Steele v. Townsend

37 Ala. 247

• Court: Supreme Court of Alabama
• Decided: January 15, 1861
• Status: Published

Opinion

R. W. WALKER, J.

1. Whatever doubts may at one time have been entertained on the subject, it is now well settled, that, although a common carrier cannot limit the liability which the common law devolves on him by any .general notice, he may do so by special contract with tbe shipper. — Dorr v. N. J. Steam Nav. Co., 1 Kernan, 490-91 ; S. C., 4 Sandf. Sup. Ct. R. 141-2; N. J. Steam Nav. Co. v. Merchants’ Bank, 6 Howard, 382 ; Ang. Carriers, §§ 220, 221, 225, 233; 1 Parsons on Contr. 203-4. And it seems; to be considered, that a bill of lading, given by the carrier; on receipt of the goods, and accepted by the shipper, is. a ..special contract between the parties, within the-meaning of this rule. — Dorr v. N. J. Steam Nav. Co., 1 Kernan, 486, 491; Edwards on Bailments, 468; Swindler v. Hilliard, 2 Richardson, 303; Story on. Bailments). 550, Yet such contract, limiting his common-law responsibility, cannot be pleaded by the carrier as an exemption for any loss or damage resulting from bis own negligence. — N. J. Steam Nav. Co. v. Merchants’ Bank, 6 Howard, 144; Dorr v. Steam Nav. Co., 4 Sandf. 136; Swindler v. Hilliard, 2 Rich. L. 286; Baker v. Brinson, 9 Rich. L. 201 ; Davidson v. Graham, 2 Ohio St. R. 131; Graham v. Davis, 4 Ohio St. R. 362; Merriman v. Brig Mary Queen, 1 Newb. Adm. R. 464; 1 Parsons’ Mar. L. 179, note.

2. As. .the exception contained in tbe contract did not -have tbe effect of relieving the plaintiff from liability for „ any “ breakage” which was the result of his negligence, it follows, that evidence tending to show that the breakage complained of was not the result of the plaintiff’s negligence, was admissible in bis behalf; and we hold, that, for this purpose, it was competent for the plaintiff to show, that articles similar to those specified in tbe bill of lading, coming to.Mobile upon vessels by sea, were usually in. .a damaged and broken condition on their arrival. If such, articles, when shipped by sea, usually arrived uninjured, this would be a circumstance tending' to show that the “ breakage,” when any did occur, was the result of negligence on the part of the carrier. The contrary proof would have a contrary tendency. — See Ingram v. Lawson, 37 Eng. Com. Law. R. 350-1; Donnell v. Jones, 17 Ala. 690, 695.

The decision of this court in O'Grady v. Julian, (.34 Ala. 88,) is relied on by the counsel for appellant, as in conflict with the opinion here expressed. It is possible that, in the case just cited, the court may have placed an improper construction upon the language of the bill of exceptions. But the evidence which was there held to be inadmissible,, was understood by the court as relating to The usual profits' made by particular establishments in the neighborhood, and not as referring to the average per-centage of profit realized by similar establishments in the neighborhood. The decision was intended to apply, and musk be confined, to cases, in which it is proposed to prove the profits of particular establishments — that is, to take individual instances, and prove the usual profits of each, — the effect of permitting, which would be, to nullify the issues-indefinitely.

3. The- difficult point in the case arises upon the charge-which was asked by the defendants, and which the eourt refused to give.

In reference to special agreements, limiting the carrier’s responsibility, Nelson, J., in delivering- the opinion in New Jersey Steam Nav. Co. v. Merchants' Bank, (6 Howard, U. S. 384,) uses this language: ‘.‘The owner of goods, by entering into, the contract, virtually agrees that, in respect to the particular transaction, the carrier is not regarded as in< the exercise of his public employment, but as a private person, who incurs no responsibility beyond that of a bailee for hire, and answerable only for misconduct or negligence.” — See, also, 4 Sandf. Sup. C. R. 145; 1 Kernan, 493; And it has been held on several occasions-, that, although a; special contract,, qualifying a carrier’s responsibility, does, not exempt him. from liability for loss resulting from his--negligence; yet that, in such case, the burden of proving negligence is on the shipper. — Authorities supra; Clark v. Barnwell, 12 Howard, U. S. 280 ; Hunt v. The Cleaveland, 6 McLean, 26 ; S. C., 1 Newb. 222-3; Brig Mary Queen, 1 Newb. 464 ; see 1 Parsons’ Mar. Law, 150-1; Ang. Carr. §§ 61, 276.

