McDearman v. . Morris

Stacy, J., after stating tbe facts as above: Tbe only questions presented for our consideration on this appeal are those relating to tbe defendant’s alleged liability for failure to carry insurance for tbe benefit and protection of tbe plaintifE while tbe tobacco, which be bad purchased, was still on tbe warehouse floors of tbe defendant; it being alleged tbat such- was tbe general usage and custom under tbe instant facts and circumstances. Tbe defendant denied tbe existence of any sucb usage or custom, and contended tbat, regardless of tbe general rule throughout tbe tobacco belt, 'no sucb understanding prevailed in tbe Spring Hope market. Much of the argument before us was devoted to tbe question as to whether, as a matter of law, title to tbe tobacco was in tbe plaintiff at tbe time of tbe fire; and further, as to whether tbe same bad been delivered in tbe meaning of tbe clause in tbe defendant’s insurance policy, “sold but not delivered.” Conceding tbat tbe legal title bad passed to tbe plaintiff, we apprehend as to whether tbe tobacco bad been delivered and removed, as contemplated by tbe custom or usage, if any, prevailing in said market, is a question of fact to be ascertained and determined by tbe jury under proper instructions from tbe court. 17 C. J., 525. What was tbe custom or usage, if any, obtaining here, which is presumed to have entered into and become a part of tbe agreement, or witb reference to which tbe parties are presumed to have contracted? This is a question of fact, and it is not admitted. Tbe jury alone may answer it. 17 C. J., 481. *78 His Honor, in the beginning of his charge, instructed the jury that the defendant’s liability should be tested by the rule of the prudent man, under the instant facts and circumstances, or that he should be held to the duty of a bailee (Hanes v. Shapiro, 168 N. C., 24); and in a subsequent portion of his charge there was an instruction which seems to have placed the question of liability upon the existence or nonexistence of a general rule or custom prevailing in said market in regard to the warehouseman carrying insurance for the benefit of the buyers until a reasonable time had elapsed within which they might remove their tobacco from the warehouse floors. These instructions, placed as they were in opposition to each other, we think, were calculated to mislead, and in all probability did mislead, the jury. S. v. Faulkner, 182 N. C., 793. The rights and duties of the parties are contractual in their nature, and the usage or custom, if any, prevailing at the time and place in question is to be considered as a part of the contract, rounding it out and completing its terms. Oil Co. v. Burney, 174 N. C., 382. This is the ground upon which the plaintiff staked his defense to the counterclaim, as set up by the defendant. Therefore, what the contract was in its entirety and as to whether the defendant had discharged or breached his contractual obligations were questions to be measured by the terms of the agreement itself, and not necessarily by the conduct of the defendant as tested by the rule of the prudent man, or the duty of a bailee. It is true the custom or usage, which may be held to enter into and form a part of the contract, must be reasonable, as this is one of the essential requisites of its validity; but once fully established, nothing else appearing, it becomes obligatory and binding on the parties. Penland v. Ingle, 138 N. C., 456; 17 C. J., 449 et seq. Where there is a well known usage or custom which obtains in a given trade or business, it is presumed that all who are engaged in said trade or business where it prevails contract with a view to such usage or custom, unless the presumption is excluded by agreement of the parties. Hazard v. New England Marine Ins. Co., 8 Pet., 557; 27 R. C. L., 162, and cases cited in note. For the error, as indicated, we think there should be a new trial; and it is so ordered. New trial.