Heady v. Fishburn

Lake, Ch. J. One of the errors assigned in this case is that the facts set forth in the petition do not constitute a cause of action; and another is that the plaintiff in the court below has not the legal capacity to bring the suit. Neither of these objections were urged in the argument of counsel, and therefore we supposed they were abandoned. However this may be, an inspection of the record has failed to disclose any ground for either of them. The [265] words alleged to have been spoken are very clearly actionable; and if there existed any fact which disqualified the •defendant in error to bring suit, it is not contained in the record of the case. Several objections were urged to the refusal of the court to give certain instructions to the jury as requested by •counsel for the plaintiff in error, and also to several which were given at the request of the defendant in error; but neither of the questions thus presented can be here considered, for the reason that none of the exceptions to the ruling of the court were reduced to writing at the same term at which the trial took place. The case was tried and verdict given at the April term, whereupon a motion was filed for a new trial, which was continued and heard at the next October term of the court, at which time the exceptions appear to have been prepared and filed. This delay is not authorized by statute. “ Time may be given to reduce the exception to writing, but not beyond the term,.” General Statutes, section (301), 577. Monroe v. Elbert, 1 Neb., 174. The only exception which we can consider is that interposed to -the refusal of the court to award a new trial •on the ground of newly discovered evidence. The affidavits in support of this branch of the motion for a new trial, set forth among other things, that some of the witnesses for the defendant in error have said that they were mistaken in their testimony given on the trial, .as to the time of the speaking- of the slanderous words by the plaintiff in error, that it was after the action was brought and not before, as they had testified. This certainly furnishes no ground for disturbing the verdict. What is the showing upon which the court was called to act? Not the sworn statement of the witnesses themselves, as to what they would testify if again placed upon the witness stand, but those of the plaintiff in error, and his son, to the effect that they were informed they would [266] now swear that the slanderous words were spoken a few days after, instead of before the commencement of the suit. It is not even pretended that these witnesses were mistaken as to the fact that the slanderous words were uttered, but simply that they gave the time incorrectly by a very few days. I fail to see how this could at all aid the plaintiff in error, for even if the time had been stated erroneously in the petition, the court would have permitted an amendment, if necessary, in order that justice might be done to all parties. Other testimony alleged to be newly discovered, is that of certain persons residing in Fremont county, Iowa, and in Gage county, Nebraska, whose residence, it is said were unknown to the plaintiff in error until after the trial. But even if what he says he could prove by these witnesses were regarded as newly discovered evidence, it does not appear that he put forth any effort whatever to learn their whereabouts, or that he could not by the exercise of reasonable diligence on his part, have obtained their testimony in time for the trial. The code provides that the verdict may be set aside, and a new trial granted on the ground of “ newkj discovered evidence, material for the party applying, which he could not with reasonable diligence have discovered, and produced at the trial.” General Statutes, Section (307,) 577. But in order to entitle a party to a new trial for this reason, he must set forth in his affidavit what particular efforts he made, as tending to establish due diligence on his part. It is not enough for him to say that he was unable to procure the testimony, for his ability or inability to obtain it, is a question of fact for the court to determine from the proofs submitted in support of the motion. I am of opinion that the showing in support of this motion was altogether insufficient to justify a c'ourt in [267] awarding a new trial, and that there is no good reason shown in the record for a reversal of the judgment. Judgment aeeikmed. Mr. Justice Maxwell concurs.