Knowles v. Blue

95 So. 481, 209 Ala. 27, 1923 Ala. LEXIS 335

• Court: Supreme Court of Alabama
• Decided: January 18, 1923
• Docket: 3 Div. 598.
• Status: Published

Opinion

THOMAS, J.

The suit for damages was filed March 13, demurrer to the complaint of date of March 25, and the verdict and judgment for defendants rendered and entered on April 20, 1922. The law of such a case is well defined by this court. Talley v. Whitlock, 199 Ala. 28, 73 South. 976; Parsons v. Yolande Coal & Coke Co., 206 Ala. 642, 91 South. 493; Barfield v. South Highlands Infir., 191 Ala. 553, 68 South. 30, Ann. Cas. 1916C, 1097; Robinson v. Crotwell, 175 Ala. 194, 57 South. 23; Carpenter v. Walker, 170 Ala. 659, 54 South. 60, Ann. Cas. 1912D, 863; Hamrick v. Shipp, 169 Ala. 191, 52 South. 932; Shelton v. Hacelip, 167 Ala. 217, 51 South. 937; McDonald, Exec. v. Harris, 131 Ala. 359, 31 South. 548.

Several assignments of error are based on the refusal to grant plaintiff a continuance for the term. There was no specific motion to pass the case to a later date of that term.

It is well recognized such motions are addressed to the sound judicial discretion of the trial court, and that appellate courts will not reverse action thereon unless it is obvious and palpable that there was an abuse of judicial discretion in granting or refusing such motion. Lutz v. Van Heynigen Brokerage Co., 202 Ala. 234, 80 South. 72; Berthold, etc., v. Geo. W. Phalin Lumber Co., 196 Ala. 362, 71 South. 989: Birmingham Paint, etc., Co., v. Gillespie, 163 Ala. 408, 50 South. 1032; Kelly v. State, 160 Ala. 48, 49 South. 535; Ex parte , Scudder-Gale Gro. Co., 120 Ala. 434, 25 South. 44; Denson v. Stanley, 17 Ala. App. 198, 84 South. 770. The same rule obtains as to the action of the trial court on a motion for postponement of the trial to a later date in the term. A. G. S. R. Co. v. Hill, 93 Ala. 514, 9 South. 722, 30 Am. St. Rep. 65; Walker v. State, 91 Ala. 76, 9 South. 87; DeArman v. State, 77 Ala. 10.

A ground for continuance contained in the motion is that the trial court may not call the instant case for trial as set by the clerk, in advance of other cases previously filed and set for trial, and that, if so called and tried, it would result, as to plaintiff, in a violation of his rights under circuit court rules 1 and 15. The trial docket was offered in evidence to support the motion. The bill of exceptions recites:

“It was admitted that there were many cases on the docket untried and uncalled and not disposed of which had been filed and docketed prior to said cause [the instant case], but the court overruled said objection and exception [to going to trial in advance of said other causes on the docket], and to said ruling the plaintiff then and there duly and legally excepted. The following testimony was introduced: H. A. Knowles, being duly sw'orn,” etc.

The record fails to show such a violation of circuit court rule 15 as to which plaintiff can complain, or that as to him reversible error was committed. Womack v. Bookman, 34 Ala. 38; Shorter v. Hightower. 48 Ala. 526; 38 Cyc. 1282, notes. Statutes prescribing the order of trial of causes on the docket have been said to be merely directory. The rule in question, as codified, has the force and effect of a statute, is directory, and vests a large discretion in the trial court in the disposition of the causes In such order as to economically and speedily dispose of pending causes without injustice to parties litigant and their counsel. Cherry v. Milam (Okl. Sup.) 168 Pac. 241.

