Walsh v. Dart

23 Wis. 334 | Wis. | 1868

Cole, J.

As this cause was 'tried by the court without a jury, we are under the necessity of determining whether the finding of facts is in accordance with the weight of testimony, although there was no motion for a new trial. Fisher v. The Farmer's Loan and Trust Company, 21 Wis. 73. The court found that the plaintiff was not guilty of laches in the forwarding or presentment of the bill for acceptance and payment. Tlie bill was indorsed to tbe plaintiff on the 12th of January, 1865, who retained it until the 26th of that month, when he sent it by mail to his correspondent in New York, for payment. There are no circumstances appearing in the case to excuse this delay. Prima, facie, we think the plaintiff was guilty of negligence in holding the bill fourteen days before sending it forward. This delay may be explained, and the presumption that the plaintiff was guilty of laches may be overcome by proof. The plaintiff was bound to use reasonable diligence in forwarding the bill according to the ordinary course of business. Edwards on Bills and Notes, 386, et secq.; Mohawk Bank v. Broderick, 13 Wend. 133; Prescott Bank v. Caverly, 7 Gray, 217; The Phœnix Insurance Company v. Allen, 11 Michigan, 501. "What is reasonable diligence is a mixed question of law and fact, to be decided by the jury under proper instructions. But when the facts are admitted and clear, it is competent for the court to determine whether the reasonable time required by law for the presentment has been exceeded or not. And as no excusing circumstances are disclosed, we think a delay of fourteen days in holding the bill is unreasonable. Of course, the plaintiff was not responsible for the delay in the mail, but he ought to make some explanation why he held the bill the length of time he did.

It is suggested that this point of negligence was made when this ease was here on a former appeal (12 Wis. 635), and impliedly overruled. It is true that this point was made upon the brief of counsel, but the case went off on another point, and it did not become necessary to express any opinion upon the question of diligence, and none in fact was expressed.

"We think there must be a new trial.

By the Court. — The judgment of the circuit court is reversed, and a new trial awarded.