Reed v. Thayer

9 Ind. 157 | Ind. | 1857

Perkins, J.

Reed, Thayer and Constant were partners, and dissolved their connection as such. This suit was instituted by Thayer and Constant against Reed, with whom they also joined one Miller, as a co-defendant; and the complaint, being somewhat in the nature of a bill in chancery under the old practice, alleged that Reed had got possession of the effects of the firm, and had assigned near 7,000 dollars in amount of them to Miller, — ostensibly to secure payment of a pretended debt of the firm, evidenced by notes executed by Reed — but really in pursuance of a conspiracy between him and Miller to cheat and defraud said Thayer and Constant, as the firm was not in any manner indebted to Miller. The complaint contained additional allegations, but enough has been stated for the purposes of the investigation now to be made.

The separate answers of the defendants, so far as the present occasion is concerned, may be taken as denials under oath of the complaint. The cause was put at issue by replies. A jury was called, the cause heard, verdict and judgment for the plaintiffs.

Several questions are presented by bills of exception. The debt pretended to be due from the firm to Miller was alleged to be for money lent, 6,000 dollars. And as tending to prove that Miller had not had that amount of means at the time, &c., at which it was claimed the moneys were loaned, the list of his taxable property, as sworn to by himself, was offered in evidence. But the defendants objected to it on two grounds — 1. Because it was irrelevant testimony. 2. Because being denied under oath, it had not been sufficiently proved. The paper was admitted, and, we think, .correctly. It tended to prove an important point in the plaintiff’s case, and. not being a paper incorporated into or referred to in the pleadings as the foundation of the action or defense, it did not fall within the rule of the statute as to such papers. It did not require the corroboration of two witnesses, or facts equivalent thereto. 2 R. S. p. 44, s. 80.

The defendants were not permitted to give evidence of general reputation as to Miller’s pecuniary means. We think this was no error; and, so far as this case is'concerned, we so decide; but with a hesitation that will leave the point open to reconsideration on fuller argument. The suit involved simply questions of private concern. It is well settled, as the general rule, that hearsay evidence is not admissible. Some exceptions to the rule—such as proof of pedigree, boundary, moral character, &c.—have been established; but the disposition of Courts is not to multiply them. Per Story, Justice, in Ellicott v. Pearl, 10 Pet. on pp. 435, 436. See, on this point, 1 Greenl. Ev. p. 213, et seq. We have not found any case where such evidence has been admitted to prove the solvency or insolvency of a party. In the U. S. Dig. vol. 14 (1854), p. 275, s. 247, it is laid down that, “ Whether a party is insolvent or not, cannot be proved by general reputation. Molyneaux v. Collier, 13 Geo. R. 406.” We have not been able to obtain the volume of reports cited, and we place no confidence in the correctness of the digest. "We do not, therefore, cite it as authority, but simply as a reference to a case to be examined, when opportunity offers. See Herald v. Scott, 2 Ind. R. 55.

To diminish the force of the tax-list above mentioned as evidence, the defendants undertook to prove that Miller did not understand its contents when he signed and swore to it; and, as tending to establish this fact, they offered to prove by the treasurer of the county, “ that when Miller came to pay his taxes for 1854, he told the treasurer that there must be some mistake about it — that his taxes must be more than that;” but the Court refused to allow the testimony to be given.

We can see no reason why the testimony should have been given. The declaration does not fall under the rule as to part of the res gesta.

The Court instructed thus:

“If the jury find that the whole or any part of Miller's claim against Reed & Co., is not sustained by evidence, you should find the assignment of the notes and accounts of Reed & Co. to Miller fraudulent; and the defendants are responsible in this action for the amount thus assigned.”

The defendants asked the Court to tell the jury that if they found “ any part of the claim of Miller against the firm of Reed & Co. correct, and that Reed assigned the notes and accounts named in the complaint as collateral security, and the amount of the security was not excessive, they might find said assignment to be bona fide, notwithstanding some part of Miller's claim had not been fully proven.” We add — if the assignment was not otherwise fraudulent. See Burrill on Assignments, 225, 226. The simple fact that the amount of the securities exceeded that of the principal debt, would not render the assignment of them fraudulent. The securities might not themselves be all collectable. We think the instruction given erroneous; and that that asked might have been correct, with the addition we have appended to it.

A point is made in relation to the right of the jury to amend their verdict. It is not material to discuss the action of the Court below, touching the matter, in this case. It is sufficient to say that a jury may be sent back to correct a defective verdict. Noble v. Epperly, 6 Ind. R. 468. See, as to amendment of verdict by the Court, Jones v. Vanzandt, 2 McLean, 611.

N. O. Ross, R. P. Effinger, D. M'Donald, and A. G. Porter, for the appellants. H. P. Biddle, E. T. Dickey, and H. J. Shirk, for the appellees.

The proceeds of the judgment would necessarily have to be applied in the first place, in liquidation of partnership debts. They would constitute, for that purpose, a trust fund, and perhaps should be paid to a receiver.

Per Curiam.

The judgment below is reversed, with costs. Cause remanded for a new trial. The reversal extends back to the issues, and carries costs to that point. Doyle v. Kiser, 8 Ind. R. 396.