We may observe of the phase of the motion that plaintiff had no sufficient time to prepare for his trial that the law of the case is well settled by this court. The minimum time allowed by statute, after service of process on a defendant, for preparation of the defense was presumptively sufficient. A. L. Clark Lbr. Co. v. Northcutt, 95 Ark. 291, 294, 129 S. W. 88. It was formerly 20 days. Code, § 5346. This statute was amended, giving 30 days after execution of process within which to appear and plead, answer, or demur. Gen. Acts 1915, p. 825 (1). For applications ' of the last statute see Robinson v. Newton Gro. Co., 200 Ala. 528, 76 South. 854; Street v. Browning, 205 Ala. 110, 87 South. 527; S. J. Petree & Co. v. Phillip Olim & Co., 206 Ala. 333, 89 South. 602; Carothers v. Callahan, 207 Ala. 611, 93 South. 569. If 30 days is presumably a sufficient time for a defendant to prepare his side of the case for trial, the same would apply with added force to a plaintiff, who is given by statute 12 months after injury and damage to prepare and file suit.. It must be, noted, however, that there is no iron-bound rule governing such matter, and that the court may exercise a sound discretion as to both parties, dependent on their peculiar or 'attending circumstances. Denson v. Stanley supra; Ex parte Scudder-Gale Gro. Co., 120 Ala. 434, 438, 25 South. 44. There was no obvious and palpable abuse of judicial discretion in holding that plaintiff should have been prepared to proceed with his trial on the day set for the trial, which was more than 45 days after suit was brought, and after being twice notified by counsel that trial would be insisted upon on April 19, 1922.

A ground of plaintiff’s motion for a continuance for the term (not for a postponement to a later date thereof) was the absence of two material witnesses, Drs. Kirklin and Lewis. Respective counsel admit that Dr. Lewis appeared and testified when called at the trial, and in behalf of and “in the cause of plaintiff.” Plaintiff suffered no injury by failure of the presence of Dr. Lewis, when the motion for a continuance was presented, argued, and ruled on by the court. There is immaterial discrepancy between counsel as to the exact time Dr. Lewis appeared at court; it is sufficient that he was present and testified when called as a witness by plaintiff. What of the showing for a continuance because of the absence of Dr. Kirk-' lin? On the hearing of the motion, plaintiff rested on the averments of fact set out therein, and on the exhibits thereto. Defendants, in answer thereto, - showed that shortly after the suit was filed th'e clerk set the case for trial (for April 19, 1922), notified the respective counsel, and that defendants’ attorneys informed plaintiff’s attorneys of record that defendants would be ready for and insist upon a trial on the date indicated, and that again, on March 31st, defendants’ attorneys, or some of them, wrote plaintiff’s attorneys confirming their conversation with one of the attorneys for plaintiff, stating that defendants “wish this case tried at this term of the court, and we will * * * be ready for trial” on the day set for the trial (April 19, 1922); that “no reply was received from said letter.” It is further recited in the bill of exceptions, on this point:

“That about a week before the-trial one of the plaintiff’s attorneys came to the office of one of the defendants’ attorneys to ascertain if there was any prospect of getting the case continued, and that defendants’ attorney told him that the defendants would not agree to a continuance, but, on the contrary, would insist upon the trial when the case was set. Evidence was further introduced that at least one of the defendants’ main witnesses, a surgeon practicing in the city of Montgomery, had made plans to attend lectures elsewhere, but had postponed the same in order to be present at this trial and testify, and his plans were so laid as that he expected to leave within a few days after the case was set for trial”; that the motion was overruled, the case passed to April 20th to “enable plaintiff to notify and procure his witnesses to be present. To the action of the court in overruling the motion * * * plaintiff then and there duly and legally excepted.”

Such are the recitals of the bill of exceptions. The next day (April 20, 1922) plaintiff moved the court to “grant a continuance” on grounds stated in first motion, and on grounds more specifically indicated as to the absent witnesses. The materiality of the testimony and causes for the absence of Dr. Kirklin are averred; that he resided more than 100 miles from the place of the trial; had promised and agreed with plaintiff, “if it was possible, he would attend the trial of such cause and testify for him;, * * * that on April 15th he (plaintiff) had clerk of this court issue subpcena” for said doctor; and that “on the morning of April 19 he received a telegram from” witness, saying it was “impossible * * * to borne because of illness.” It is further averred:

That on April 19, 1922, the witness Dr. Kirklin had made affidavit admitting the agreement between him and plaintiff to the effect that the former would be present at the trial to testify; that it was “impossible for affiant to * * * attend court in Montgomery as a witness * * * for the reason that affiant has illness in his own family which requires his presence and attention, and for the additional * * * reason that affiant has under his care a patient who is suffering from pneumonia, and who is now in the crisis of the disease, and who * * * demands the constant care and treatment of affiant;” and “another patient on whom he (affiant) performed a surgical operation last Sunday, and who requires his care and attention,” and patients whom affiant “feels that he cannot afford to neglect or slight in accordance with his duties as a physician; that, but for the reasons hereinabove set out, affiant would and could attend said Montgomery court as a witness in said cause”; that he “is not related to any of the parties in said cause, and has no interest in or connection with said litigation except as hereinabove indicated.”

