Slifer v. Williard

Batman, J. — Appellee instituted this action against appellant by filing a complaint in one paragraph to recover damages for an alleged slander. Subsequently an amended complaint in two paragraphs was filed. Demurrers to the original complaint, and to each para [90] graph of the amended complaint were overruled. An answer in general denial closed the issues. The cause was submitted to a jury for trial resulting in a verdict and judgment in favor of appellee. Appellant filed a motion for a new trial which was overruled, and is now prosecuting this appeal on an assignment of errors which requires a consideration of the questions hereinafter determined. 1,2. 3. Appellant asserts that the court erred in overruling his demurrer to the original complaint, but as that complaint was taken out of the record by the filing of the amended complaint, no question as to the correctness of such ruling is before us. Holland v. Hummell (1909), 43 Ind. App. 358, 87 N. E. 662. He also asserts that the court erred in overruling his demurrer for want of facts to the second paragraph of the amended complaint. The only reason assigned in support of such demurrer in the memorandum accompanying the same is, that it appears on the face of said paragraph that the cause of action stated therein accrued more than two years prior to the filing of the amended complaint and the commencement of said action. All other objections thereto are therefore waived. State, ex rel. v. Bartholomew (1911), 176 Ind. 182, 95 N. E. 417, Ann. Cas. 1914B 91. In determining whether this objection is well taken, we must confine our consideration to the paragraph in question, as other parts of the record can neither weaken nor strengthen it. National Lumber Co. v. Hobbs (1920), 74 Ind. App. 476, 129 N. E. 255. When said paragraph is so considered it does not disclose the fact upon which appellant relies. We therefore conclude that his contention with reference to the second paragraph of the amended complaint is not well taken. [91] 4. 5. [90] Appellant contends that the court erred in overruling his motion for a new trial. Appellee attempts to [91] meet this contention by asserting that appellant’s brief is not sufficient to present any question in that regard. While appellee’s criticisms are not without merit, still we are of the opinion that there is not such a failure to comply with the rules, except in a single instance hereinafter mentioned, as to require us to refuse to consider the questions which appellant has attempted to present. Appellant contends that the court erred in giving instructions numbered 4, 5 and 7. Instructions Nos. 4 and 7 are not set out in appellant’s brief, but an attempt was made to state their substance. While it is not absolutely necessary that an instruction to which objection is made should be set out verbatim, in order to have it considered on appeal, it is the better and safer practice to do so. United Coal Mining Co. v. Daugherty (1911), 51 Ind. App. 165, 96 N. E. 477. However since a substantial statement of the substance of such an instruction will suffice, we will resolve any doubt in that regard in appellant’s favor and consider the merits of his contention with reference to said instructions. The objection urged against each of said instructions is that the court thereby informed the jury that appellee could recover if she proved the allegations of either paragraph of her complaint, and as neither paragraph thereof stated a cause of action it was error to so instruct the jury. We do not question appellant’s contention that where a complaint does not state a cause of action it is error to instruct a jury that plaintiff may recover, if he has proved the allegations of such complaint. Prudential Ins. Co. v. Ritchey (1918), 188 Ind. 157, 119 N. E. 369, 484. However, appellant has failed to point out, and our examination has failed to disclose, wherein either paragraph of the complaint on which the cause was tried is insufficient. There was no error in giving either of said instructions. [92] 6. Instruction No. 5 relates to the measure of appellee’s damages, in the event the jury found in her favor. Since appellant has failed to present any question in his brief with reference to the amount of damages assessed, the error in giving said instruction, if any, is not cause for reversal. City of Terre Haute v. Lauda (1915), 58 Ind. App. 480, 108 N. E. 392; Sovereign Camp, etc., v. Latham (1915), 59 Ind. App. 290, 107 N. E. 749; Cleveland, etc., R. Co. v. Lutz, Admr. (1917), 64 Ind. App. 663, 116 N. E. 429; Union Traction Co. v. Smith, 70 Ind. App. 40, 123 N. E. 4. 7-9. Appellant claims that the court erred in admitting and refusing to admit certain evidence. No question, however, is presented with reference to the evidence which it is claimed was erroneously admitted, as appellant’s brief fails to disclose what, if any, objections were stated to the trial court, with reference to the admission of such evidence at the time it was offered. Shafer v. Ferguson (1885), 103 Ind. 90, 2 N. E. 302; Kaiger v. Brandenburg (1892), 4 Ind. App. 497, 31 N. E. 211. The evidence refused related to a question asked appellant on direct' examination, with reference to a conversation between himself and a certain witness, who testified on behalf of appellee, in which it is claimed such witness offered appellant money to testify for him in his divorce proceedings. This evidence was properly refused, as it pertained to matter wholly irrelevant to any issue involved in the cause on trial, and did not constitute matter in impeachment, as no proper foundation had been laid, for its admission as such. There was no reversible error in overruling appellant’s motion for a new trial. Certain errors assigned are not considered, as appellant has failed to direct any proposition or point to the same, and they are therefore deemed waived. Judgment affirmed.