Schwab v. Esbenshade

151 Wis. 513 | Wis. | 1913

Siebecker, J.

The trial court informed the jury that the plaintiff sought to recover the $1,500 he had paid as part of the purchase price of the stock, upon a rescission of the contract of sale on the ground of fraud; that the plaintiff alleged as fraudulent the defendant’s representations as ■ to the value of the stock; that he also alleged that the defendant, with intent to deceive and induce the plaintiff to purchase the stock, falsely represented that he (the defendant) had arranged with the other stockholders and the directors of the company that if the plaintiff would purchase defendant’s stock plaintiff would be elected a director, the treasurer, and the business manager of the corporation and would be paid a salary of $40 per week; that the plaintiff claimed that he relied and acted on this arrangement in en-termg into tbe written contract with' the defendant for the purchase and sale of the defendant’s stock for the sum of $25,000; that the plaintiff now asserted that he had canceled the contract on account of such fraud; and that he demanded the return of the money he had paid the defendant as part of the purchase price.

There is no serious controversy ón this appeal but that the court by its instructions directed the jury to limit its inquiry to the issue of the alleged fraud pertaining to false representations as to the value of the stock, and thus excluded from its consideration 'and determination the question of the alleged fraud of the defendant in falsely representing to the plaintiff that he had arranged with the other stockholders and directors that if plaintiff purchased defendant’s stock he would be made a director, the treasurer, and the business manager of the corporation and receive a salary of $40 per week. If these last alleged false representations were made by the defendant and if plaintiff relied and acted thereon as he alleges, they manifestly constitute a material representation, and the question of whether or not they were fraudulently made was an essential and material issue; and failure to submit it to the jury was obviously prejudicial error, if the evidence in the case on this issue of fact was sufficient to carry it to the jury.

The contention of the respondent is that the omission of the court to submit this issue to the jury constitutes no error upon the trial, for the reason that the evidence was insufficient to sustain a verdict finding that the defendant made the alleged false representations to induce the plaintiff to make the contract for the purchase of the stock and that plaintiff relied thereon in making the purchase. The plaintiff testified that he met the defendant as a customer of the bank and informed him of his desire to leave his employment in the bank and to engage in some business for himself where he could make use of his experience and business knowledge to promote bis personal interests; tbat tbe defendant suggested tbat tbe plaintiff purchase defendant’s interest in tbe corporate business_and thereby be put in a position to take tbe place in tbe corporation wliicb tbe defendant held; tbat this led to negotiations between them with this end in view; tbat tbe defendant communicated to tbe plaintiff many facts regarding tbe business affairs of tbe corporation and stated to him tbe condition and value of tbe property, upon which plaintiff relied in buying defendant’s stock; tbat tbe ■defendant represented if plaintiff would purchase defendant's stock in tbe concern defendant would make arrangements with tbe other stockholders to secure for tbe plaintiff tbe same positions defendant held as a member of tbe corporation; tbat plaintiff assented to purchase defendant’s stock upon these conditions; and -that tbe defendant at their next meeting informed tbe plaintiff tbat be bad made this arrangement and it was fixed: “I would come in and take bis position if I would buy him out. Right then and there I gave him a check for $1,000.” Other statements of a like effect were given in evidence by tbe plaintiff, with some variation •of phraseology but of no practical difference. Tbe defendant denied tbat be made these representations. Plaintiff’s evidence on this subject, if tbe jury found it credible, was in'no way consistent with tbe defendant’s innocence of this fraud. Nor is it so uncertain and ambiguous in its effect tbat it -can be held as matter of law not to warrant tbe jury in finding it of sufficient probative force to repel tbe presumption ■of innocence and fair dealing between tbe parties. We are persuaded tbat tbe evidence presented a conflict on this point which should be resolved by a jury.

It is contended by tbe respondent tbat tbe evidence shows tbat tbe plaintiff did not rely on these representations in making tbe purchase of tbe defendant’s stock. An examination of tbe record shows tbat there is evidence in tbe cdse tending to show tbat tbe plaintiff relied thereon. Tbe inferences to be drawn from the facts and circumstances on this subject are not so clear and compelling that it can be said as matter of law that plaintiff did not rely on the representations which he alleges induced him to make the purchase. The negotiations he had with the other stockholders do not indisputably show that the plaintiff in fact relied on their representations in the matter or that he would have made the contract regardless of the alleged promises of the defendant to obtain the positions and salary for him if he purchased the stock.

It is ‘also contended that the plaintiff, by attending the stockholders’ and directors’ meetings and by accepting the employment offered him at a less compensation, after being denied an election to all the positions defendant had theretofore held and the salary of $40 per week, waived all the defaults of the defendant in the transaction in respect to the contract and ratified the contract of purchase and sale of the stock by retaining it, and that he thereby precluded himself from rescinding the sale. True, it appears that- the plaintiff, with full knowledge of these facts, remained with the corporation for two weeks and accepted the compensation voted him. It also appears that the plaintiff immediately protested to the defendant that he had not fulfilled his promises, that he expressed dissent from what had been done at the directors’ meeting and informed the defendant that he would not accept the result, that he offered defendant the stock and demanded the return of the purchase money paid thereon; that he told the defendant he would remain and perform the work assigned him only for the time being and because he was without other employment; and that he at all times insisted to the defendant that he would not accept the situation in fulfilment of the arrangement between them. It seems that the defendant held the stock as security for the unpaid purchase money, and shortly after plaintiff left the employment of the corporation the stock was retransferred on the books of the corporation to the defendant and that he has not repaid any of the $1,500 received as part payment from the plaintiff. The evidence presents an issue of fact for the jury to decide, whether the plaintiff repudiated the offers made to him as a stockholder in place of what defendant had agreed to secure for him, or whether he acquiesced in the situation as it was and thereby ratified the transaction of the stock purchase from the defendant. Erom these considerations it must follow that the court committed prejudicial eiTor in not submitting these questions to the jury, and a new trial must be had.

By the Court. — The- judgment -appealed from is reversed, and the cause remanded for a new trial.