The motion contained the further averment:

That, after counsel had received telegrams from the -witnesses (Drs. Kirklin and Lewis) “plaintiff made affidavit as to the residence of said physicians at a distance of more than 100 miles from the place of trial as required in section 4021 of Code 1907, and directed the clerk of this court to issue subpoenas accordingly.”

Of necessity, this was after the receipt of the telegrams from witnesses on April 19, 1922, and the/lay on which the case was set for trial. It was further stated in plaintiff’s motion:

That Drs. Kirklin and Lewis were the “only two medical witnesses who are conversant with the details and history of plaintiff’s condition from the time of the injuries complained of,” etc.; that they would “give material testimony for plaintiff in this cause. * * • ”

That is to say, the testimony of the one witness was in nature cumulative as to the testimony of the other. Plaintiff had not sought by depositions to procure the testimony of the witnesses, and the record does not show that the summons issued on April 15, 1922, was duly served upon that witness.

The fact that Dr. Kirklin wired plaintiff on the day the motion for continuance was to be or being heard of his inability to be present tended to indicate that he was conscious that his presence was desired, by reason of the executed process (which fact is not shown by the record), or by reason of his agreement with plaintiff to be present at the trial and testify in his behalf. Provisions of the statute were ample to have secured the deposition of Dr. Kirklin (Code 1907, § 4030), or to have enforced his personal presence as a resident of the state living more than 100 miles from the place of trial (Code 1907, § 4021). The motion contained only the averment that affiant moved for process under the latter statute on April 19, 1922. It was only after service of such special process that the witness was subject to the additional and extraordinary powers of the court. Thus it is without question clear that plaintiff. had relied upon his agreement with the witnesses to be present, rather than upon statutory provisions therefor. It remains to be decided whether there was a palpable and obvious abuse of judicial discretion by the trial court in fore ing plaintiff to. trial in the absence of Dr. Kirklin.

To guard against unnecessary or unwarrantable delay and bad faith in granting a continuance because of the absence of a witness 'or evidence, the courts have agreed: (1) That the expected evidence must be material and competent (Fowler v. State, 170 Ala. 66, 54 South. 115; Rodgers v. State, 144 Ala. 32, 40 South. 572; Walker v. State, 117 Ala. 85, 23 South. 670; 1 Wm. Blackstone Rep. pp. 510, 516; Stevenson v. Sherwood, 22 Ill. 238, 74 Am. Dec. 147; Blackburn v. State, 48 Tex. Cr. R. 286, 87 S. W. 692, 122 Am. St. Rep. 746-748; 9 Cyc. 106; 6 R. C. L. p. 557, § 15); (2) that there must be a probability that the testimony can be obtained at a future time to which it is prayed that the trial be continued or postponed (Ala. S. & W. Co. v. Wrenn, 136 Ala. 475, 34 South. 970; Gaines v. State, 146 Ala. 16, 41 South. 865; Stevens v. State, 138 Ala. 71, 35 South. 122; Walker v. State, supra; 1 Wm. Blackstone’s Rep. pp. 510-516; 74 Am. Dec. 146; 122 Am. St. Rep. 752; 6 R. C. L. 559, § 18); (3) due diligence must have beén exercised by the movent to secure the absent witnesses or evidence (Kroell v. State, 139 Ala. 1, 11, 36 South. 1025; 13 C. J. p. 155, § 71; 74 Am. Dec. 146; 122 Am. St. Rep. 745, 746, 754; 6 R. C. L. p. 560, § 19; Cook v. Moody, 18 Wash. 114, 50 Pac. 1020, 63 Am. St. Rep. 872 ; 67 Am. Dec. 630, 634, note; Rex. v. D’Eon, 1 Wm. Blackstone’s Rep. 510, 516; same case, 3 Burrows, 1513). From these three cardinal rules have come other rules or corollaries: (4) That the expected evidence must be credible and that it be probable that it will affect the result (122 Am. St. Rep. 754 ; 6 R. C. L. p. 559, § 17; 13 C. J. p. 153, §§ 66, 67); (5) that the evidence is not merely cumulative or impeaching (Walker v. State, 117 Ala. 85, 23 South. 670; Gaines v. State, 146 Ala. 16, 41 South. 865; Eatman v. State, 139 Ala. 67, 73, 36 South. 16; 9 Cyc. 108; 6 R. C. L. p. 558, §§ 14, 16; 13 C. J. p. 154, §§ 67, 68; 122 Am. St. Rep. 749, 751); and (6) that the motion for a- postponement or continuance is not made merely for the purpose of delay (6 R. C. L. p. 556, §§ 14-18; 122 Am. St. Rep. 746 ; 74 Am. Dec. 145).

