Brandon v. Leeds State Bank

SAYRE, J. — To appellee’s suit on a promissory note defendant Brandon entered a mere general denial, which, however, did not amount to the general issue, for the execution of the note was not specifically denied. Defendants Spruell and Pledger demurred, and at the same time demanded a trial by jury. The judgment which followed recites that defendants, being called, came not, but made default. This is the appropriate recital of a judgment by default; but the judgment rendered was not a technical judgment by default for two reasons : (1) Defendants had appeared and pleaded. (2) The further recital is that the court proceeded to hear and determine the cause, meaning, we take it, that the court proceeded to a determination of the cause upon the evidence offered by plaintiff. However, the practical effect was that of a proper judgment by default.—McCollom v. Hogan, 1 Ala. 515; Hutchison v. Powell, 92 Ala. 619, 9 South. 170. In the case of Ex parte Haynes, 140 Ala. 196, 37 South. 286, there is a dictum to the effect that a judgment by default, after demurrer or plea interposed, is reversible error. That may have- been a correct statement of the law of the case shown by the record there, for there, for aught appearing, the judgment may have been in strictness a judgment by default. The second recital of the judgmnt in the case before us, and our conclusion as to its meaning and effect, stated above, will suffice to differentiate the case here. It would have been better practice to dispose of the demurrer by a formal order; but, in view of the fact that [521] unquestionably the complaint stated a cause of action, the failure of defendants, or some of them, to appear and insist upon their demurrer, will be treated on appeal as a waiver.—American Mortgage Co. v. Inzer, 98 Ala. 608, 13 South. 507. Two of the defendants demanded a trial by jury, and that would have been their right in the case of a cause of action of such nature as to render a writ of inquiry necessary after a judgment by default. But the suit was upon an instrument of writing which ascertained the plaintiff’s demand, and its execution was not denied. In this state of the record the case falls within the principle, if not the strict letter, of the statute, section 5356 of the Code, and there was no occasion for the intervention of a jury.—Home Protection Co. v. Caldwell, 85 Ala. 607, 5 South. 338; Burns v. Howard, 68 Ala. 352; McGowin v. Dickson, 182 Ala. 161, 62 South. 685. The judgment of the trial court might be sustained on other grounds; but we have said enough. We find no reversible error, and the judgment will be affirmed. Affirmed. Anderson, C. J., and McClellan and de Graffenrxed, JJ., concur.