Mann v. Darden

ANDERSON, J. The record in this case, as certified by the clerk, shows that the term of court at which this case was tried was presided over by Hon. H. P. Merritt, “special judge duly and legally appointed to hold this the spring term, 1910.” Section 160 of the Constitution of 1901 authorizes the Legislature to make provision for the appointment of special judges in certain instances and the statute (sections 3267, 3268) makes provision for the appointment of said judges by the Governor. We will therefore presume, in the absence of an appropriate plea and proof to the contrary, that the said Merritt was regularly and duly appointed and qualified when assuming the duties of special judge. — Roberts v. State, 126 Ala. 74, 28 South. 741, 30 South. 554. It is next insisted that the said Merritt, being at the time a state senator, was by section 280 of the Constitution prohibited from holding two offices of profit at the same time. Whether this section applies to a mere temporary appointment to hold a special term of the court, we need not decide, for, if it does, it Avould not invalidate his official acts as special judge, as the acceptance of the last office would only operate as a resignation or vacation of the former office. — 29 Cyc. 1382, and case cited in note 81. This suit seems to proceed upon the theory that the horse in question was procured from the plaintiff under the fraudulent conspiracy entered into between the defendants. There was no evidence, even of a prima facie [145] conspiracy, as to Darden, as the proof fails to show that he had anything to do with the trade, except to he consulted by the plaintiff, as to how the notes should be transferred, and what would be the result of the plaintiff’s accepting the price for the bridle. As to the other two defendants, there was proof from which it could be inferred that a conspiracy existed between Sellers and Phil Walker to practice a fraud and deception on the plaintiff, not by actual misrepresentations of the value of the notes traded, but by a bunco or gold brick scheme. In other words, that it was understood between them that, when the plaintiff and Sellers were negotiating, Phil .Walker was to come upon the scene and attempt to buy the Pitts note and state that old man Pitts was already in town desiring to pay it, that this fraud was practiced, and induced the plaintiff to close the trade, thinking that Walker would take the note for $245, or that it would be paid in a few minutes by the elder Pitts, and that Walker had no idea at the time of buying the note, and what he said as to old man Pitts was false. The proof also shows that the plaintiff upon discovering the fraud offered to return the notes and demanded the horse. The defendants’ proof contradicted the plaintiff’s evidence as to a conspiracy, and was believed by the jury, and their conclusion is not presented for review; the assignment of errors relating only to the ruling upon the evidence, except as to the jurisdiction. The plaintiff’s theory being that the Pitts note was practically worthless, and which fact was known to Sellers, that he practiced a fraud by having Walker come upon the scene and stimulate the plaintiff to close the trade by artifice and fraud, and the fact that Sellers got the note from Griffin for a small or no consideration, and whether or not it was worthless, were all [146] circumstances corroborative of the plaintiff’s theory of the case, and the trial court erred in not letting the plaintiff interrogate Sellers, upon cross-examination, as to these facts. .When an issue of fraud is being tried, great latitude should be allowed the party undertaking to establish the fraud in the production of the evidence, and this is especially true in the cross-examination of the person charged with the fraud.—Snodgrass v. Bank of Decatur, 25 Ala. 174, 60 Am. Dec. 505; Nelms v. Steiner, 113 Ala. 562, 22 South. 435. It is true that, upon a former appeal in this case (163 Ala. 297, 50 South. 1033) it was said that Darden was not entitled to the general charge. We have not examined the record on former appeal to ascertain whether or not the evidence, as to him, is the same as it is here; but, be that as it may, the evidence in the present record does not make out a prima facie conspiracy as to said Darden, and we are not to be influenced by the former holding in determining this question. Section 5965 of the Code of 1907. The judgment of the circuit court is reversed, and the cause is remanded. Reversed and remanded. Dowdell C. J., and Sayre, JJ., concur. McClellan, J., concurs only in the conclusion.