65 Neb. 429 | Neb. | 1902
We find it impossible to ascertain with any certainty what rulings are complained of in most of the eleven as
The only assignment of error which is so presented that we can consider it, relates to the action of the trial court in directing a verdict for the plaintiff. The petition alleged that plaintiff sold and delivered certain merchandise to. defendant at his request. The aqswer contains a general denial, an allegation that the merchandise was bought of one Green, a traveling man, without any notice or knowledge that Green was acting for any one else, and that defendant paid said Green therefor pursuant to the terms of the sale; and a further allegation that defendant has “paid for all the brooms received by him in the transaction described by plaintiff in his petition.” As the sole
We recommend that the judgment be affirmed.
By the Court: For the reasons set forth in the foregoing opinion, the judgment of the district court is
Affirmed.
Note. — Pleading.—Payment.—Plea of NU Débet. — Admission by Plea.— Code. — Common Law. The difference between the common-law method of pleading- and the Code — as has been said by another, — is that, under the former, the lawyer diagnosed the case; under the latter this task falls to the court. At common law, the plea of payment came under the generic term of pleas in discharge, which were classified, as follows, to wit: (1) plea in payment; (2) plea of release; (3) plea of bankruptcy; (4) plea of statute of limitations. McKelvey, Common Law Pleading, p. 100, and authorities cited. At common law, the g-eneral issue in an action of debt was nil debet (nothing is due); but afterwards nunquam indebitatus (at no time has he been indebted); and, under this plea, the defendant could show payment simultaneous with delivery, for, in that case, no debt ever arises. But under a plea- of discharge the original debt was admitted-. Under the Code there has been an attempt to wipe out the distinctions between forms of actions and defenses. The Code is a legislative act; the common-law method was built up by the courts.