill of exceptions, it is made to appear that counsel for appellants sought to have respondent answer tbe question why be did' not include in tbe former action tbe matters set forth in tbe present complaint. Tbe objection that tbe question was not proper cross-examination was sustained. This same question was subsequently asked at three different times and in three different ways, and tbe objection thereto was sustained upon tbe same grounds. This is wbat is covered by tbe four assignments aforesaid. In ruling on tbe objection, tbe bill of exceptions shows that the court in addressing appellants’ counsel said: “The present ruling of the court is that it is not proper cross-examination. You. may have an opportunity at the proper time when you offer your evidence.” Moreover, if it were conceded (a matter not decided) that technically the court erred in excluding the answer of the witness at the time, yet it is apparent from the whole record that appellants’s counsel at different times during the trial got all of this evidence before the jury, and thus ob- 3, 4 tained the full benefit of the questions. This was all he was entitled to, and hence no prejudicial error was committed in sustaining the objections just referred to. In this connection it is well to remember that considerable discretion is vested in trial courts with respect to the extent that cross-examination shall be allowed in testing the memory or on any matters affecting the credibility of the witness, and unless it is made apparent that this discretion has been abused, to the prejudice of the losing party, a judgment will not ordinarily be reversed for a mere error in either restricting or extending the scope of the cross-examination. (Anderson v. Salt Lake & C. Ry. Co., 35 Utah, 509, 101 Pac. 579.)

There is no merit in the next three assignments, and for that reason we shall not discuss them.

Nor did the court err in sustaining the objection of respondent’s counsel to a certain question asked by appellant’s counsel of Mr. Howard, who testified as a witness on behalf of appellants. The question was propounded on redirect examination. On cross-examination the witness had been asked with respect to whether Mr. Nielson had not sold certain rams, which in no way were related to or had any connection with the. rams in controversy. On redirect counsel for appellants asked the witness this question: “How much did Nielson get a head for this whole lot he sold to Adams ?” By this lot counsel meant a certain lot of sheep. The court refused to permit the witness to answer over respondent’s objection. We cannot conceive how appellants were prejudiced by this ruling. Moreover the ruling was clearly right, if for no other reason than that the question 5, 6, 7 was not proper redirect examination. If tbe ruling was right for any reason, tbe court committed no error.

Tbe next assignment refers to a question asked a witness with regard to tbe number of sbeep appellants bad returned to respondent, and tbe witness answered “192.” Counsel contend tbis eveidence was entirely immaterial. If their theory of tbe case were accepted as the true, or only possible one, tbis contention might be sound. Under respondent’s theory of both tbe facts, and tbe law applicable thereto, tbe evidence was, however, quite material. What weight, if any, tbe answer of tbe witness should be given, under all tbe circumstances, was a question for tbe jury. Tbe court committed no error in permitting the answer. Again, if tbe court erred in permitting it, we cannot see in what way tbe answer was prejudicial to' tbe appellants’ rights.

Tbe next assignment relates to tbe exclusion of appellants’ Exhibit No. 4. Tbe exhibit was an agreement in writing entered into between a witness for respondent and one of tbe appellants relative to a sale and transfer of a large number of sbeep. Tbe witness bad testified to tbe condition and value of tbe sbeep respondent bad bailed and delivered to appellants under tbe contract in question, and also to tbe value and condition of those that appellants bad redelivered to respondent under said contract. Exhibit No. 4 contained certain statements with respect to tbe condition and value of tbe sbeep therein referred to, which statements appellants’ counsel contend did not square with tbe statements of tbe witness while testifying in tbis case. It is also contended that tbe statements contained in Exhibit No. 4 and tbe statements of tbe witness were contradictory or conflicting, and therefore tbe exhibit should have been admitted to contradict the statements of tbe witness with a view of affecting bis credibility. An examination of tbe bill of exceptions again discloses that counsel were not hampered in any way in getting before tbe jury all matters that in any way affected or could affect tbe credibility of tbe witness above referred to. Exhibit No. 4 was not proper evidence for any purpose in tbis case, and, in view of tbe surrounding circumstances, wbat was contained therein was not an admission of any fact by the witness which would in any way have contradicted or affected the weight of his testimony, even though the writing had not been excluded for other good and sufficient rea-, sons. The court committed no error in excluding the exhibit.

