Cobb's Adm'r v. Wolf

JUDGE PAYNTEB delivered the opinion op the court. This action is upon a note executed by the appellee to William Cobb, now deceased, for premiums on a policy of life insurance in the New York Life Insurance Company, he then being the agent of the company. As a defense to the note, it is claimed that the appellee held a policy on his life for five thousand dollars in the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, upon which he had paid one premium. To induce him to surrender that policy, the decedent agreed to deliver to Mm a policy in the New York Life Insurance Com-, pany exactly like the policy which he then held in the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York; and, further, to prevent any loss in consequence of the premiums paid to that company, appellee was to be released from certain payments of premiums. The decedent did deliver to appellee a policy in the New York Life Insurance Company, but it is claimed that it was accepted on condition that it was to be like the policy which he held in the other company named, and if it proved not 1o be on examination, it was to be returned to Mm. It was tendered back to the decedent as well as to the company, but both refused to receive it. It is claimed in many material respects it is unlike the policy which appellee held in the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, [420] the pleadings filed by appellee pointing ont particularly wherein the policies differed. The policy which appellee held in the Mutual Life Company, as well as the one in the New York Life, were in evidence before the jury. On the trial of the case the jury found a verdict for appellee. A number of errors are claimed to have been committed on the trial of the case. It was an error for the court to admit the testimony of H. F. Duncan in relation to certain differences existing between the policy which appellee held in the Mutual Life and the policy in the New York Life which was delivered to appellee. The witness did not testify that he was an expert in such matters, nor to any facts which would enable the court to determine as to his competency to testify in relation to such matters. His testimony was prejudicial to appellant. For this error the case should be reversed.. It is very questionable if the proof was sufficient to authorize the jury in finding a verdict for appellee, because of the meagerness of the evidence touching the contract growing out of which the note was executed, but as the case goes back for a new trial for the reason given above, it is unnecessary to pass upon this question. There is another question which is important to be determined. Is A. Wolf competent to testify as to such facts as are known to him in relation to the contract? It is admitted that he was the agent of apjjellee in making the contract with the decedent. The court below ruled that as he was such agent, and William Cobb being dead, he was not competent [421] to testify as to any conversation lie may liave bad witb tbe decedent, William Cobb, or as to any conversation wbicli Cobb may have bad in bis presence in regard to tbe contract or note at such times as be, tbe witness, A. Wolf, was agent or acting for appellee. . It was an error in the court to so rnle. Tbe court evidently proceeded upon tbe idea that while tbe witness was acting as the agent of appellee, be occupied tbe position witb reference to testifying as though be were a principal, thus not being competent to testify concerning any verbal statement of, or any transaction with, or any act done by, decedent. Under section 606, Civil Code of Practice, tbe appellee could not so testify, but there is nothing in tbe section, or in any of tbe subsections, wbicli prevented tbe admission of tbe testimony of his agent. It is competent for a.n agent who acts for a party in a transaction witb one afterwards dying to testify for bis principal concerning any verbal statement of, or any transaction witb, or any act done by, tbe decedent. There is no reason why there should be such rule as would preclude him from doing so. Tbe agent has no pecuniary interest in tbe result of tbe litigation. He incurs no financial loss nor gains any material benefit by tbe result. Tbe purpose of tbe law was to protect tbe estates of dead men by not allowing tbe one who is to profit by tbe litigation, to testify concerning any verbal state ments of, or any act done by, tbe decedent, nor as to any transaction witb him. Tbe wisdom Of this provision is evident. Were it otherwise, tbe estates of dead men would become a prey to the rapacity of perjurers. Tbe agent being free from tbe motive of [422] profit wliicli Ms principal possesses lias not been declared incompetent as a witness as to the acts, etc., of a decedent. Judgment reversed, with instructions that a new trial be granted appellant, and for further proceedings consistent with this opinion!