Davis v. Kobe, 36 Minn. 214

Davis v. Kobe

36 Minn. 214 | Minn. | 1886

Dickinson, J.

A factor or commission merchant, to whom wheat is consigned for storage in an elevator, not a private warehouse, and for sale, may store it in a mass in a bin with other wheat of the same grade and quality, in the absence of instructions from the consignor to the contrary. } It has become a matter of common knowledge that such is the customary manner of storing wheat in our general commercial elevators, and of this the courts should not affect ignorance, but should take judicial notice without proof. The fact that the wheat is of the grade known as “condemned,” creates no exception to the rule. There was therefore no error in that part of the charge of the court referred to in the appellant’s first assignment.

The court did not err in instructing the jury that if the consignor shipped this grain to his factor at Duluth to be sold there, and the grade at Duluth was not as good as at the place of shipment, the consignor must bear the loss, in the absence of special instructions to his factor. This was only saying, in other words, that the factor, in executing his agency by selling in the Duluth market, would not be responsible to his principal in respect to the grades established at that place. The principal assumed the risk of that when he selected his market.

f The court properly instructed the jury that the factor was justified in selling the wheat, notwithstanding the request of the principal to *216hold it longer. ' Ordinarily, the agent would be bound to obey the instructions of his principal as to the time of selling. 'But it was shown that the factor had made large advances to his principal upon this wheat; that the grain was of doubtful sufficiency as security for what was due to the factor on account thereof; that the factor had repeatedly demanded repayment of his advances, or security for the same, as a condition of his continuing to hold the wheat, notifying his principal that he should sell if his demand was not complied with; and that, although reasonable notice had been given, the principal had neglected to reimburse or secure the agent. ' Under such circumstances, the factor had a right, acting in good faith, and with reasonable discretion, with regard both to the reimbursement of himself and the interest of his principal, to sell the property. Brown v. McGran, 14 Pet. 479; Feild v. Farrington, 10 Wall. 141; Parker v. Brancker, 22 Pick. 40.

From what has already been said, it follows that the charge was .correct that if there were no special instructions as to a separate storage of the grain, and if it sold for a fair price, the verdict should be for the plaintiff. In other words, the factor, being justified in selling and having sold, for a fair price, the principal is not, because of such sale, entitled to recover against the factor.

Order affirmed.