86 Wash. 138 | Wash. | 1915
Respondent brought action against appellant to recover the sum of $100, alleging an oral agreement that he was to procure, or introduce to appellant, persons who would take the job of logging appellant’s land, and that if the persons so introduced to appellant took the job and worked at it for thirty days, appellant would pay respondent $100; that, in accordance therewith, he introduced to appellant persons who logged the timber for more than thirty days, and that respondent performed his part of the agreement. Appellant answered, denying respondent’s allegations, and alleging that the agreement was that respondent should procure persons who would take the contract to do the logging for $4 per thousand for fir and spruce, and $4.50 per thousand for hemlock and cedar, for which appellant would
Respondent moved to dismiss the appeal on the ground that the amount in controversy is less than $300, and that this court has no jurisdiction. The noted motion was denied
As to the form of decision herein, it is immaterial whether we in form dismiss the appeal or merely affirm the judgment. The record makes manifest that appellant did not even offer to introduce evidence in support of his attempted counterclaim. Had he done so, of course it should, and probably would, have been rejected. The issue as to the terms of the agreement was properly submitted to the jury under fair and appropriate instructions.
Numerous errors are claimed by appellant in the rulings of the court upon the cross-examination of witnesses by appellant, the admission and exclusion of evidence, in giving and refusing instructions to the jury, and in denying his motion for a new trial. With a feeling of consideration for and deference to appellant, we have carefully and patiently examined the entire record and find no error worthy of consideration. We do not feel inclined to establish a precedent whereon a practice may grow imposing jurisdiction upon this court in appeals when none exists in substance under the law. On the face of his pleading, appellant’s alleged counterclaim was purely fictitious so far as any legal liability of respondent was concerned. Nor did appellant attempt to preserve the substance of it by offering proof in support of it at the trial. Our appellate jurisdiction extends, in suits for the recovery of money or personal property, only to cases where the original amount in controversy or the value of the property exceeds the sum of $200. Const., art. 4, § 4. The amount in controversy is determined by the allegations of the pleading, not by the demand of the suitor. Ingham v. Harper
The appeal is therefore dismissed at cost of appellant. Morris, C. J., Chadwick, Mount, and Parker, JJ., concur.