It is very strenuously insisted that the court erred in overruling appellants’ motion for a new trial. The apparent contention — indeed, the only available one, in viewi of what we have already said — is that a new trial should have been granted upon the ground of misconduct on the part of counsel for the prevailing party. The alleged misconduct is made to appear from an affidavit made by counsel for appellants. The affidavit is to the effect that counsel for respondent, at the trial, and during his closing argument to the jury, “frequently referred” to certain pleadings which were attempted to be filed in a former action, and to which we have ■ already referred; that the pleadings so referred to by counsel were in fact not permitted to be made a part of the pleadings in the former action, and never were offered or intro-dneed in evidence in the present action; that, in answer to appellants’ counsel’s argument that the present action was commenced in bad faith, and without right on the part of respondent, counsel for respondent referred to said pleadings and to their contents, and argued to- the jury that the reason that the matters complained of in the present action were not litigated in the former action was because the court on motion of appellants had eliminated1 the same from the pleadings in said action. Counsel for appellants therefore contend that in this way, and over their objection, respondent’s counsel was permitted to refer to extrinsic facts not in evidence, and by reason thereof appellants were prejudiced before the jury. In view of what is contained in the answer of appellants, and in the light of all that transpired at the trial in the presence of the court and jury, as disclosed by the record, we are not prepared to assent to counsel’s conclusions, namely, that respondent’s counsel had not the right to make the answer he did make to the arguments of counsel for appellants, or that making it in the manner it was made tbat appellants were prejudiced, or tbat tbey can now complain. In appellants’ answer filed in this case all tbe pleadings in tbe former action — tbat is, tbe complaint, tbe amended complaint, tbe so-called cross-complaint, and tbe reply thereto — were all “made a part hereof by reference tbat is, all tbe pleadings in tbe former action were 8 made a part of appellants’ answer by reference. Tbe matter objected to was contained in one of tbe pleadings aforesaid, bnt was not permitted as a part of tbe pleadings or issues in tbat case. It is apparent, however, tbat appellants intended to, and for tbe purpose of bringing tbe former pleadings, whether they controlled on tbe former trial or not, into this case, tbey made them a part of their answer by reference. Whether pleading by reference is good practice or not is not tbe question now. Tbe only question is whether appellants did not by their own act make tbe former pleadings a part of tbe answer in this case to tbe same extent as if tbe same bad actually been incorporated into their answer. If they did, and we are of tbe opinion tbat this was both tbe intended and actual effect of what was done, then counsel for tbe respondent bad tbe same right to refer to tbe pleadings in tbe former action tbat be 9 be bad to refer to anything tbat was contained in appellants’ answer, and no one contends tbat be was not authorized to refer to matters contained in tbe answer, although not formally introduced in evidence in this ease. In view of all tbe conditions and circumstances disclosed by tbe record in this case (and out decision is limited to these), we are of tbe opinion tbat tbe trial court would not have been justified in granting a new- trial upon tbe ground just discussed, and hence appellants have no legal cause for complaint.

One cannot read tbe brief of counsel for tbe appellants without being impressed tbat tbey feel tbat their clients have been prejudiced by tbe rulings of tbe trial court in tbe matters to which we have referred. Upon reading tbe entire record, however, tbe disinterested and unbiased mind becomes convinced tbat tbe alleged errors are more apparent than real — technical rather than substantial. Many, if not all, of counsels’ contentions must, therefore, be attributed to their zeal in attempting to protect at all hazards the interests of their clients. Zeal, when not permitted to go to extremes, is not only pardonable, but even commendable. Counsel should, however, remember that zeal, like the microscope, magnifies and distorts only to him who applies it to the object or image. To all others all things retain their natural size and due proportions. The court in dealing with a subject must therefore deal with it in its natural proportions, and in doing so must necessarily disappoint counsel at times. In this case the evidence is such that the jury might well have rendered a verdict for a larger amount for the respondent, and they would also have been fully justified in finding in favor of the appellants. These matters, however, were for the jury to determine, and if they did so 10 under proper directions from the court, with regard to the law applicable to the facts, the judgment of the jury must prevail, although not in accord with what we might have done. In looking over the entire charge of the court, we cannot find anything except mere verbal inaccuricies, which, however, were not of the character that would either benefit one side or prejudice the other. In the trial of the case the court was very liberal in admitting evidence, and both sides were given ample opportunity to develop their respective theories and to present them to the jury. After viewing the case in the light of the whole record, we are unable to find any prejudicial error on the merits of the case.

