Snipes v. Davis, Director General

127 S.E. 447, 131 S.C. 298, 1925 S.C. LEXIS 140

• Court: Supreme Court of South Carolina
• Decided: March 27, 1925
• Docket: 11729
• Status: Published

Opinion

The opinion of the Court was delivered by

Mr. Acting Associate Justice W. C. Cothran.

This suit was brought in the Court of Common Pleas for Dillon County to recover damages for the death of plaintiff’s intestate and resulted in a verdict for the plaintiff. A motion for a new trial was made and the trial Judge granted the motion upon the sole ground that he had committed an error in charging the jury as to what constituted a traveled place, purely a question of law. From this order the plaintiff appealed, alleging error in granting the new trial and contending that the law was properly charged. Let the complaint and the Judge’s charge be reported.

The respondent takes the position at the outset of this appeal that the order of the trial Judge is not appealable for the reason that the legal question involved is not determinative of the rights of the parties. This he alleges is the test of the appealability of such orders under section 26 of the Code of 1922. That section is as follows :

“The Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction for Correction of errors of law in law cases * * ‡ when such order grants or refuses a new trial. * * * Upon any appeal from an order granting a new trial on a case made, or on exceptions taken, * * * if the Supreme Court shall determine that no error was committed in granting the new trial, it shall render judgment absolute upon the right of the appellant.”

This question will be first considered, and then will be taken up the remaining questions as to whether or not there was error in the charge of the trial Judge upon which he based his order for a new trial. Considerable confusion has arisen in the Courts as to the real meaning and the applicability of this section of the Code, and reference will be made to some of the decided cases.

The present section of the Code was adopted in 1896 but before that there was a somewhat similar section which con tained a provision that the appellant should hie with his appeal a consent that, in case the appeal went against him, the Court should render judgment absolute in favor of the respondent. This provision was later stricken out by the General Assembly.

In Byrd v. Small, 2 S. C., 388, the Court says:

“If, therefore, it does not appear that the order of the Circuit Judge granting the new trial was founded on an erroneous view of the law, we are without authority to interfere with it.”

This case also holds that the power of the Circuit Court to grant or refuse new trial “is subject to the correction of this Court when his order granting or refusing a new trial involves a question of law.”

In Massey v. Adams, 3 S. C., 263, the Court says:

“The only question proper for our, consideration, is whether there was error of law in the order granting the new trial. If it was founded, either wholly or in part, on a conclusion from the fact contrary to that of the jury, then, according to the well-established principles governing the Court in regard to appeals, in which propositions of law do, not arise, we cannot interfere.”

In this case the defendant was the appellant and he agreed, according to the provision of the Code, that in case of affirmance by the Supreme Court judgment absolute should be rendered for the plaintiff, respondent. The Court held that no error of law was committed by the trial Judge as the new trial was granted upon the facts. The order for new trial was affirmed and judgment absolute was rendered according to the stipulation of the appellant in his notice of appeal.

In Caston v. Brock, 14 S. C., 104, the Court dismissed the appeal because the consent that judgment absolute should be rendered against him, in case he was unsuccessful, was not filed by the appellant. This consent was at that time a prerequisite to maintaining an appeal. In this case the Court discusses the reason for the consent to judgment absolute and says:

“The clear object of demanding the assent of the appellant to a judgment absolute is to discourage appeals from orders granting new trials, except,” etc.

Further the Court says:

“The decision of the appellate Court may possibly settle nothing of importance to the case, as, on a second trial, the subject and ground of exception may be entirely eliminated from the case. When, however, the whole question is one of law, capable of being finally disposed of by the appellate Court, no such inconvenience arises.”

The case of Calhoun v. Railway, 42 S. C., 132, 20 S. E., 30, was decided in 1894. A verdict for the plaintiff was set aside for error of law and the plaintiff appealed. In his notice of appeal the plaintiff inserted the required consent as to judgment absolute in case he was unsuccessful. Being unsuccessful and no error being found, judgment absolute was rendered against the plaintiff.

The next case to-be considered is Marshall v. Railway, 57 S. C., 138; 35 S. E., 497, which was decided after the amendment to the Code which eliminated the provision as to consent by the appellant for judgment absolute.

The Court says:

“The well-settled rule is that this Court cannot review an order refusing or granting a new trial, except for error of law.”

In Epperson v. Stansill, 64 S. C., 485; 42 S. E., 426, the verdict was for the defendant and the plaintiff moved for a new trial which was granted for error of law. The defendant appealed. The Court held:

“The effect of the order was to grant a new trial, because in the opinion of the trial Judge the jury had been misdirected by him. It is error of law to grant a new trial for misdirection of the jury if, in fact, the instruction is correct ?’

