Loftus-Hubbard Elevator Co. v. Smith-Alvord Co.

90 Minn. 418 | Minn. | 1903

BROWN, J.

Action to recover upon a promissory note, in which defendant had a verdict, and plaintiff appealed from an order denying a new trial.

Several assignments of error are discussed in appellant’s brief, only two of which we deem necessary to refer to particularly. The complaint alleges that on March 12, 1902, Thomas G. Alvord Company, a. corporation, made and delivered its promissory -note to plaintiff, by .which it promised to pay to its order the sum of $200; that prior to-its delivery defendant Thomas G. Alvord, Smith-Alvord Company, and. R. -Smith, for value, indorsed the same for the purpose of giving credit-.thereto with plaintiff, waiving thereby demand, notice, and- protest.. Defendant Smith alone answered, and h^ interposed a general denial-Upon the trial, plaintiff offered the note sued on in evidence, upon the back of which appeared the following indorsement:

“Waiving demand, notice and protest.

“Thos. G. Alvord.

“Smith-Alvord Co.

“R. Smith, Pres.”

And rested its case, whereupon defendant offered evidence tending to show that “Smith-Alvord Co.” was a corporation of which defendant Smith was president, and that the indorsement was made by him for the corporation, and as its president, and not in his own personal, individual capacity. Objection was made to this line of evidence on the ground that it was not justified by the answer. We are unable to concur with appellant in this contention. The rule is thoroughly settled in this state that any evidence which tends directly to contradict the allegations or evidence of the plaintiff is admissible under a general denial. Hanson v. Diamond Iron Min. Co., 87 Minn. 505, 92 N. W. 447. There can be no question in the case at bar but that the evidence offered by defendant, just referred to, did tend directly and positively to contradict the allegations of the complaint to the effect that Smith indorsed the note, and was personally liable for its payment. The claim made that the evidence tending to show that “Smith-Alvord Co.” was a corporation was incompetent, because the articles of association were not produced, is not sound. The question whether “Smith-Alvord Co.” was a corporation was merely incidental, and the evidence was properly received.

When counsel for defendant came to discuss the evidence to the jury he was permitted, over plaintiff’s objection, to read and comment upon certain allegations of the original complaint, which was superseded by an amended complaint upon which the case was tried, and it is urged that this was error, for which a new trial should be granted. Only a portion of what counsel said in this connection is contained in the record — a remark to the court — and that was clearly not prejudicial to plaintiff. Counsel’s remark was that the original complaint charged defendant as a maker of the note, while the amended complaint seeks only to hold him as an indorser. No prejudice could possibly result from this. And again, the original complaint is not returned to this court. We are not advised of its contents, and cannot say that it was prejudicial error to permit it to be read to the jury. Of course, counsel had no right to read it to the jury, or to read any paper to them which was not properly received in evidence. But it was incumbent upon plaintiff to show error, and this, by the failure to 'include the original complaint in the return to this court, and by not setting out the objectionable remarks of coúnsel, he has not done.

The other assignments of error — one was abandoned on the argument — do not require special mention.

Order affirmed.