142 Ky. 353 | Ky. Ct. App. | 1911
Opinion op the Court by
Reversing.
Current and Wood executed two promissory notes to the American Automatic Advertising Co. for $706.25 each, which before maturity were discounted to appellant for value. The notes were given for the price of certain rights to the exclusive use of patented articles in territory in Kentucky. Appellees the makers defended on the ground that the notes were given to itinerant persons, and for the rights named, and, as they were not indorsed “peddlers note,” as required by section 4223, Ky. Stats., they were void. They also pleaded that the consideration for the notes had failed. Appellant demurred to the answer. The demurrer was overruled. Appellant elected to stand on its demurrer and the petition was accordingly dismissed.
By section 4215, Ky. Stats., all persons who are by that article deemed peddlers are required to pay a license for plying their vocation. Section 4216, Ky. Stats., then reads:
“All itinerant persons vending lightning rods, goods, wares, merchandise, clocks, watches, jewelrjq gold, silver, or plated ware, spectacles, drugs, perfumery and any other thing not hereinafter specially exempt shall be deemed peddlers.”
By section 4218, Id., no person shall be deemed a peddler for selling tinware, agricultural implements, sewing machines, portable mills, books, pamphlets, papers,
Under section 4216, Ky. Stats., as it existed prior to 1906, this court had construed that a note given as consideration for the use of a patent right in this State, not endorsed as required by section 4223, Ky. Stats., was void. (Bohon’s Assignee v. Brown, 101 Ky., 354; Bugg v. Holt, 29 Ky. Law Rep., 1208, 97 S. W., 29; Rumbley v. Hall, 107 Ky, 349, 21 Rep., 1071, 54 S. W., 4.) It had also been held that section 4215 requiring the taking out of a license by venders of patent rights was unconstitutional. (Hays v. Commonwealth, 107 Ky., 655; Commonwealth v. Petty, 96 Ky., 452.) The statute subdivision 3, of article 12, chapter 108, Ky. Stats. (Revenue and Taxation), defining the duties and liabilities of peddlers, had a two-fo'ld object; one to produce revenue from itinerant merchants and venders of merchandise; the other, the protection of the public against imposition and fraud by such. It is not certain that the Legislature would have enacted the statute as to either of its aspects without the other.' So when this court had decided that
Hence the phrase in section 4216, “and anything not hereinafter specially exempt,” means anything to sell which a license is required by section 4215. This construction gives some meaning to the legislative action. The converse would be to hold that nothing was intended by it. That we ought not to assume.
The judgment is reversed and cause remanded, with directions to sustain the demurrer to the answer, and for proceedings not inconsistent herewith.