It has been held under the requirement of due diligence that a party is not justified in relying on the promise or expressed willingness of a witness to attend the trial, unless the circumstances are exceptional. 13 C. J. 160, §§ 79-84; Campbell v. Blanke, 13 Kan. 62; Yori v. Cohn, 26 Nev. 206, 65 Pac. 945, 67 Pac. 212; Parrish v. Gardner, 3 Har. (Del.) 495; Hensley’s Adm’r v. Lytle, 5 Tex. 497, 55 Am. Dec. 741; Blount v. Beall, 95 Ga. 182, 22 S. E. 52; Peck v. Parchen, 52 Iowa, 46, 2 N. W. 597; State v. Cross, 12 Iowa, 66, 79 Am. Dec. 519; Bone v. Hillen, 1 Mill, Const. (S. C.) 197; Day v. Gelston, 22 Ill. 103; Jeter v. Heard, 12 La. Ann. 3; State v. Phillips, 18 S. D. 1, 98 N. W. 171, 5 Ann. Cas. 760; Mackubin v. Clarkson, 5 Minn. 247 (Gil. 193); 5 Ann. Cas. 760; 74 Am. Dec. 146; 9 Cyc. 109. There was no obvious and palpable abuse of judicial discretion in overruling the plaintiff’s motion for a continuance for the failure to show due diligence in taking his testimony, by deposition or procuring compulsory process for the absent witness, or to have insured his presence, and the testimony of the witness was/ as shown by the motion and evidence, cumulative to that of Dr. Lewis, who was present and testified.

There was no error in permitting defendants to ask the plaintiff, testifying in his own behalf: “You consented to that if it_was necessary, didn’t you, Mr. Knowles?” The inquiry was of fact, and within the issues presented. Moreover, if it had been error, it was harmless, since the negative answer of the witness was favorable to plaintiff. So of the motives or purposes that impelled plaintiff to go to New Orleans to procure evidence against the defendants; the witness answered “he went there for treatment,” and to get evidence against two of the defendants in another or initial treatment made the basis of the X-ray suit theretofore brought against them by plaintiff. Aside from this, the evidence was cpmpetent to show motive or bias against the defendants, or some of them. Rogers v. Smith, 184 Ala. 506, 63 South. 530; B. R., L. & P. Co. v. Baker, 161 Ala. 135-139, 49 South. 755, 135 Am. St. Rep. 118, 18 Ann. Cas. 477; Wallace v. N. A. T. Co., 145 Ala. 682, 40 South. 89. 1

The witness Knowles was properly asked on cross-examination if he made any reply to Dr. Dark’s statement to him as to the way the operation of “skin grafting” was to be performed — “cutting the skin off of the arm and putting it on the ankle.” It was within the pleadings and for the jury to infer whether .or not the plaintiff was sufficiently informed by the defendants, or any of them, of the nature of such an operation, and whether the defendants were authorized to perform the same upon him. The witness had testified that the' defendant indicated had informed him “before he went to the hospital that skin grafting would be the course of treatment if curettement didn’t cure it; that he (witness) had heard of skin grafting operations and knew what they were.” With such knowledge of the course of that treatment, he gave himself .to the doctor for surgical and medical attention, presumably for the reasonably necessary and proper treatment of his foot within the duties and obligations declared in this jurisdiction to result as a matter of law in the absence of express contract. The evidence was proper for the jury, and to aid in draw ing the reasonable inferences therefrom when consistent with all the other evidence.

The questions on cross-examination to Knowles were competent as tending to shed light upon his feelings, motive, or bias as to the extent of hjs settlement or matters embraced in plaintiff’s former claim or- suit against two of the present defendants growing out’of X-ray injuries in question. Moreover, the answer of the witness ivas that'he did not keep secret the fact of his injury, damage, and claim against said defendants made in the instant suit.

The plaintiff was asked if at different times he had said that Dr. Blue saved his foot, or leg, and that if it had not been for him witness’ “leg would have been ruined.” The witness answered: “I don’t know that I ever did. I discussed it with different people.” It called for evidence in the nature of an admission against interest as to one of the defendants, and was competent for the limited purpose of his defense; there was no motion, or objection, that the evidence sought was not limited by the court or counsel to the defense of that defendant. The objector did not move for such instruction by the court.

