Lusk v. Smith

21 Wis. 27 | Wis. | 1866

Cole, J.

In view of the facts disclosed in the evidence in this case, we think the court below erred in directing the jury, as a matter of right, to allow the plaintiff interest upon the $5.09, from the 21st of December, 1863. The suit was brought to recover the balance due on an account for lumber sold at various times. It appears there was a dispute between the parties as to the just amount due on the account. They made an effort to settle on the 21st of December, 1863, or about that time, when the plaintiff claimed that there was $45.09 still due on the account, and the defendant insisted that there was only $5.09, and that be bad made a previous payment of $40, with which be bad not been credited. At this time the defendant swears be offered to pay the $5.09, the balance of the account, if be were credited the $40 which be claimed he bad paid, but the plaintiff’s agent refused to take that amount, and insisted on being paid $45.09. The defendant further states in bis testimony, that the plaintiff never demanded any interest of him, and that nothing was said upon that subject. On the trial, the counsel for the plaintiff conceded that under the proof there must be deducted from the amount claimed due in the bill of particulars the sum of forty dollars paid by the defendant on the 4th of July, 1863, as shown by bis testimony. And the circuit court instructed the jury, that even under this state of facts, interest must be allowed on the $5.09 from the 21st of December, 1863.

It is not claimed that there was any evidence tending to prove a contract to pay interest upon this account from any period; nor was any custom shown or course of dealing between the parties, from which a contract to pay interest might be inferred. Neither do we think there was shown any such demand and refusal to pay the amount due, as would authorize the court to say, as a matter of law, that such amount bore interest from the time the parties attempted to settle. At this time, it will be remembered, the defendant offered to pay all that was afterwards admitted or proved to be due. Now it may be a very sound principle, when the amount due upon an account is ascertained or not in dispute, to allow interest upon it as of course after demand and refusal. In such a case, the amount that ought to be paid is sufficiently ascertained to put the party in default for not paying, and render him liable for interest. But not so where an excessive amount is demanded, and the debtor offers to pay all which he ought to pay. In the case of Goff vs. the Inhabitants of Rehoboth, 2 Cush., 475, C. J. Shaw lays down the rule, that the demand of payment of a running account, in order to lay the foundation of a claim for interest, must be a separate demand of a debt or sum which is afterwards proved or admitted to be due, and not a demand for such a debt or sum together with another which is afterwards proved or admitted not to be due. The rule has much reason and justice to support it. See likewise Wood vs. Hickok, 2 Wend., 501; Doyle, Adm’r &c., vs. St. James’ Church, 7 id., 179. Here the principal, or rather the only item in controversy, when the parties attempted to settle, was, whether the defendant should be credited with the payment of $40, which he claimed to have made. He was entirely willing then to pay $5.09, but the plaintiff would not accept that sum in payment of the account. Under such circumstances, we think it incorrect to say the plaintiff had a right, as a matter of law, to interest upon the balance found due from that time.

It was suggested on the argument by the counsel for the appellant, that if we should^be of the opinion that the ruling of the circuit court was erroneous in respect to the interest, we should reverse the judgment and remand the case with instructions for that court to render judgment in accordance with the motion made by him. It would doubtless be competent for this court to send the cause down with such instructions ; but we think it better to order a new trial. •

By the Court.-The judgment of the circuit court is reversed, and a new trial awarded.