Bartlett v. Collins

Lead Opinion

WiNslow, J.

This is an action by brokers to recover of their principal their commissions and moneys advanced b3? them in selling grain for the principal. Both brokers and .principal reside in this state, and the verbal order or commission given by the principal was given in this state, and any liability resulting from the contract on the part of the principal was eviden tly to be discharged in this state. It was contemplated, however, by both parties that the transaction in grain, whether a real one or only a speculative one, should take place in Chicago. This is certain, because the plaintiffs so testify, and the defendant by his answer alleges that the intention was to wager in the market price of wheat at the Chamber of Commerce in Chicago.

The question whether this contract was an Illinois contract or a Wisconsin contract is an important one in the case, but it has received little attention in the briefs, although the plaintiffs claim that a verdict should have been directed in their favor, because the sale of the wheat was to be made, and in fact was made, in Chicago, and the laws of Illinois with respect to gambling transactions were not introduced in evidence. It does not clearly appear what view the trial judge took of the question, although he instructed the jury, in accordance with the law of this state, in effect, that if both parties intended the transaction to be a mere wagering contract on the price of wheat, without intention to deliver the wheat, but simply to settle by payment or receipt of differences, then the contract was void. Stats. 1898, sec. 2319a; Wall v. Schneider, 59 Wis. 352. Whether this instruction was based on the idea that the contract was a Wisconsin contract and'governed by Wisconsin law, or that, if it Hvas an Illinois contract, then that the law of Illinois would be presumed, in the absence of proof, to be the same as the law of Wisconsin, is’not apparent. If it was an Illinois contract, it would seem at least extremely doubtful whether any presumption would be entertained that the law of Illinois was the same as the law of Wisconsin on the subject. It has been held by this court (Hull v. Augustine, 23 Wis. 383) that such a presumption will not be indulged as to a statute imposing a penalty or a forfeiture, as in the case of usury lawTs. But, however this may be, we are of the opinion that the contract between plaintiffs and defendant was a Wisconsin contract, though the sale of grain was to be made in Chicago.

The question as to what law is to govern a contract is not always an easy one to decide. As a general rule the construction and validity of a purely personal contract depend on the law of the place where made. Story, Conflict of Laws, § 272. If, however, the contract is made in one place, to be performed in another, then, as a general rule, the place of payment or performance is the place of the contract. 2 Parsons, Cont. (8th ed.), 583; Newman v. Kershaw, 10 Wis. 333. This rule is founded on the idea that, in making a personal contract to be fully performed in another state, the parties must have had the law of that other state in view. Shores L. Co. v. Stitt, 102 Wis. 450. But if the contract is to be partly performed where made, and partly in other countries or states, the law of the place where it is made will still govern, unless a clear mutual intention is manifested that it shall be governed by the law of some other country. Liverpool & G. W. S. Co. v. Phenix Ins. Co. 129 U. S. 397. Thus, it was held in Morgan v. N. O., M. & T. R. Co. 2 Woods, 244, that, where a contract was made in one state to be partly performed there and partly performed in several other states, the contract, so far as it is personal in its nature, was to be governed by the law of the state where it was made. In the present case, the contract in question is the brokerage contract by which the defendant employed the plaintiffs to sell wheat for him in Chicago, and agreed to pay the plaintiffs their commissions for such service and indemnify them against loss. Roth parties lived in Wisconsin, and the contract was made here. It is true that one act under the contract was to take place in Illinois, but all other acts, including the payment by the principal of all obligations incurred to his agents, were manifestly to take place in Wisconsin. Under the rules stated, it seems certain that it should be held to be governed by the law of Wisconsin.

But even were it held to be an Illinois contract, it is not seen how the result would be different. It is'a universal principle that the courts of no state will hold valid any contract which is injurious to the public rights of its people, offends their morals, contravenes their policy, or violates a public law. 2 Kent, Comm. (14th ed.), 458, and cases cited in note “d.” So, in either event, if the alleged sale of the grain was in fact no sale, but only a gambling transaction,- and so intended by both parties, then the contract before us can be the foundation of no rights in our courts.

