Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance v. Barnes

The opinion of the court was delivered by Gar ver, J. : Upon the trial of this case, the sufficiency of the petition was challenged by an objection to the introduction of any evidence under it. So far as matei’ial for consideration at this time, the petition reads: ‘ ‘ The plaintiff states that the defendant is indebted to him in the sum of $251.50 for services performed by said plaintiff for and at the request of said defend [643] ant, and as attorney for said defendant; that said sum of $251.50 is due and unpaid; that the plaintiff is entitled to interest thereon from May 29, 1891, at 6 per cent. ; that an itemized account of the same is in the following words and figures and is made a part of this petition, to wit.” An itemized statement follows, setting out the services and the respective charges made therefor. In his brief, counsel for plaintiff in error states, as the ground of his objection, that ‘' The petition does not allege a contract expressed for the services of the plaintiff below, as attorney for the company; and does not allege that the services performed were of any value to the company or that it received any benefit from the services.” We do not think the petition is open to this objection. A petition in this form is not unknown, nor is it without recognition in the courts of this state. (Marley v. Smith, 4 Kan. 183; Parker v. Hays, 7 id. 412.) A very liberal construction will in every case be given to a pleading when the sufficiency of its allegations is challenged for the first time by an objection to the introduction of any evidence. under it. (Barkley v. The State, 15 Kan. 99.) Complaint is also made of various rulings of the court in the admission and in .the refusal of testimony. As counsel has not seen fit, in his brief, to point' out the objectionable testimony by a specific and definite reference to the record, as required by j;he rules of this court, we will not institute a general Search for their discovery for the purpose of giving them particular consideration. We have, however, examined all the evidence, and are clearly of the opinion that, under it, the court was warranted in the decision and judgment rendered. [644] There being no other errors assigned, the judgment will be affirmed. All the Judges concurring.