Bolton v. Amsler

FITZGERALD, J. The rule governing tender requires the actual production of the money. Strong v. Blake, 46 Barb. 227; Bakeman v. Pooler, 15 Wend. 637; Lewis v. Mott, 36 N. Y. 395. “It should.be placed within the power of the party to whom it is made, so that he can reduce it to possession by merely reaching out and laying hold of the money.” Am. & Eng. Ency. of Law (3d Ed.) vol. 38, p. 38. It is not enough that the party has the money in his pocket, and says to the creditor that he has it ready for him, and asks him to take it, without showing the money. Bakeman v. Pooler, supra. There are, of course, many cases holding that the general rule may be waived; but waiver must be shown by some positive act or declaration upon the part of the creditor. The evidence disclosed here fails to bring this case within the waiver, and the doctrine of the general rule must be applied. Moreover, the issue raised as to the dual capacity which it is claimed the plaintiff occupied as between vendor and vendee warranted the question addressed to the latter on page 33 of the testimony: “What did you agree to pay Mr. Bolton [plaintiff] if he would get you the lease?” The ruling sustaining plaintiff’s objection (which was a general one) was erroneous. It may be that the form of the question was not proper, but this could have been readily remedied by calling the attention of the court thereto at the time. Its materiality and competency are obvious. “Any contract, the object or necessary tendency of which is to place one owing duties to third persons in a position where he is under obligations to two parties having antagonistic interests, [482] is void, even though in fact it have no bad effect.” Greenhood on Public Policy, p. 292. Judgment reversed, and new trial ordered, with costs to the appellant to abide the event.