Stewart v. Perkins

| Or. | Sep 15, 1869

Prim, J.

The jury in this case to whom was submitted the issues of fact, returned a general verdict in favor of the plaintiff and returned specially at the same time that “the defendant held possession of said ditches as the agent of S. B. Morse.” This special finding is inconsistent with the general verdict and should control it. The code provides that “when a special finding of facts shall be inconsistent with tbe general verdict, tbe former shall control the latter and the court shall give judgment accordingly.” (Code 192, sec. 213.) The court found as a conclusion of law that the defendants possession of said ditches as the agent of Morse was sufficient under the statute to render him accountable and liable to the plaintiff the assignee of Pack-wood, for the rent of the ditches.

Sections 31 and 32, page 718, of the general laws of Oregon, are relied upon to sustain this view of the case. Section 31 provides that “ every person in possession of land, out of which any rent is due, whether it was originally demised in fee, or for any other estate or freehold, or for any term of years, shall be liable for the amount or proportion of rent due from the land in his possession.” Section 32 provides that “ such rent may be recovered in an action at law, and the deed of demise, or other instrument in writing, if there shall be any, showing the provisions of the lease may be used in evidence by either party, to prove the amount due from the defendant.”

The old common law doctrine was that a rent charge could not be apportioned by the act of the landlord, on the principle that the contract was an entirety, and could not be apportioned. The objection was “ that it-exposed the tenant to several processes of distress for a thing which was originally entire, and he ought not to be obliged to pay his rent in different parcels, and to several landlords, when he contracted to pay one entire sum to one person.”

Sections'31 and 32 of the statute heretofore referred to, were copiéd from sections 22 and 23 of chapter 60, of the Revised Statutes of Massachusetts. They were adopted there, to remedy a supposed defect in the old law, and to authorize an apportionment of rent in certain cases where a reversioner wishes to sell his estate in different parts, to different persons, or to make provision for his children. The Supreme Court, the highest judicial tribunal of that state, has given a judicial construction to the two sections contained in their statute. In Campbell v. Stetson, reported in 2 Metcalf, 504, Shaw, C. J., in delivering the opinion of the court, says: “These are part of'a series of provisions respecting long terms, where a rent is reserved, and where the lands out of which such rents are to issue, are to be treated as real estate, and as such may be divided and subdivided by descent, partition, levy of execution and otherwise, with various detailed provisions in regard to terms, and the apportionment and recovery of rents. But these statutes do not declare when, and by what acts, a right to rent shall be created, vested, and transferred, but only declare how it may be recovered when it is due; that is, apportioned and recovered in an action of debt. They are intended to prescribe remedies — not to establish rights.” We think it is very clear that sections 31 and 32 had no applicability whatever, to such possession of real estate as ‘ Perkins had in this ease. He was not in the possession of the ditches in his own right, as the sub-lessee or assignee of Morse, the original lessee of Packwood, but was simply there as Morse’s agent, employed by Mm to manage and control them during his absence. The possession of Perkins was the possession of Morse, his principal, and under the plain rules of law, applicable to the relation of principal and agent, he was bound to account to Mm for the proceeds of the sales of water. To hold him personally liable for the rent due on the ditches to the lessor of his principal, would be contrary to every rule of common sense, as well as justice.

Therefore, we think the circuit court erred in holding that defendant was personally liable to plaintiff for the rents due him on the ditches.

Judgment reversed.