Whitney v. Ludington

17 Wis. 140 | Wis. | 1863

By the Court,

Cole, J.

Looking at tbe particular terms and conditions of tbe contract offered' in evidence, we are clearly of the opinion that they show James Ludington, Whitcomb and Tracy to have been partners in fitting up tbe mill, and in manufacturing lumber, while it was in force. If this view of tbe effect of that agreement be correct, as a matter of course they were jointly liable for tbe expense of the repairs.

Tbe agreement contains many provisions which have no special bearing upon tbe question whether a partnership business was created. Only those clauses, therefore, will be noticed, which have a bearing upon that point.

In the first clause of the agreement, Ludington agrees to and does lease Whitcomb and Tracy a steam saw-mill and boarding house in the village of Oconto, for the term of eleven months. They agree to erect in and put upon the mill certain improvements and repairs therein mentioned, and to run the mill with due diligence for the next ensuing season. Lud-ington agrees to advance one thousand dollars at his own expense for making the improvements and repairs specified, and to bear one third of whatever expense might be incurred over and above that sum in making them. 'Then provisions are made for stocking the mill with logs. The lumber manufactured was to be shipped to Chicago, to some person whom Ludington might designate, to be sold. The proceeds of the sale, after paying the freight on the lumber, were to be applied as follows: The sum of seventy-five cents per thousand feet, for every thousand manufactured, was to be paid Ludington for the rent of the mill. The sum of one dollar and seventy-five cents for every thousand feet was to be paid Whitcomb and Tracy as expenses of manufacturing the said lumber. The residue was to be applied in payment of whatever advances Ludington might make Whitcomb on logs for stocking the mill, and ten per cent, interest, and after allowing Whitcomb three dollars per thousand feet for all logs furnished and sawed by him into lumber at the mill during the continuance of the lease, then one fourth of tbe net proceeds of tbe business was to be paid Ludington.

Now in regard to fitting up tbe mill it will be seen that Lud-ington was to participate in and bear one third of tbe expense over and above tbe thousand dollars, which he individually paid for that purpose. The repairs were to be made under the direction of Whitcomb and Tracy, who contributed their labor and skill and paid two thirds of the excess. The improvements were doubtless considered to be valuable and permanent, and as Ludington owned the mill he was willing to defray a portion of the expense out of his own funds. So if the proposed improvements should cost four thousand dollars, Whit-comb and Tracy would make them and and pay one half of the expense, and Ludington would meet the other half.

Then in reference to the lumber manufactured, Ludington was directly interested in that, and ma'de ample provision for keeping it under his control. It was to be shipped to his agents ; sold by them, and the proceeds of the sales applied as above stated. Ludington was to be paid a certain sum per thousand for the use and occupation of the mill. Whitcomb and Tracy were to be paid a certain sum as compensation for manufacturing the lumber. The logs to stock the mill were then to be paid for. And then Ludington was to be paid one fourth of the net proceeds of the business. This agreement would seem to contain all the elements of a partnership in respect to fitting up the mill and in manufacturing the lumber. There is a clear agreement to participate in the profit and loss of the business. Ludington contributed capital, and the other parties labor and skill. They were- jointly interested in the lumber manufactured. And it was doubtless sold on their ■joint account. After deducting out of the proceeds of the sales the freight, the rent, and a certain amount to pay for manufacturing the lumber, then the net proceeds of the business were to be divided as therein agreed. As it seems to us, this is but a stipulation to share in the profit and loss of a certain business, and tbe parties were jointly liable for tbe expense of fitting up tbe mill.

We are aware that there is a class of cases which bold that a mere participation in tbe profits of a concern does not necessarily create a partnership. It is considered a stipulation for compensation for labor or services in proportion to a given quantum of tbe profits. It would be idle to go over tbe cases where this question has been discussed, and examine tbe nice distinctions which may be found in tbe books. They will be found in tbe notes to Collyer on Partnership, book 1, chap. 1. But we do not think this case falls within tbe principle of those decisions. It cannot be said here that Ludington had no interest in the lumber manufactured, but was to be compensated for services rendered by him by receiving a share of the profits of the business in which he was employed. He was not an agent or person working for the concern. He was the party principally interested in the business, especially in the repairs and improvements on the mill.

This action was brought to enforce a mechanic’s lien and to recover for work performed and materials furnished in repairing the mill. The defense on the part of Ludington was, that he was not liable for these repairs. There was testimony offered tending to show that he employed the plaintiff to make the repairs. And various exceptions were taken to the rulings of the circuit court on the admission of testimony, to its refusal to grant a nonsuit, and to instructions given the jury. But all these exceptions become immaterial in the view we have expressed of the terms and effect of the written contract. They will not therefore be more particularly considered.

The judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.