The judgment was reversed as this Court found no error in the charge but there was no direction that judgment be entered for the defendant.

In Jones v. Woodside Cotton Mills, 83 S. C., 565; 65 S. E., 819, the Court says:

“As this is not a case in which judgment absolute could be rendered by this Court, an appeal from an order granting a new trial will not be entertained.”

The report of the case fails to show any of the facts or upon what grounds of law or fact, the motion was decided. In Lampley v. Railroad, 77 S. C., 319; 57 S. E., 1104, the question is discussed at some length. In that case the defendant had a verdict which was set aside on motion of the plaintiff, and the defendant appealed. The record did not show upon what grounds the motion was granted. The Court says:

“Only those orders granting new trials are appealable in cases in which, if the Court determine that there was no error of law committed, it may then go further and render judgment absolute upon the right of the plaintiff.”

The appeal was dismissed on the ground that the Court could not render judgment absolute, because intricate facts were involved. The above quotation can hardly be the law. There is no provision in the Code that the plaintiff is the sole beneficiary of the right to judgment absolute. In Simmons v. Mason, 88 S. C., 350; 70 S. E., 898, the Court held:

“The Court has held, however, in a number of cases that an order of the Circuit Court granting a new trial is not appealable.”

To sustain this conclusion the following cases are cited: Lampley v. Railroad, 77 S. C., 319; 57 S. E., 1104. Jones v. Woodside, 83 S. C., 565; 65 S. E., 819. Pace v. Railroad, 83 S. C., 33; 64 S. E., 915. DesChamps v. Railroad, 83 S. C., 192; 65 S. E., 176. Barker v. Thomas, 85 S. C., 83; 67 S. E., 1. Also:

“The rule has been applied even where the new trial was granted on the construction of a written instrument— a purely legal question” — citing Dixon v. Railroad, 83 S. C., 392; 65 S. E., 351.

These cases are cited solely for the purpose of showing to what extent the confusion in the decisions has reached. The same cases are cited in McKnight v. Dyson, 91 S. C., 337; 74 S. E., 753, where it is held that the granting of a new trial by the Circuit Court on appeal from magistrate Court is not a casé in which this Court can render judgment absolute, and hence is not appealable. In Daughty v. Railroad, 92 S. C., 361; 75 S. E., 553, the Court considered this question fully, citing many of the cases previously decided. Dixon v. Railroad, supra, holds that an appeal from an order granting a new trial on a question of law would be dismissed as unappealable was expressly overruled. As the Dixon Case was based upon the decisions in Lampley v. Railroad, supra, and Pace v. Railroad, 83 S. C., 33; 64 S. E., 915, it must be considered that a similar holding in these cases was likewise overruled. After discussing the power of the Supreme Court where no error was committed in granting the motion for a new trial, the opinion proceeds:

“But what of the case where error is committed? Can it be supposed that the Legislature was guilty of the absurdity of allowing an appeal from an order where no error is committed and denying it where error is committed?”

This case was cited in Eaker v. Floyd, 97 S. C., 381; 81 S. E., 656, where the order granting the new trial was not influenced by error of law; in Wray v. Railroad, 98 S. C., 278; 82 S. E., 412, where the order for a new trial was based solely on a question of fact; in Nunnamaker v: Smith's, 98 S. C., 466; 82 S. E., 675, where the order was held not appealable because the Court would not render judgment absolute; in Town of Denmark v. Corley, 100 S. C., 432; 84 S. E., 885, where a question of fact was present as well as a question of law, thereby rendering the Supreme Court powerless to entertain the appeal; in Parham v. Insurance Co., 106 S. C., 211; 90 S. E., 1022, where the appeal was dismissed because based upon matters of fact. In Glover v. Heyward, 108 S. C., 487; 94 S. E., 878, the Court, by Justice Watts, says :

“Ordinarily an appeal from an order granting a new trial is not allowed unless this Court can give judgment absolute. However, in this case the new trial was based and the order granted upon what his Honor conceived to be an error of law on his part in his charge to the jury, and from such an order an appeal will lie. Had he granted a new trial because he did not approve of the verdict found by the jur)? or in any manner exercised his discretion in granting a new trial, his order would not be appealable. But, as he granted it on what he conceived to be an error of law on his part in his charge to the jury, the question to be determined is: Did he or did he not commit an error in his charge?”

