11 Tex. 44 | Tex. | 1853
We are of opinion that evidence of the time of the commencement of the contract was admissible under the pleadings. It was not specified in the writing, and consequently extrinsic proof became necessary.
Hor was there error in making the executor a party, after the close of the testimony. The object of the law was attained by having a party at the verdict and judgment. It would have been idle, after the party was formally made, to have caused the evidence to be again repeated to the jury.
The principal questions arising upon the assignments, and the arguments of counsel are,
1st. Whether the contract was for one year; and
2nd. If for a year, whether the verdict and judgment be supported by the facts of the case.
The contract, then, being for a year, and having been broken by the dismissal of the plaintiff, the question as to the measure of his damages arises for consideration. It is contended by the appellants, that the criterion by which this is to be ascertained, is the loss actually sustained; and by the appellee, that, as he was dismissed without cause, he is entitled to recover for the whole time stipulated. Upon this, and questions of an analagous character, there will be found, on examining the authorities, quite a conflict of opinion. In older cases, even in relation to overseers’ wages, the rule is generally recognized, that contracts for hire cannot be apportioned, and that the employee, if he voluntarily abandon the service before the period specified in the contract, can recover no compensation for services already rendered; and on the contrary, if dismissed without good cause, he can recover wages for the whole time. That this rule is merely technical and, in its operation, inflicts great injustice, is obvious, on the slightest reflection. If, for instance, the plaintiff in this case, after rendering ten months’ services, and which might be most beneficial to his employers, had left the employment or been discharged for sufficient reason, would it not be most oppressive to deprive him of all compensation for the services actually rendered % The damages resulting from his abandonment may have been very slight. His place might perhaps have been promptly filled by another equally competent. To refuse compensation
If the offer, by an overseer, to perform service, is equivalent, in every respect, to actual performance, he might, without doing duty for a day, recover wages for the year—although perhaps he may be engaged during the year elsewhere in some employment equally or perhaps more profitable—or might have been engaged, had he made any attempt to procure employment. This would be too monstrous to be sanctioned by any sound principles of law or rules of equal justice.
The planter might, in the course of the year, remove elsewhere, or his plantation or forces might be sold for debts; would there be any justice in an overseer’s exacting, compensation for the whole year ? Or would it not be much more reasonable that he should be paid for services actually performed ; and such damages as would probably result from this unexpected dissolution of the contract %
Let us suppose, in an analogous case, that a mechanic had been employed to build a house, and after some work done, or before commencement, the employer finds himself without funds, or for some reason forbids the execution of the work, can the the mechanic, under the rule in relation to tender, recover the contract price of the work, as though it had all been performed % This seems to have been, at one time, the general rule; but the contrary may now be said to be established, and the damages actually sustained only allowed for compensation.
Such is the recognized criterion, for damages to be allowed mechanics, boatmen, &e., for broach of contract, in the cases of Shannon v. Comstock, 21 Wendell, 451; 1 Denio, 317; Littel’s Select Cases, 366; 6 Dana, 352; 7 Dana, 472 ; 8 Dana, 48.
Contracts for overseers’ wages are not, it is believed, now at least, generally considered as entire—or incapable of apportionment. Bach, at least, is not the rule as now recognized in South Carolina; (4 McCord, 246-249; 2 Hill, 486;) or in Mississippi. (6 Smedes & Marshall.)
If an overseer were turned off at a season of a year when he could not get employment, then the damages awarded should be commensurate with the sum which had been con
There was no damage proven in this case, by the plaintiff, nor was there any attempt by the defendant to show that no damage had been sustained. There is very little satisfactory evidence in the case. Judgment reversed and cause remanded.
Reversed and remanded.