People ex rel. O'Shea v. Lantry

60 N.Y.S. 1009 | N.Y. App. Div. | 1899

Per Curiam :

The point raised by the respondent, that this proceeding is barred by the four months’ Statute of Limitations (Code Civ. Proc. § 2125), is not well taken. The relator moved for the writ upon notice to the respondent. The notice of motion was served within the four months. When the application was actually heard the four months-had elapsed, - but the respondent, who was then represented by the* corporation counsel, interposed no opposition to the granting of the writ. H or was the point raised or suggested in the return to the writ. It was too late to raise the question for the first time upon the argument of this appeal. The ordinary Statute of Limitationscah be waived, and we see no reason why the same rule should not be applied to this special statute. We think, therefore, that the relator is entitled to a review upon the merits.

We have accordingly gone over the record, and are of the opinion that his removal was justified by the- evidence. There was sufficient testimony to support all the charges; but the “ second ” was. substantiated by an overwhelming preponderance of, evidence. And that particular charge was a- most serious one, fully warranting the relator’s removal from his peculiarly responsible position.

No question of law-is presented meriting extended consideration. The objections to testimony tending to show certain doings- of the relator prior to those particularized in the specifications, were with-cut merit. These prior doings bore upon the charges- of present mental weakness, lack of decision, want of force of character, and .general incapacity. They tended to show that the particular acts .specified were not isolated or accidental exhibitions of weakness, but -were indicative of persistent and rooted infirmities. Even, however, if the admission of testimony of this character would have been erroneous. in a common-law action, its reception here did not seriously prejudice the relator or materially affect his rights, within the. rule which has been laid down in these and cognate cases. (People ex rel. Flanagan v. Board of Police Comrs., 93 N. Y. 97; People ex rel. Folk v. Board of Police & Excise, 69 id. 408; People ex rel. Burby v. Common Council, 85 Hun, 612.)

After considering the mass of testimony contained in this voluminous record and noting especially that the evidence objected to had ¿o bearing upon the most serious and clearly proved of the five -charges, namely, the second, we may, without further discussion, adopt and apply the language of the court in People ex rel. Wallkill Valley R. R. Co. v. Keator (36 Hun, 596): “ On looking over the whole case, we are satisfied that the result would not or should not have been different had the evidence * * * been excluded.”

The determination of the respondent should be confirmed, with fifty dollars costs and disbursements.

Present —Van Brunt, P. J., Barrett, Rumsey, Patterson and O’Brien, JJ.

Determination confirmed, with fifty dollars costs and disbursements.