9 Iowa 360 | Iowa | 1859
The error assigned is, that the finding of the court is against the law and the facts. In submitting the case to the court, the parties reserved to themselves the right to except, in the same manner, as if it had been tried by a jury. This was their legal right, without agreement. The court took the place of the jury, and its finding, has the same degree of conclusiveness as a verdict. And we are now called upon to review this judgment in the same manner that we would the verdict of a jury.- We are to be governed by the same rules, and give every presumption in favor of its correctness. Williams v. Souter and Drew, 7 Iowa 435. If the court below errs in granting or refusing a new
What view was taken by the judge below, of the law of the case, we cannot tell, except as it may be inferred from the conclusion drawn from the evidence Submitted. And let it be remembered that we are reviewing the case, not upon the facts found, as contemplated by section 1793, of the Code, but upon the entire testimony, just as we would the verdict of a jury, all the ‘evidence being before us. As to the law of the case, appellant claims, “that if a note is signed by partners, apparently in the partnership name, their liability is presumed, and it is not incumbent upon the holder of the note to show affirmatively, that it was given as a partnership transaction, and that this is true, though the partnership is limited to a particular branch of business; citing, Waldo Bank v. Greeley, 16 Maine 419; Vallett v. Parker, 6 Wend. 615; Barrett v. Swann, 17 Maine 180; McMullen v. McKenzie, 3 G. Greene 368; Doty v. Bates, 11 John. 554; Whittaker v. Brown 16 Wend. 507; and see Ensminger v. Manin, 5 Black. 210; Collyer on Part. 382, and note; Knapp v. McBride, 7 Ala. 19.
It is thus seen that the authorities conflict; the only case cited in this State being in favor of appellant. From the view we shall take of the case, it will be unnecessary to determine between this conflict of opinion. Let it be conceded that the law is as claimed by appellant; that the court below should have so held, and still we cannot say that the finding was so clearly against the evidence as to justify a new trial. It will be remembered that the execution of the note is denied under oath. The subsequent admission, on the trial, that Warde signed the note, rendered proof of the hand writing or signature, unnecessary. Without such sworn denial, the signature would have been prima facie evidence of the execution. With it, in the ordinary case of a signature by one person as payor, proof of the signature or execution is required. In the case of a partnership, the execution of the note must be proved (where there is a sworn denial;) and where a firm name is signed by one, the existence of the partnership, at the time of such execution, should also be shown. It will not do, where the execution is thus denied, to presume from the existence of the note, the existence of the partnership, and then further presume that it was given on a partnership transaction. In other words, the existence of the partnership at the time, being
Aside from the note, then, we are not prepared to say that the proof of the partnership, at the time it was executed, was so clear or satisfactory, that a verdict to the contrary, could be said to be so much against the weight of evidence as to justify a new trial. We cannot say but that the finding was the result of a free, sound and unbiased exercise of judgment, on the testimony submitted. The only evidence of any act done by either of these parties, (defendants) prior to the date of the note, is the execution of the bond, which was datedMarchl, 1852. The note was made March 12th, and the next date is that.of the advertisement in the newspaper, July 3,1852. When the card was issued, is not shown. In July, after the note was executed, then these persons, by their card acknowledged their joint relation', and beyond the bond and note, this is the first certain information we have of such partnership. The effect to be given to the note in this respect, we have already shown. What of the bond, then? It is not shown who executed it, nor that Woodward, by act or admission of his, recognized it as a partnership. transaction, or that a partnership then existed. To say the least of it, therefore, it did not so conclusively establish a partnership as to preclude a contrary finding. Nor can proof of the partnership afterwards aid plaintiff; for, while the presumption is that it continues, its existence being once shown, no presumption obtains of a prior existence. The existence of the partnership is a question of fact for the jury, (or in this case, for the court,) and they alone are authorized to decide upon the weight and sufficiency of the testimony to establish that fact. 2 G-. Greene 368. It may be proved in many ways, as by the separate admission of all — the acts, declarations and conduct of the parties, or the
While therefore wo may admit that treating it as a question, first presented to us for determination, we might find the proof sufficient upon this point in the case, we cannot say, as an appellate court, that there was any such error of judgment,- as to justify our interference. There is no very controlling reason why the court, setting as a jury, might not have found either way, .and in such a case, the rule should be to affirm, rather than reverse. Other points in the case might be referred to sustaining the view taken upon the one above discussed, but the foregoing is sufficient.
Judgment affirmed.
"Woodward, J., being interested, took no part in the determination of this cause.