Richardson v. Harrell

Hughes, J., (after stating the facts). The motion for a new trial not having been filed in time, and having been stricken out by the court, the only question presented for our determination in the caséis, was it competent for the court to render judgment on the defendant’s bond against the securities in this action ? The contention of the appellants is that no judgment could be rendered on their bond against them for any amount, save the damages sustained by the plaintiff by being kept out of possession of the property after the notice was served on Billingsly to quit and deliver possession to the plaintiff. To maintain this contention, the appellant relies upon the act of February 8, 1883, which provides for the recovery only of damages by plaintiff for being kept out of possession, but the later act of February 5, 1891, is in conflict with this, and must prevail. By the act of February 5, 1891, it is provided that, “if, upon the trial of any action under this act, the finding or verdict is for the plaintiff, the court or jury trying the same shall assess the amount to be recovered by the plaintiff for the rent due and withheld at the time of commencement of the suit and up to the time of rendering judgment, or the value of the use and occupation, or of the rents and profits thereof during the time the defendant has unlawfully detained possession, as the case may be, and damages for withholding the same, or the damages to which said plaintiff may be entitled on account of the forcible entry and detainer of said premises,” etc. Sand. & H. Dig., secs. 3458, 3459, (part of same act) provides that * * * * in all cases where judgment is rendered either against the plaintiff or defendant, for any amount of recovery, judgment shall also be rendered against his sureties in the bond given under the provisions of this act.” The condition of the bond required by statute of the defendant to retain possession of the property, as prescribed by act of February 5, 1891, is that, if the plaintiff recover in the action, he will deliver possession of the premises to the plaintiff, and satisfy any judgment the court may -render against him in the action. (Sand. & H. Dig., sec. 3452). This can mean only that, besides delivering* possession of the premises, the defendant will pay any damages that may be assessed against him, and these may include rents that were due and unpaid at the time of the commencement of the suit, and up to the time of rendering judgment, or the value of the use and occupation, or of the rents and profits thereof, during the time the defendant has unlawfully detained possession, as the case may be, and damages for withholding the same, or the damages to which the plaintiff may be entitled on account of the forcible entry and detainer of said possession, as provided by section 3458, Sand. & H. Dig. The condition of the bond given in this case by the defendant to retain possession of the property is : “Now, if the said H. C. Billingsly shall deliver to the plaintiff the possession of the premises aforesaid, together with the costs and damages awarded to the plaintiff, if so decreed by the court, then this bond shall be void ; otherwise to be and remain in full force and effect. It is a mere play upon words to say that these bonds do not mean the same thing, though differing in phraseology. They both mean that the defendant, if judgment be rendered against him, shall pay the amount of the judgment, all the damages by reason of the defendant’s failure to pay rents, as well before the institution of the suit as after, down to the rendition of the judgment; for they are all damages. “Damage. — A pecuniary compensation or indemnity, which may be recovered in the courts by any person who has suffered loss, detriment, or injury, whether to his person, property, or rights, through the unlawful act or omission or negligence of another.” Black, Daw Dictionary, p. 316, tit. “Damage.” The counsel for appellants maintain that there is a distinction made by the statute between a recovery for rent and a recovery for damages; one bein'g for the unlawful withholding, and the other for rent due by contract. Yet it is plain that they are only damages arising from different wrongs suffered; that is, from the withholding of the premises after demand, and from withholding rents to the time of commencement of the suit. Though arising from different wrongs, they are nevertheless damages, and are unquestionably recoverable in the same action. A bond to “deliver to the plaintiff possession of the premises with the costs and damages awarded to the plaintiff, if so decreed by the court,” certainly, by fair and reasonable construction, provides for the payment of all damages of whatever kind, or from whatever cause accruing, that may be awarded by the court. “It is so nominated in the bond.” The bond given in this case conforms to the requirement of the act of March 2, 1875, as amended by act December 13, 1875, and differs from the one required by act of February 5, 1891, in phraseology, but not in legal effect. The parties who executed this bond are presumed to have known that the law provided that, if judgment were rendered for any amount against the defendant in the action, judgment should be rendered for the same amount against the sureties on the bond; and that judgment might be rendered in the action for rents past due when the suit was brought, as well as for damages for the unlawful withholding of the property after demand therefor made, and for other damages sustained by the plaintiff by reason of said unlawful withholding of the possession of the premises. The act of 1891 amended the law as it existed before then, so as to allow the recovery of damages for failure by the defendant to' pay. back rents that accrued prior to the demand for possession. We are of the opinion that the bond in this case was a substantial compliance with the requirement of the act of 5th February, 1891 (sec. 3452, Sand. & H. Dig.); and that it was proper in this action to give judgments for back rents, and to render judgment for the same against the sureties on the bond, if the pleadings and proof in the case warranted. All questions as to the evidence and instructions having been waived by the failure of the appellants to file a motion for new trial in time to have it made a part of the record in this case, there is nothing more left for determination. The error of entering judgment for a sum greater than the amount named in the- bond of the appellants was cured by a remittitur of the excess. The judgment is affirmed.