Royal Manufacturing Co. v. Garfield Sanitary Felt Co.

Mr. Presiding Justice Matchett delivered the opinión of the court. Plaintiff below is the plaintiff in error here. In a suit for goods sold and delivered there was an affidavit of merits, trial by jury and verdict for plaintiff. Defendant made a motion for a new trial, which was withdrawn, and it then moved for judgment non obstante veredicto, which was granted. It is conceded this was error, for the reason that the motion could not be appropriately made in behalf of a defendant, and that the judgment must be reversed for that reason. Tribune Co. v. Dunlap Mfg. Co., 201 Ill. App. 408. The plaintiff says, however, that judgment should be entered in this court on the verdict, while defendant urges that the cause should be remanded in order that the motion for a new trial may be renewed. We hold the cause must be remanded for the reasons stated in Stein v. Chicago & Grand Trunk Ry. Co., 41 Ill. App. 38, and Teehan v. Union Bridge Co., 84 Ill. App. 532. Plaintiff says the opinions in these cases purport to follow Quick v. Indianapolis & St. L. Ry. Co., 130 Ill. 334, and that no motion for judgment non obstante veredicto was involved in that case. This is true, but the question there as to the entry of judgment on the special findings of a jury was analogous. Plaintiff cites Mahoney v. St. Paul City Ry. Co., 140 Minn. 516; Pine Tree Lumber Co. v. City of Fargo, 12 N. D. 360; Henry v. Heilman Bros., 114 Pa. St. 499. The Minnesota and Dakota cases were apparently decided under provisions of the Codes of Practice in those States. Cruikshank v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 75 Minn. 266. An examination of the Pennsylvania case indicates that in that jurisdiction, unlike ours, the motion for a verdict non obstante veredicto may properly be made in behalf of a defendant. The practice in the States is divergent. Illinois adheres to that of the common law, which is, we think, consistent and logical. The judgment is reversed and the cause remanded* with directions to entertain a motion for a new trial if one shall be made; otherwise, to enter judgment on the verdict. Reversed cmd remanded with directions. McSurely and Johnston, JJ., concur.