Certain rules of the Chicago Board of Trade were received in evidence against defendant’s objection, and this ruling is now assigned as error. It is unnecessary to recite the rules at length, but it is sufficient to say that they purport to give to members of the board, whether buyers or sellers, the right to demand of the other party to such sale or purchase the deposit of ten per cent, as security, and further security from time to time as the market price of the commodity sold varies, and also the right of resale or repurchase in case of failure to deposit the security as demanded. It is sufficient to say with regard to this ruling that we think sufficient foundation was laid for the reception of the evidence. The plaintiffs, by their agents, offered testimony to. show that the understanding was that the sale was to be made on the Chicago Board of Trade. The answer of the defendant, while claiming that the transaction was intended to be a gambling transaction, specifically alleges that it was to be a wager on prices of wheat at the Chicago Chamber of Commerce, which, we suppose, refers to the same institution as the Board of Trade. It is entirely clear that if the trade, whether real or speculative, was authorized to be made on the Board of Trade, it was intended to be made pursuant to the rules of such Board. The party who authorizes such a transaction to be made under the auspices of a particular organization, like a board of trade, impliedly submits himself to the lawful rules of the organization.

The court charged the jury, in effect, that the defendant had the burden of proof to show by the greater weight of evidence that both parties intended the transaction to be á gambling or wagering contract,' and unless he did so the defense failed; and to this instruction the defendant excepted.

The instruction was erroneous for two reasons: first, it was an instruction applicable only to a general verdict, and the case was submitted to the jury upon a special verdict; second, it is contrary to the rule laid down in Barnard v. Backhaus, 52 Wis. 593. In that base it was held that, to uphold such a contract (i. e. a time contract for the sale and delivery of grain upon a board of trade), it must affirmatively and satisfactorily appear that it was made with an actual view to the delivery and receipt of the grain, and not as a cover for a gambling transaction. This rule has not been departed from, so far as we can ascertain, in this court. It is not, in our judgment, unreasonable. It is based on the well-known fact that a very large majority of the transactions on such boards are not real transactions, but simply betting on future prices. The reasons for the rule are closely analogous to those which sustain the well-known rule that where voluntary transfers of property are made by aged-persons to one occupying a position of trust and confidence, under circumstances of secrecy, the burden is upon the grantee to show that the transaction was free from fraud. Doyle v. Welch, 100 Wis. 24. We are aware that many courts do not approve this rule, but it has been definitely approved by respectable courts. Sprague v. Warren, 26 Neb. 826; Cobb v. Prell, 15 Fed. Rep. 774; Wheeler v. McDermid, 36 Ill. App. 179.

It has been suggested that the statute (sec. 2319a, Stats. 1898) which was passed after the decision in Barnard t\. Bachhaus has changed the rule, but we have discovered no-words in that statute which indicate an intention to change the rule of evidence. It would have been very easy to express such intention in unmistakable terms if it existed.

For the error in this instruction there must be a new trial. It does not seem necessary to discuss other errors alleged.

By the Court.— Judgment reversed, and action remanded for a new trial.

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Concurrence Opinion

Cassoday, C. J.

I concur in the reversal of this judgment, but solely on the ground that an instruction applicable to a general verdict was given, whereas the case was submitted to the jury on a special verdict, contrary to the rule as held in Ward v. C., M. & St. P. R. Co. 102 Wis. 215, and subsequent cases. I cannot concur, however, in the proposition that the trial court committed an error in charging the jury to the effect that the burden of proof was upon the defendant to satisfy them by the greater weight of evidence that both parties intended to make, and did make, a gambling or wagering contract by and through the transactions in question.

