Michaels v. Adams Express Co.

The opinion of the court was delivered by Garrison, J. The declaration counted upon the nondelivery of a box of merchandise entrusted by the plaintiffs to- the defendant as a common carrier. The defendant pleaded specially that the goods of the plaintiffs had been accepted for carriage under a stipulation that the defendant should not be held liable for any loss occurring from fire in any of its stores or depots unless the fire occurred through its negligence. The plaintiffs’ replication to- this plea was a denial of the existence of the contract. At the trial the plaintiffs proved the shipping of the goods and their destruction by fire in a storehouse- of the defendant. The defendant’s testimony was to the same effect, with more of detail, and, in addition, it proved the contract set up- in its plea. From the testimony of neither party did any negligence on the part of the defendant appear, either affirmatively or inferentially. This being the state of the proofs, the trial court, at the conclusion of the case, directed a verdict for the defendant. This ruling wa-s clearly correct and disposed finally of the case. Mere non-delivery and proof of loss by fire did not make out the case of the plaintiffs, which, in view of the contract of carriage, must rest upon the negligence o-f the cai-rier with respect to the loss by fire. Such negligence not appearing in the testimony of either party, the defendant was entitled to a judgment for costs against the plaintiffs. The record contains a plea by which the defendant sets up that before the commencement of the plaintiff’s suit it tendered to- the plaintiffs the sum of $50, and that upon the refusal of the plaintiffs to receive the said $50 the same was paid into court. A replication admits the tender set up in this plea and renews the plaintiffs’ refusal to accept the sum so tendered. Ho issue upon this plea appearing on the transcript, the verdict that was directed by the trial court applies 43 solely to the issue joined upon the defendant’s other plea, by which the defendant denies all liability by force of the contract set forth in that plea. The situation referred to in Levan v. Sternfield, 26 Vroom 41, is therefore not presented in the present case. The right of the plaintiffs to take this $50 out of court is not raised by 'a rule to show cause why a new trial should not be granted. It is the subject of a practice motion. The verdict was properly- directed upon the issue that appeared upon the transcript. The plaintiffs’ rule is discharged, with costs.