Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

10 Jones & S. 207

Ibbotson v. King

The Superior Court of New York City · decided 1877-03-05

The action was brought against the defendant as maker of a promissory note for $360, signed Martin & Co. The defendant denied that he was ever a partner of the firm of Martin & Co., and also pleaded usury. At the trial, which took place May 5, 1876, testimony was given on both sides, and plaintiff had a verdict, upon which judgment was entered.

Decided 1877-03-05

By the Court.—Freedman, J.

¶1Section 264 of the Code provides that a motion for a new trial, if heard ' upon the minutes, can only be heard at the same term or circuit at which the trial is had. The motion, therefore, was made too late. It should have been made on h case.

¶2But even if it had been regularly made, either in - time on the minutes, or subsequently on a case, it *213might well, and indeed within the principles laid down in Rowe v. Stevens (N. Y. Superior Ct. 436), it should have been denied. It stated no ground upon which it was made, and, as matter of fact, no motion had been made for a nonsuit or the direction of a verdict, nor had any exception been taken to the charge of the court, under which all the issues appear to have been fully and fairly submitted to the jury.

¶3Under these circumstances I do not feel called upon to examine the entire testimony with the view of testing the correctness of the finding of the jury.

¶4The question was properly allowed. As the defendant claimed that the note had been usuriously discounted, it was competent and material for plaintiff to show, by way of rebuttal, what the real arrangement was; and as the whole arrangement had been "made by an agent of defendant’s firm, plaintiff had a right to show under what circumstances the money was handed over to, and accepted by such agent.

¶5The judgment and order appealed from should be severally affirmed with costs.

¶6Sanford, J., concurred.

/10/joness/207 · .json · Public domain