The Court held that because of error on the part of the Judge in granting a new trial for supposed error of law, the plaintiff, appellant, was entitled to his verdict as found by the jury. This rule was approved and followed in Gantt v. Railroad, 120 S. C., 235; 113 S. E., 79.

The latest case to be decided by this Court is Ingram v. Hines, 120 S. E., 493. The opinion of the Court undoubtedly fixed the law of that particular case but for the reason that two of the justices concurred in the result and two dissented, it cannot be considered as binding upon subsequent litigation.' The appeal was dismissed because it was held that judgment absolute could not be rendered by the Supreme Court even though it could be considered an appeal from a point of law. Concurrence in the result was upon the ground that the order appealed from was on the facts and, hence, not appealable. Dissents were on the ground that the order was based on law and not on fact and; therefore, was appealable.

While one portion of the opinion in the Ingram v. Hines Case does not meet with our approval another portion is approved as being the true construction of the law. The disapproved portion is as follows:

“But, assuming that the order was granted upon the ground that there was no evidence at all tending to fix liability^ upon the carrier, and that such ruling presented an issue of law, it by no means follows that the order was appealable.” Italics supplied.

We take the true rule to be that every order relative to a new trial based upon matter of law is appealable, as is hereinafter more fully explained. The approved portion of the opinion is as follows:

“If the order granting a new trial is based upon a matter of law, the decision of which is conclusive, not simply upon the appeal but upon the merits of the controversy, leaving-no issue of fact upon which the rights of the parties depend, the drastic provisions of the section apply.”.

The “drastic provisions” spoken of are the right of the Court to render judgment absolute. From the decisions above cited it is quite apparent that every order granting or refusing a new trial for error of law is appealable. Some of the decisions seem to hold otherwise but, when it is considered that the Constitution, the Code and the latest reasoned decisions vest in the Supreme Court the power to review questions of law, the cases holding the contrary are not to be considered as binding authority. The right to appeal from such an order is not dependent upon the power of this Court to render judgment absolute. The two must not be confused for the power in this Court to review questions of law is a constitutional grant and the power to render judgment absolute is given by the Code. They are not at all inconsistent powers but proceed from different sources and along different lines. The power of this Court given by the Code to render judgment absolute is only when no error is found and is subject to the rule approved in Ingram v. Hines, supra. This power could hardly be considered as depriving the Court of jurisdiction to hear an appeal based upon error of law when error is found. Daughty v. Railroad, supra.

To repeat, in every case where the order granting or refusing to grant a new trial upon error of law an appeal to this Court will lie, but, upon hearing the appeal, this Court can render judgment absolute only in those cases where there is no error in the order granting or refusing the new trial, and the question of law involved is conclusive of the case, both as to law and merits. As this question is somewhat beclouded, it may be well to illustrate our meaning. Suppose a suit is brought upon a promissory note and the trial Judge allows a bit of seeming hearsajr evidence, or other doubtful question of law, to be introduced in the record and a verdict is rendered for the plaintiff. Upon motion by the defendant a new trial is ordered for this supposed error of law and the plaintiff appeals. As a question of law is involved, he has the right to appeal. No error of law in his order granting the new trial is found by the Supreme Court, and the law involved is in no manner determinative of the merits of the case. The judgment is, therefore affirmed, and thq- case is remanded for a new trial.

Again, take a suit upon a note which the defendant claims is barred by the statute of limitations. The Judge disregards this defense and sends the case to the jury where a verdict is rendered for the plaintiff. Upon motion for a new trial the verdict is set aside, and the plaintiff appeals. No error is found by the Supreme Court in the order granting the new trial. The Court, however, does find that under the law the note is out of date and that no recovery can be had on it. This finding settles all questions between the parties, and the Supreme Court renders judgment absolute upon the right of the appellant. The words “the right of the appellant” are somewhat confusing. They mean the' right of the appellant to maintain his suit or defense. This provision of the Code would have been more apparent and more easily understood if it had said “against” the right of the appellant, as this is clearly the meaning. It is a judgment of the Court upon his right and not in favor of his right.

In the illustrative cases used above the same rules would apply if the motions for 'new trials were refused instead of granted. We, therefore, conclude that the order granting the new trial, based as it was solely upon a question of law is appealable.

This brings us to the sole remaining question to be decided : Was there error of law in the order granting the new trial? The charge of the trial Judge relative to the law of a traveled place has been set forth in the first part of this opinion. His order contained the following:

“Upon due consideration of the case, I am satisfied that error was committed in charging the jury as to what constituted a traveled place and upon that ground the motion should be granted.?