The cross-examination of the witness Lewis, “Who asked you to come” to court"' and his answer, “Mr. Knowles,” were proper in the effort to show bias or interest, however slight such tendency may be. Johnson v. State, 199 Ala. 255, 74 South. 366; Banks v. State (Ala. Sup.) 39 South. 921; 40 Cyc. 2489.

No appropriate assignment of error challenges the correctness of the trial court’s ruling on plaintiff’s objection to the method pursued in cross-examination of Mrs. Wesley. And as to this there is nothing presented for review. Moreover, it was competent on cross-examination to ask a witness to whom she had talked as to the facts of which witness had testified on direct examination. That is to say, within reasonable limitations a witness may be asked what is termed a class of irrelevant questions with a view of obtaining inconsistent and contradictory answers for the purpose of discrediting or impeaching testimony of such witness. Jones v. McNeil, 2 Bailey (S. C.) 466, 473. In Banks v. State (Ala. Sup. 1905) 39 South. 921, Mr. Justice Haralson says of the question under consideration: •

“It is always permissible for the opposite party to ask a witness examined against him to whom he has talked about the case. * * * ”

The decision in the Banks Case appears only as a memorandum in 155 Ala. 674, 45 South. 217.

Several assignments of error .challenge the charges requested by the defendants in writing and given by the court, which are designated by us as A, B, C, and D.

In charge A the issue made by the pleading was for damages resulting from a negligent operation or a joint trespass committed on the plaintiff by defendants on March 14, 1921. Of necessity plaintiff is limited to the matter set forth in his complaint or the several counts thereof. The effect of the charge was to instruct the jury that, even though the evidence might show that the plaintiff had suffered in an X-ray treatment by two of the defendants in August, 1920, or at a time preceding that declared upon in the complaint, or the several counts thereof, the jury could not assess damages against defendants growing out of treatment by some of the defendants not embraced in the joint trespass which is charged to have been committed on the 14th day of March, 1921. Parties have the right to make the issues on which the trial is to be had, and, although the evidence may disclose a fact or facts that may have been actionable as to some of the defendants, if not within the joint issue made by the pleading, such party may not have the benefit thereof in final judgment. Pake v. Lindsey Mill Co., Inc. (Ala. Sup.) 94 South. 573. 2 There was no error in giving defendants’ written charge A.

Charge B was approved as charge No. 1 in Barfield v. South Highlands Infirm., 191 Ala. 553, 558, 571, 68 South. 30, Ann. Cas. 1916C, 1097; and given charge C is a correct excerpt from the opinion of the court in Barfield v. South Highlands Infirm., 191 Ala. 553, 568, 68 South. 30, Ann. Cas. 1916C, 1097. See, also, State v. Housekeeper, 70 Md. 162, 16 Atl. 382, 2 L. It. A. 587, 14 Am. St. Rep. 340; Gladwell v. Steggall, 5 Bingham (N. C.) 733. Given charge D is a copy of charge No. 2, approved in Barfield v. South Highlands Infirm., supra.

The colloquy between the court and respective counsel was insufficient to specifically present for review an exception sought to be taken to portions of the oral charge, as required by the rules obtaining in such matter. An exception only designating the subject treated by the court in an oral charge, or merely designating the beginning of part of the oral charge excepted to, is insufficient. Ex parte Cowart, 201 Ala. 55, 77 South. 349; B. R., L. & P. Co. v. Friedman, 187 Ala. 562, 570, 65 South. 939; Doullut & Williams v. Hoffman, 204 Ala. 33, 86 South. 73; Beech v. State, 205 Ala. 342, 87 South. 573; Whittle v. State, 205 Ala. 639, 89 South. 43; Marbury Lumber Co. v. Lamont, 169 Ala. 33, 53 South. 773; Western Union Tel. Co. v. Burns, 164 Ala. 252, 51 South. 373. However, a reference to the full statement of the court to the jury shows no error was committed in giving the definition of negligence having application to such a case. Carpenter v. Walker, 170 Ala. 659, 663, 54 South. 60, Ann. Cas. 1912D, 863.

After a careful consideration of the whole record, we are of the opinion that no reversible error intervened at the trial, and the judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.

Affirmed.

ANDERSON, O. X, and McOLELLAN and SOMERVILLE, JX, concur.

1 Reported in full in the Southern Reporter; reported as a memorandum decision without opinion in the Alabama Reports.

2 208 Ala. 569.