On the other hand, and in cases in which the question received the most thorough consideration, it has been decided, that where there is a special contract, limiting the carrier’s responsibility, the onus oí showing, not only that the cause of the loss was within the terms of the exception, but also that there was no negligence, is on the carrier.— Swindler v. Hilliard, 2 Rich. L. R. 286 ; Baker v. Brinson, 9 Rich. L. 201; Davidson v. Graham, 2 Ohio St. R. 131; Graham v. Davis, 4 Ohio St. R. 362; Camden & Amboy R. R. Co. v. Baldauf, 16 Penns. St. R. 67; 2 Greenl. Ev. § 219.

Without adopting this rule in the terms in which it is here stated, we think it is so far true in the present case, that an injury by “'breakage” to the articles shipped is not brought within the terms of the exception, unless it is also shown that the “ breakage” was not-the result of the negligence of the carrier. In other words, the exception includes only such breakage as care.and diligence could not prevent; and the injury is not within the exception, until it is shown that it occurred notwithstanding the exercise of such care and diligence. It is not strictly accurate to say, that the onus is on the carrier to show, not only that the cause of loss was within the exception, but also that he exercised due care. The correct view is, that the loss is not brought within the exception, unless it appears to have occurred without negligence on the part of the carrier; and, as it is ior the carrier to bring himself within the exception, he must make at least a prima-facie showing that the injury was not caused by his neglect.

It is a mistake to suppose that, by the insertion of such an exception as is found in this bill of lading, the 'character of the employment is changed. The party receiving the goods still remains, notwithstanding this feature of the contract, a common carrier: his liability only, to the extent of the exception, is diminished. “In all things else, the very same principles apply. Care and diligence are still elements of the contract, and ‘ strict proof’ is properly required, before any exemption may be claimed.” — 9 Rich. 203.

In most cases of bailment, the bailee is chargeable, not by the delivery of the goods, but by reason of negligence. Hence, in the case of ordinary bailments, the general rule is, that to hold the bailee responsible, negligence must be alleged and proved; though some courts have considered that the bailee should be held to proof of the facts and-circumstances under which the loss occurred. — Clarke v. Spence, 10 Watts’ R. 335; Logan v. Mathews, 6 Barr, 417 ; Swindler v. Hilliard, 2 Rich L. 305-6. But in relation to common carriers, the rule is, that, in all cases of loss, the onus probandi is on the carrier to exempt himself from liability; for, ¿orima facie, the- law -imposes the obligation of safety upon him. Consequently, the owner is bound to prove no more than that the goods were delivered to the carrier, and that the latter had not delivered them to the consignee. These facts constitute prima-facie evidence of negligence or misconduct. — Angell Carr. 202; Story Bailm. § 529.

By the common law, the carrier is responsible for all losses, except such as result from the act of Grod, or the public enemy. Hence', 'his liability is not confined to such losses as are the consequences of his own negligence, or want of skill. - He is liable for losses by- accident, mistake, and numerous unavoidable occurrences, not falling under the head of acts of Grod og the public enemy, and against which it is not within the reach of human vigilance or foresight to provide. For losses occasioned by the wrongful acts of third persons, by accidental fires, by robbery, or by the violence of mobs, which neither 'the carrier ñor his agents-can resist, or by any vigilance avoid; lie is responsible. — 1 Smith’s L. C. 315 ; 2 Ohio St. R. 137. The liabilities of a. common carrier are thus distinguished into two classes i the one, a liability for losses by neglect, which is tbe liability of a bailee; the other, a liability for losses by accident, or other unavoidable occurrence, which is the liability of an insurer. In Riley v. Horne, (5 Bing. R. 217,) Best, C. J., uses this language í “ When goods are delivered to a carrier, they are usually no longer under the eye of the owner; he seldom follows, or sends any servant with them, to the place of their destination. If they should be lost or injured'by the grossest negligence of the carrier or his servants, o^stolen by them, or by thieves in collusion with them, the owner would be unable to prove either of these causes of loss. His witnesses must be the carrier’s servants; and they, knowing that they could not be contradicted, would excuse their masters and themselves. To give due security to property, tbe law has therefore added to that responsibility of a carrier which immediately arises out of his contract to carry for a reward — namely, that of taking- all reasonable care of it — the- responsibility of an insurer, From his liability as an insurer, the carrier is only to be relieved by two things, both so well known to all the country when they happen,- that no person would be so rash as to attempt to prove that they had happened when they had not?-'namely, the act of God, and of the king’s enemies.”

On grounds of public policy, tbe courts have manifested a disposition to construe any new exceptions to the liability of a common carrier, strictly 'against him. — Atwood v. Transportation Company, 9 Watts, 87. Without the exception, the carrier would be liable as an insurer,"for a loss from the specified cause; and the only legitimate effect of the exception is, to relieve the carrier from this extraordinary responsibility for a loss which could not have been prevented by proper care and diligence on his part, When, therefore, a carrier, as in this case, provides against accountability for “rust or breakage,” tbe proper construction of the exception is, that the carrier is not to be held liable as an insurer -for “ rust or breakage” which occurs without negligence on his part; bat that he remains, as before, responsible for any injury of the kind mentioned, if caused by his failure to exercise the degree of care which the law demands of every common carrier, in respect of the goods committed to him. The making of such exception does not change the character of the employment, or the rules of evidence before applicable to the subject. Hence, a prima-facie case of negligence is made out against the carrier, by showing that the goods were delivered to him, and that he has either not delivered them at all, or has delivered them in an-injured condition.

