Rovno v. Lorentz

Pek Curiam, This case came into the common pleas by appeal on the part of the defendant from the judgment of a magistrate. But it appeared in the transcript of the magistrate that the action was brought for rent alleged to be due under a lease which contained this clause, “ The lessee waives all right of appeal from, or writ of error, or certiorari to any judgment, order or decree that may be entered against by any court or magistrate, for rent, damages, possession or otherwise.” The validity of such agreements cannot be questioned : Pritchard v. Denton, 8 Watts, 371; Foss v. Bogan, 92 Pa. 296; Cawley v. Bohan, 120 Pa. 295. See also Seagrave v. Lacy, 28 Pa. Superior Ct. 586. But it is contended that as the transcript shows that the defendant set up the defense of eviction the right to claim the waiver was barred. We cannot give assent to this proposition. The justice had jurisdiction to determine the question whether there was in fact an eviction, and the agreement was, in effect, that the lessee would be bound by his decision. If there were any special facts which would preclude the plaintiff from claiming the waiver, the defendant had opportunity to show them in response to the rule to show cause why the appeal should not be struck off. See Pritchard v. Denton, 8 Watts, 371. But he neglected to avail himself of this opportunity; therefore, as it appeared by the trans-script that the right of appeal was waived, the court was right in making absolute the rule. The subsequent application to vacate this order, and reinstate the rule upon the ground of after-discovered evidence was addressed to the sound discretion of the court below. No depositions were filed in [164] support of it, and nothing appears in the record brought up to us to show that the court improperly exercised its discretion in refusing it. The assignments of error are overruled,- and the order making absolute the rule to strike off the appeal is affirmed, the costs to be paid by the appellant.