It is conceded in the opinion filed that the contracts were valid, unless both parties intended the transactions to be mere wagering contracts on the price of wheat, without intending to deliver the same, but simply to adjust the differences by payments or receipts; citing Wall v. Schneider, 59 Vis. 352. The s actions of the statutes referred to in that case are highly penal. Secs. 4424, 4425, 4532, 4535, 4538, Stats. 1898. They not only render all wagering contracts void, but punish the offending parties and authorize the recovery back of the money paid thereon. So far as I am aware, the rule is universal that a party seeking to bring a given transaction with the opposite party under the condemnation of such penal statutes has the burden of proving it. The principle is stated by Lord Chief Justice Coee as follows: “ It is a general rule that whensoever the words of a deed, or of the parties without deed, may have a double intendment, and the one standeth with law and right, and the other is wrongful and against law, the intendment that standeth with law shall be taken.” 1 Co. Litt. 42b. So in this country it is held to be “ a rule of interpretation that where a contract is fairly open to two constructions, by one of which it would be lawful and the other unlawful, the former must be adopted.” Hobbs v. McLean, 117 U. S. 576, and numerous authorities there cited. The same rule has been applied to alleged wagering contracts. Bigelow v. Benedict, 70 N. Y. 205.

The latest edition of the American & English Encyclopedia of Law states the rule thus: “ (3) The real test whether the ostensible contract is or is not a gambling contract is a question of fact, and, if the evidence is conflicting, it is for the jury, under proper instructions from the court, to determine. (4) The burden of proof in actions on these contracts is upon the party alleging that the transaction is illegal and a gambling contract.” 14 Am. & Eng. Ency. of Law (2d ed.), 618. In support of such proposition numerous cases are cited from seventeen different states, besides several from the federal courts. I have only examined a few of them, but those and others I have examined support the text.

Thus, it is held that, “ in the absence of evidence to the ■contrary, it will be presumed that the contract was made in good faith, with intent on the part of both parties to perform.” Bigelow v. Benedict, 10 N. Y. 202. To the same effect is Story v. Salomon, 71 N. Y. 420,422, where it is said: “ We may guess that the parties were speculating upon the fluctuations in the price of the stock, and that the defendant was not to be required to take or deliver any stock in any case, but simply to pay differences. But a contract which can have legal interpretation and effect should not be condemned without any proof, in that way. To the same effect, Harris v. Tumbridge, 83 N. Y. 93. So it has been held in Alabama that where, “ by the terms of the contract, defendant agreed to deliver the stock, and plaintiff agreed to accept a delivery, the contract is prima facie valid, and the defendant on whom rests the burden of proof has failed to show any understanding or intent that there should be no delivery.” Perryman v. Wolffe, 93 Ala. 291. So, in Missouri, it is held that “ the burden of showing the invalidity of the contract rests upon the party asserting it.” Crawford v. Spencer, 92 Mo. 498, 502. So, in New Jersey, it is held that “ the burden of proving that transactions relating to the purchase and sale of stocks which are in form transactions between the customer, as principal, and the broker, as agent, are wagering contracts, rests on the pavrty asserting their illegality.” Pratt v. Boody, 55 N. J. Eq. 176. To the same effect, Beadles v. McElrath, 85 Ky. 230, 238. So, it has been held in Illinois that “ where the maker of a promissory note seeks to avoid the same on the ground that its consideration was illegal, the burden of proof is upon him to show the fact by a clear preponderance of the evidence.” Pixley v. Boynton, 79 Ill. 351. That case related to a transaction on the board of trade. To the same effect is Scanlon v. Warren, 68 Ill. App. 213, affirmed in 169 Ill. 142. See, also, Gaw v. Bennett, 153 Pa. St. 247, 255. Thus, in Minnesota it is held that “ the burden of establishing the illegality of such transactions rests upon the party who asserts it.” Mohr v. Miesen, 47 Minn. 228. See, also, Rountree v. Smith, 108 U. S. 269, 276; Irwin v. Williar, 110 U. S. 499, 507, 510; Bibb. v. Alien, 149 U. S. 492. In these cases it is held by the highest court in this country to be “ well settled that the burden of proof is upon the party who seeks to impeach such transactions by showing affirmatively their illegality.” In my judgment, there is no well-considered case holding a contrary rule.

