35 N.Y.S. 547 | N.Y. Sup. Ct. | 1895
The alleged agreement was not in writing, and the evidence on the part of the plaintiff to prove it was to the effect that on or about the 26th day of March, 1894, the agreement was made for one year’s service, to commence on or about April 1st, when he should be requested by the defendant to do so; that, pursuant to her request afterwards made, he entered upon the performance of the contract on the 29th day of March, 1894. There was a conflict in the evidence of the parties relating to the terms of the contract, and as to the manner of the performance of the service by the plaintiff. The nonsuit of the plaintiff was directed upon the ground that the contract was void by the statute of frauds, as it was not in writing, and, by its terms, not to be performed within one year from the time it was made. This was not alleged as a defense. There has been some conflict in authority on the subject, but the doctrine of the later cases is that it must be pleaded, to render the statute of frauds available as a defense. Hamer v. Sidway, 124 N. Y. 539, 27 N. E. 256; Wells v. Monihan, 129 N. Y. 161, 29 N. E. 232; Crane v. Powell, 139 N. Y. 379, 34 N. E. 911, affirming (Com. Pl.) 19 N. Y. Supp. 220; Barrett v. Johnson, 77 Hun, 527, 28 N. Y. Supp. 892; Banntyne v. Mining Co., 77 Hun, 289, 28 N. Y. Supp. 334.
It is urged by the learned counsel for the defendant that the plaintiff failed to prove the contract alleged in the complaint, and for that reason the direction of the nonsuit was supported by the denial alleged in the answer, inasmuch as the contract proved was within the statute. The variance thus referred to is in the fact that the plaintiff did not allege in the complaint a contract which, by its terms, was not to be performed within one year. The counsel cites several of the earlier cases, in which this question did not arise, but where it was said, obiter, that, if the agreement were denied, it was incumbent upon the plaintiff to establish a contract valid within the statute, by evidence competent to prove it. The distinction urged to the effect that the denial by answer of the making of the alleged contract is effectual when, as alleged in the complaint, it does not appear that it would be void if not in writing, although otherwise it would be necessary to plead the statute, is not observed by the cases cited. In those cases in which it was said that the denial would put the plaintiff to the necessity of giving such evidence as would establish an agreement having the formality required by the statute to render it valid, the contracts, as alleged, were invalid, within the statute of frauds, unless in writing. Cozine v. Graham, 2 Paige, 177; Bank v. Root, 3 Paige, 478; Marston v. Swett, 66 N. Y. 206. Nor is such distinction observed in any of the cases to which our attention has been called. It is suggested that it was in the mind of the court in Crane v. Powell, but nothing appears in that case to
The plaintiff’s counsel urges, as a further reason why the nonsuit should not have been directed, that the tender was ineffectual as a defense, because the amount was not paid into court. It is true that, when a tender is made before action commenced, it may be treated as a nullity, unless the money is paid into court, and notice to that effect is given with the answer alleging the tender as a defense. But that is a matter of practice, and, if the answer is. received and retained without raising the objection to the omission, the plaintiff may be deemed to have taken issue upon the plea of' tender, and waived the irregularity. Sheriden v. Smith, 2 Hill, 538; Wilson v. Doran, 110 N. Y. 101, 17 N. E. 688. And if any objection.
The motion for a new trial should be granted, costs to abide the event. All concur.