Where a carrier seeks to bring a loss within the common-law exception of “aD act of God,” he cannot throw upon the employer the burden of proving or inferring negligence or defective means in the carrier, until he has shown the intervention of such an extraordinary, violent and destructive agent, as by its very nature raises a presumption that no human means could resist its effect. — 1 Smith’s L. C. (5th Am. ed.) 318 ; Coosa R. Co. v. Barclay, 30 Ala. 128-9; Steele v. McTyer, 31 Ala. 6.76. “The true view is, not that the carrier discharges his liability by showing an act of God, and is then responsible, as an ordinary agent, for negligence ; but that the intervention of negligence breaks the carrier’s line of defense, by showing that the injury or loss was not directly caused by the act of God, or, more 'Correctly speaking, was not the act of God.” — 1 Smith’s L. C. 319.

In like manner, the exception of “perils of the sea,” and “dangers of the river,” means such as cannot be avoided by the exercise of that discretion and care, which the law -requires of common carriers; and to ascertain whether a loss falls within the exception, it must be inquired, whether the accident could have been prevented by the exercise of proper foresight .and diligence. — 1 Smith’s L. C. 316 ; Williams v. Branson, 1 Murphy, 417; Marsh & Houren v. Blithe, 1 N. & McC. 170 ; Jones v. Pitcher, 3 St. & P. 136, 171. Thus, where goods were received on board a steamboat, and the -bill of lading contained an exception of “dangers of the river and the loss was occasioned by the boat’s striking on a sunken rock; it was held incumbent on the carrier to prove that due diligence and proper skill were used to avoid the accident. — Whiteside v. Russell, 8 W. & S. 44.

The same principle must apply to,the present exception. The proof of injury makes a jmma-facie case of negligence against the carrier $ and he does not bring the injury within the exception, until he shows the exercise of due vigilance on his part to prevent the injury 5 unless, indeed, the nature of the injury, or of the property, be such as to furnish, of itself, evidence that due care and diligence could not have prevented the injury.

There is no hardship in such a rule, and many strong reasons unite to commend it to our approval. It is of the utmost importance to the commerce of the country, that carriers should be held to a strict accountability. On this subject, we concur in the remark of Chief-Justice Gfibson, that, “though it is, perhaps, too late to say, that a carrier may not accept his charge in special terms, it is not too late to say, that the policy which dictated the rule of the common law requires that exceptions to it bé strictly interpreted, aud that; it is his duty to bring his case strictly within them.” — 9 Watts, 87. This is especially so in reference to exceptions inserted in bills of lading. Gfooijls are commonly sent by the owner to the carrier’s place of business, where they are received, and the bill of lading made out .by the carrier, or his clerk. It is often not seen by the owner, until it is too late to insist on a change in the terms. These considerations have induced one eminent judge to say, that the better rule, perhaps, would be to treat all such provisions in bills of lading as void, unless inserted by the express consent of the employer. — Black, C. J., in Chouteaux v. Leach, 18 Penn. 233.

One result of the introduction of steamboats and railroads is, that common carriers have, to a great extent, taken exclusive possession of the public thoroughfares of the country, and have it ¿n their power to impose their own terms upon the owners oí goods, who, indeed, have no choice but to employ them. The owner accepts the conditional bill of lading, because he cannot well help it. He must have his goods carried, and be sees that the carrier will refuse to take them, unless the prescribed terms are accepted. The owner seldom accompanies his property, and, in case of Toss or injury, however gross the negligence may be, is unable to prove it, without relying upon the servants of the carrier, — the very persons, generally, by whose negligence (if there was negligence) the goods have been lost; whose feelings, wishes, and interests, are all against the owner, and who are, as a general rule, only too ready to exculpate themselves and their employer. Of the manner of the loss, the owner is, generally, entirely ignorant, while the carrier and his servants may be reasonably supposed to be fully advised in regard to it; and “that is a sound rule, which devolves the onus on him who best knows what the facts are.”

The result of what has been said is, that if the goods were in good order when received- by the plaintiff in Philadelphia, and in bad order from “breakage” when delivered - in Mobile, it devolved upon the carrier to show that proper diligence and skill were exercised -to prevent the injury ; unless, as before remarked, it appears that the nature of the injury, or of the property, is such as to show, of itself, that due care and diligence could not have prevented the injury. The charge asked should have been given.

Judgment reversed, and cause remanded.