Moore v. Kendall

Hubbell, J. If this case were to be decided on the weight of evidence as shown by the bill of exceptions, the judgment of the district court might be affirmed. But this court does not sit in the capacity of a jury. The only error assigned related to the charge of the judge. The action was brought to recover a quantity of merchandise, which had been levied upon by the defendant in error [102] as sheriff of Grant county, under executions in his hands, against the property of Janies Moore. The plaintiff in error claimed as a purchaser from James Moore. On the trial, James Moore and John Stone were called as witnesses by the plaintiff, to prove a sale and transfer of the property from James Moore to Jonathan B. Moore., the plaintiff in error. Both the fact and the time of the sale became material questions. There was some contradiction or discrepancy between the two witnesses, Stone and Moore, on these points. The sale, if made at all, appears to have been made either on the first day of November, 1847, which was Sunday, or between the first and seventh of November. The executions were put into the sheriff’s hands on the second, and an actual levy was effected on the tenth ; but an effort was made to effect a levy on the sixth, which was resisted, but which must be regarded as having fixed the sheriff’s lien on the goods. The court instructed the jury as follows: 1st. “That it would be reasonable and proper in the jury to reconcile slight discrepancies in the testimony of the plaintiff’s witnesses, but if there were contradictions on material points or facts, equally within their knowledge, that is to say, James Moore and John Stone, the plaintiff’s witnesses, it certainly was not the duty of the jury to reconcile such contradictions ; it was the plaintiff’s misfortune to have brought on the stand, witnesses contradicting each other thus, on material facts equally within the knowledge of each ; and the weight of their testimony would be materially weakened, if not almost entirely déstroyed.” The errors assigned on the second branch of the charge were abandoned ; and the third was as follows : “That if the said sale, by the plaintiff to his brother, James Moore, was made on Sunday, then said sale and transfer, made on that day, was absolutely void, and the purchaser, Jonathan B. Moore, acquired no right or title to the property in dispute.” [103] To these instructions exceptions were properly taken, and the question for this court is, whether such instructions were correct. In regard to the matter of discrepancy, I think the court erred. There was clearly a question of fact for the jury (12 Serg. & R. 283 ; 5 Wend. 301) ; and the effect of the charge was to cut off inquiry on the subject; Whether the discrepancies were material or slight, could make no difference that I can understand ; and hr either case, it should have been loft to the jury to try and reconcile them. If, upon a full and fair attempt, they failed, still it would not follow as an inference of law that the testimony of the one was to neutralize that of the other. Conflicting witnesses are not necessarily to be regarded as opposing powers of equal momentum, which are to be measured by mechanical rules. The court should have told the jury that, failing to reconcile their statement, “ on material points, equally within the knowledge of each ” it became their duty to inquire whether each of the witnesses was equally credible; whether the statements were equally consistent; whether, from their character, appearance, and relations to the parties, or from any other circumstances connected with their testimony, more reliance ought to be placed upon the one than the other. Yery possibly one of them was unworthy of credit; at any rate, it has been urged on the argument by counsel for the defendant in error, that one of them was absolutely perjured — and if so, certainly bis statements ought not to have been sufficient to defeat those of the other. Looking at the bill of exceptions, I am inclined to think the charge of perjury is not sustained; but that most of the discrepancy arose, not from statements of fact, but from one of them having sworn to a conclusion of law. And in this view of the case I think their statements might have been reconciled. At all events, it could not happen until the jury should find, in view of all the circumstances I have mentioned, that the weight of evidence was [104] equally balanced, that the court could properly say to them as a matter of. law, “ that it was the plaintiff’s misfortune to have brought to the stand witnesses contradicting each other,” and that “ the weight of their testimony was greatly weakened, if not almost entirely destroyed.”^ With respect to the other branch of the instructions, it seems to me the court below was equally in error. Admitting the sale of the goods to have been made on Sunday, it by no means follows that it was void for all purposes. There was an actual transfer of property from James Moore to his brother, the plaintiff in error ; and it was not possible thereafter for James Moore or his assigns to recover it back. Between the parties, it was an executed contract; and, unless' the defendant in error could show some claim superior to that of James Moore, the vendor, he could not disturb the possession of the vendee. On this point the authorities are conclusive. 11 Mass. 369; 13 Eng. Com. L. 351; 9 id. 193. This case must not be confounded with others. The defendants in error do not claim against James Moore as an insolvent debtor, with respect to the transfer in question. They do not raise the question of a fraudulent sale. They stand upon the naked right arising from a void sale ; a sale void, simply because it was made on Sunday. For the purposes of this question James Moore may be assumed to be a man of ample means and of honest purposes. The point before us is simply this : whether any man, under any circumstances, can make a valid transfer of property on Sunday. If he cannot, the instructions were right; if he can, they were wrong. I thirds it would be carrying the rule of law further than the policy of the statue requires, and further than the current of decisions on this subject warrants, to deny that such a transfer, when actually completed, without fraud, should stand between the parties. After such a transfer, notwithstanding the supposed or real violation of the statute, the [105] vendee may claim the protection of that well-settled principle of law, “ In pari delicto potior est conditio defendentis.” It is not without regret that I am drawn to these conclusions with respect to the instructions of the learned and able judge of the court below. With my impressions of the merits of the case, as presented in the testimony, I could wish the jury had been left free to pass upon the main questions, which seem to me to be, whether there was an actual side of the goods before the levy ; and if there was, whether such sale was fraudulent as to the creditors ? I do not mean by these remarks to prejudice the case ; but inasmuch as the jury may have been improperly controlled by the charge of the judge, there must be a new trial. Judgment reversed, with costs.