Finally, it is contended that the court erred in overruling appellants’ motion to retax costs. The record as presented on this point is not satisfactory. So far as the 11 record discloses, the only evidence with respect to the matters complained of was hearsay, and hence the court might have ignored it. Assuming, however, for the purposes of this decision that the evidence was sufficient to raise the point, the question still remains whether appellants’ contentions should prevail. The matter arose as follows H'espond-exit-, before tbe trial, bad a subpoena issued in due form, in wbicb tbe names of at least four of bis witnesses were inserted. These witnesses lived in Salt Labe County, but some distance from Salt Lake City, where tbe court was held. Tbe return of tbe sheriff showed due service on tbe witnesses named, and they all attended and testified in tbe case. Counsel for appellants in bis affidavit in support of tbe motion to retas costs, in substance, states that tbe deputy sheriff told counsel that tbe deputy bad served tbe subpoena as follows: After receiving tbe subpoena be telephoned tbe witnesses at their homes that be bad a subpoena for them requiring their attendance at tbe trial of this case; that tbe witnesses thereupon came to Salt Lake City, and, when they arrived there, tbe sheriff gave each of them a copy of tbe subpoena, and made service and return as required by law. Section 994, Comp. Laws 1907, in substance, provides that every witness “legally required to attend' tbe district court ... is entitled to $1.50 for each day’s attendance, and twenty cents for each mile actually and necescarily traveled, in going only.” Section 3419, in part, provides that tbe “service of a subpoena is made by showing tbe original and delivering a copy, or a ticket containing its substance, to tbe witness personally, or by leaving a copy with some suit- 12 able person at tbe place of bis abode.” Service of subpoenas may be made by any person.

It is contended that tbe witnesses were not properly served with subpoenas, and were not “legally required to attend tbe district court,” and hence not entitled to milage. Counsel have not referred us to any authorities upon tbe subject, and have submitted tbe matter upon tbe several sections of tbe statute we have referred to. In view of tbe authorities that we have been able to find by independent research, we think a witness within tbe distance that be could be legally ■required to attend court when served with a subpoena may waive tbe manner of service and may accept service in soma other form, though not in strict compliance with tbe statute, and, when be does so, be will be required to respond in obedience to the subpoena the same as though served in strict conformity with the statute.

In the case entitled Mt. Olivet, etc., Ass'n v. Dalton, 53 Mo. App. 345, the rule, as stated in the syllabus, is as follows: “A witness, who accepts service of a subpoena, attends under process and not voluntarily, and is entitled to his costs, including mileage.” This ease is followed in McHoney v. Kerwin, 56 Mo. App. 459. In Feree v. Strome, 1 Yeates (Pa.) 303, it is held that “a witness may by his own act dispense with the legal forms of serving a subpoena, and will be under contempt for non-attendance.” Practically the same rule is laid down in Chic., etc., Ry. Co. v. Dunning, 18 Ill. 494. In Pike v. Nash, 16 How. Prac. (N. Y.) 53, it is held that a witness, although served at a point other and nearer to the court than his home, is nevertheless entitled to mileage for the entire distance between the court and his home. The doctrine laid down in the foregoing cases seems both reasonable and just. Suppose the sheriff a day or several days before the trial of this case had met respondent’s witnesses in Salt Lake City, and had there served them with the 13 subpoena in due form, could they not have gone to their homes in the meantime and on the day they were required to attend court have returned to Salt Lake City, and thus become entitled to mileage for the distance between their home and Salt Lake City ? Where is there any difference in principle between the supposed case and the one at bar ? In this case the witnesses were in fact duly served with a subpoena, but the service was made in Salt Lake City, and not at their homes. The witnesses in a strict legal sense were then legally required to attend court, although they were served at a place other than their homes. We think a ’reasonable construction of our statute with respect to the allowance of mileage requires us to hold that mileage be allowed for the entire distance between the home, the abode of the witness, and the place where the court is held, or where he is required to attend, and not only from the place where he was served with a subpoena. From what we have said, we do not wish to be understood as holding that a witness may claim mileage from bis borne in case be is suddenly called on to testify while be is in court, or if found in tbe street or elsewhere at or near the place of bolding court. What we mean is that if a witness leaves bis home in obedience to a subpoena, or 'if be is served with a subpoena while away from home, and, before being required to testify, be, in due course of bis business, returns to bis home, then tbe foregoing rule applies, and tbe witness is entitled to mileage. In#tbis case there is no evidence that the witnesses were not served some time before tbe day of tbe trial, and that they did not in due course of business return to their homes and 14 from thence return to testify in tbe case. Tbe ruling of tbe court, therefore, cannot be said to be erroneous. If such is not tbe construction to be placed upon tbe statute, then litigants may frustrate tbe entire purpose of tbe statute by watching for and embracing tbe opportunity to serve witnesses when they are at or near tbe place where court is held. Moreover, we cannot see why a witness may not waive strict compliance with tbe statute with respect to service of a subpoena, and yet be legally required to attend court. No doubt in order to be required to attend tbe witness in tbe first instance may insist upon strict legal service, but it seems to us that tbe decisions in which it is held that be may accept substituted service and still be required to attend are manifestly based on good reason and sound legal principles.

In so far as tbe facts disclosed by the record are concerned tbe trial court could therefore have adopted either view of tbe law as outlined herein, and still have avoided legal error in overruling appellants’ motion to retax costs.

Tbe judgment, therefore, should be, and it accordingly is, affirmed, with costs to respondent.

McCANTY, J., and LEWIS, District Judge, concur.