In so far as the first portion of the charge relating to a traveled place is concerned it appears to have been taken verbatim from Hankinson v. Railroad, 41 S. C., 1; 19 S. E., 206, and is entirely free from error. The public must not only be accustomed to travel at the given point but the right to travel must in some way have been acquired. The next portion of the charge to the effect that if the defendant recognized the right of the public to use that portion of the track where the deceased was killed, then that portion of the track could be considered a traveled place, is likewise free from error. It presupposes the necessary fact that the right has been acquired in some way. It may be stated, however, that if the right had been acquired by the public, the recognition of that right by the defendant would be immaterial.

The next portion of the charge was to the effect that if the public had used the point in question as a crossing through invitation of the defendant then it became a traveled place as contemplated by the statute. This presents a much more serious and difficult question for solution. From reading the complaint, it appears that the cause of action was based solely upon the common law. No reference was made therein to a traveled place or to the statutory signals. ■The delict complained of was the failure to sound the bell or whistle, or give other warning signal of the train’s approach to the depot. In stating the issues in his charge to the jury, the Court said:

“I believe that the allegation is that it was.at a traveled place, not at a street crossing or on a public highway, and that the law required a railroad company on approaching a station to give certain signals which are required by the statute to be given on approaching a railroad crossing or traveled place.”

Upon being asked by the trial Judge if his statement of the issues was correct, both attorneys] for plaintiff and defendant, answered in the affirmative. Thereupon, the trial Judge charged the jury fully as to the requirements for giving the statutory signals and read to the jury the sections of the Code applicable thereto. While the construction of the complaint by the trial Judge was clearly erroneous, it was the duty of the complaining side to call to 'his attention the error on stating the issues. Not only was this not done, but the counsel actually agreed that his statements were correct. No error could, therefore, be predicated upon this issue. Conceding, therefore, that the trial Judge had the right to submit to the jury the law of traveled place, in this particular case, the question arises as to the correctness of his instructions.

A locality does not become a traveled place within the meaning of the statute requiring signals to' be given simply because a railroad company invites the public to come upon its premises. The public must acquire a right to be there at any or all times. Presence on the right of way of a railroad company may be based upon either an absolute right or upon invitation. If the former, the right cannot be denied. If the latter, the invitation may be withdrawn at any time and the person present under the invitation as a licensee then becomes a trespasser.

From the testimony it appears that the accident occurred in the railroad yard, a short distance from the depot, and as the train was approaching the station. The cases of Hale v. Railroad, 34 S. C., 299; 13 S. E., 537, and Barber v. Railroad, 34 S. C., 450; 13 S. E., 630, are peculiarly in point. As controlling authority, reference may also be had to the cases of Strother v. Railroad, 47 S. C., 375; 25 S. E., 272. Risinger v. Railroad, 59 S. C., 429; 38 S. E., 1. Kirby v. Railroad, 63 S. C., 494; 41 S. E., 765. Sanders v. Railroad, 97 S. C., 423; 81 S. E., 786; and Chisolm v. Railroad, 121 S. C., 394; 114 S. E., 500.

Having determined that the invitation to be present on the right of way of a railroad company does not confer such legal right to be there as would constitute the right of way a traveled place under the statute, it only remains to ascertain whether the charge of the trial Judge was prejudicial to the defendant. If the deceased had been only a licensee then his negligence or contributory negligence, as the proximate cause of his death, would have defeated a, recovery. But if he had been on the right of way as a matter of right, because the right of way was a traveled place then, in the words of the statute a recovery cannot be defeated “unless it is shown that in addition to a mere want of ordinary care the person injured was, at the time of the collision, guilty of gross or willful negligence or was acting in violation of the law.” Construing the locality of the accident as a traveled place, created by invitation of the defendant, the “mere want of ordinary care,” or negligence, on the part of the deceased would have been no defense. However, if his action had been treated as one at common law, as it undoubtedly was, then the mere want of ordinary care on the part of the deceased would have been a valid defense, if it had been a proximate cause of his death. A greater burden of defense was, therefore, placed upon the defendant than the law imposed.

The charge of the trial Judge being erroneous, his order granting a new trial is affirmed. Accordingly, as the question of law involved is not determinative of the rights of the parties, this Court has not the power to render judgment absolute. The cause is, therefore, remanded to the Circuit Court for a new trial.

Affirmed.

Messrs. Justices Fraser and Marion concur. Mr. Justice Watts dissents. Mr. Chief Justice Gary and'Mr. Justice T. P. Cothran did not participate.