But it said that this court is committed to a contrary ruling in Barnard v. Backhaus, 52 Wis. 593. That case was decided a few months before I became a member of the court, and a memorandum of the decision was made by the late Chief Justice Rtah, but he died before writing an opinion, and no opinion was written until a year afterwards. The syllabus to that case is, to my mind, misleading. It may be inferred from it that a contract for the sale and future delivery of grain, for a price certain, is presumptively a wagering contract. But that is contrary not only to the memorandum filed, but also to the opinion in the case; for it is declared in both that such contract, made with the “ bona fide intention to deliver,” is valid. To that statement the opinion by Chief Justice Cole adds: “ Such contracts are .constantly made in legitimate transactions, and are unobjectionable in law,” Page 598. It is then said in the memorandum: “But when sucb contracts are made as a cover for gambling, without intention to deliver and receive the grain, but merely to pay and receive the difference between the price agreed upon and the market price at such future day, they come within the statute of gaming, and are void in law. To uphold stick a contract it must affirmatively and satisfactorily appear that it was made with an actual view to the delivery and receipt of the grain, and not as an evasion of the statute of gaming,' or as a cover for a gambling transaction.” Page 591. In neither of the three cases cited by Chief Justice Cole do we find anything to support the alleged presumption of illegality. On the contrary, he quotes approvingly from the Pennsylvania case the following: “We must not confound gambling, whether it be in corporation stocks or merchandise, with what is commonly termed ‘ speculation.’ Merchants speculate upon the future prices of that in which they deal, and buy and sell accordingly. In other words, they think of and weigh' — -that is, speculate upon •— the probabilities of the coming market, ■and act upon this lookout in the future in their business transactions; and in this they often exhibit lygh mental grasp and great knowledge of business and of the affairs of the world. Their speculations display talent and forecast, but they act upon their conclusions, and buy or sell in a liona fide vray.” Pages 598,599. He then adds: “But when such a contract is made as a cover for gambling, without any intention to deliver and receive the grain, but merely to pay and receive the difference between the price agreed upon and the market price at 'such future day, then it comes within the statute of gaming, and is void in law.” Page '599. This left it for the party alleging such gambling contract to prove such facts.

It will be observed that that case did not turn upon a charge of the court as to the burden of proof, as here, nor "apon a ruling as to the admission of evidence. On the contrary, the jury was waived and the case was tried by the court, and came to this court upon the findings of the trial court and the evidence. The conclusion of this court from such findings and evidence, as indicated in the memorandum filed, is summed up by Chief Justice Cole in these words: u It is sufficient to say that the court deems it clearly and satisfactorily proven that in respect to some of the transactions none of the parties intended an actual sale and purchase of the wheat, c but that the whole thing was to be settled by the payment of differences.’ ” Three years after-wards this court had occasion to review that case; and with the concurrence of all the members of the court who made that decision, except the late Justice Oeton and Chief Justice Eyan, who had since died, it was said that the language quoted stated “ the ground for holding the note void in that 'Case.” Wall v. Schneider, 59 Wis. 354. In that case a judgment based upon a verdict directed in favor of the plaintiff was affirmed on the ground that it appeared from the evi■dence, “ conclusively, that the seller intended in good faith to deliver the commodities sold.” I certainly did not then understand, and do not now -understand, that this court had held ■that an executory contract for future delivery was presumptively a gambling contract. Such contracts are constantly being made in respect to all kinds of commodities and in all lines of business. I am unwilling to presume that such contracts are void merely because they relate to transactions upon some board of trade. We may have a suspicion that many of such transactions are entered into without any intent on the part of either party that the commodity contracted for should actually be delivered; and yet all must admit that there are legitimate transactions upon the boards •of trade every month, if not every week, amounting to millions. Certainly there is no good ground for presuming that all parties to such transactions are outlaws, nor that the burden of proof should be upon any to prove their innocence. The law is no respecter of persons, and in my judgment the law when applied to a given transaction upon the. board of trade is the same as when applied to a like transaction occurring elsewhere.

Dodue, J. I concur in the position and views declared in the foregoing opinion by the chief justice.

Case Details

Case Name: Bartlett v. Collins

Court Name: Wisconsin Supreme Court

Date Published: Mar 19, 1901

Citation: 109 Wis. 477

Court Abbreviation: Wis.