55 Ark. 65 | Ark. | 1891
We cannot say that, upon the trial of Robinson’s competency as an expert, the court erred in admitting his opinion. But there was absolutely nothing tending to show special knowledge or skill in.Benton Turner, and his opinion was inadmissible. He testified that he thought if was worth as much to haul stone on a railroad as brick, and that defendant’s charge for the former service was unreasonable. His-opinion related to the very matter to be decided, and may have influenced the jury in its verdict; and yet there is nothing in the record to show that he had any more knowledge or skill in the matter of adjusting freight rates than anyone of the jury or any other citizen of the county. Without such qualification, his opinion should not be permitted to influence a finding, and should have been rejected as evidence. Lawson, Expert Evidence, pp. 203 and 497. It is insisted that his opinion was admissible because it related to the value of services. The premise does not justify the conclusion. The value of services may generally be proved by opinion evidence, but not by the opinion of anybody who may be offered. Only such witnesses as have special knowledge as to the particular matter of value can give an opinion in reference to it, for no other can state an opinion entitled to any weight. So a farmer may state his opinion as to the value of farming lands, but not of mining lands; and a lawyer may state his opinion as to the value of legal services, but not of medical services.
The other matters adverted to in the argument may be tested by the principles herein announced without more explicit decision upon each. The error in admitting the evidence of Turner is sufficient to require that the judgment be reversed, and it is so ordered.