Richmond & Danville Railroad v. White & Co. , 88 Ga. 805 ( 1892 )

Bleckley, Chief Justice.

1. It may be couceded that the weight of authority elsewhere is to the effect that the degree of diligence due from a common carrier in guarding goods against injury by the act of God is not extraordinary but only ordinary. Hutch. on Car. (2d. ed.) §§201, 202; Schouler on Bail. & Car. (2d ed.) §§436, 437. But for us the question is settled by statute. The code, section 2066, reads as follows: “One who pursues the business constantly or continuously for any period of time, or any distance of transpoi'tation, is a common carrier, and as such, is bound to use extraordinary diligence. In cases of loss the presumption of law is against him, and no excuse avails him unless it was occasioned by the act of God or the public enemies of the State.” A correct interpretation of this language requires us to hold that no degree of diligence whatever will excuse a common carrier of goods if the loss happens by anything except the act of God or the public enemies of the State. This being so, it is only when the loss is alleged to have been occasioned by one of these causes that the diligence of the carrier has to be tested. It follows, that if the rale of extraordinary diligence here prescribed by statute is not applicable in such cases, it could never be applied at all.

It may also be conceded that by the weight of authority elsewhere, as soon as the carrier proves that the loss happened from the immediate agency of the act of God, a presumption arises that he, the carrier, was duly diligent; and consequently, that the burden of proof is at once shifted to the opposite party. Hutch. on Car., supra, §§202a, 766, 767; Schouler on Bail. & Car., supra, §439. The code, however, in the section just quoted, says that in case of loss the presumption of law is against the carrier, and this affirmation occurs immediately after the duty of extraordinary diligence is enunciated. What, then, is the content of the presumption referred to ? Obviously that the carrier has not been duly diligent, and that the loss in whole or in part is attributable to his negligence. This presumption is not met or removed by showing merely that the act of God was the ultimate occasion of the loss; that is, that it was the final and chief factor from which the loss resulted. To silence the presumption altogether, it is necessary to go further and show that the act of God was the sole cause, and that the loss happened in spite of the use of due diligence'by the carrier to prevent it. This, at least, must be the general rule, and the one applicable to every case in which the circumstances attending the calamity are such as to suggest the probability that the loss might have been avoided had extraordinary diligence been exercised. The present case is one of this character. While the evidence does not show -positively that the use of such diligence would have been effectual, it does show indubitably that the occasion was one which called for some diligence and afforded time and opportunity for exercising it, and that previous to actual trial there was a fair degree of probability of saving the goods from damage by the freshet. Other persons in the same city who had goods similarly exposed protected them, in whole or in part, by elevating them sufficiently high to prevent the water from reaching them. It was manifestly incumbent upon the carrier to protect these goods in the same way, or by some other means, if it could be done by the exercise of extraordinary diligence. The burdeu of showing that this duty was recognized and its performance attempted, and what acts were done in prosecuting the attempt, rested, we think, under the provisions of our code, upon the carrier. We think, moreover, that this is where the burden ought to rest, for in its nature the defence of loss by the act of God involves a due accounting by the carrier for his own diligence, so as to make it appear that the loss was occasioned by the act of God solely, unmixed with contributory negligence on the part of the carrier. Doubtless where the carrier is in no previous default, and the providential act is so sudden and of such a nature as to leave no interval of time within which preventive measures against its effects could bo taken, the mere proof of the act alone, and of the consequent loss, would establish the defence. This would be reasonable. But where the circumstances make a plain case,for the exercise of some diligence, and time for its exercise intervenes after the peril has become apparent, the burden of showing that the requisite diligence was actually exercised ought to rest upon the carrier. The inquiry relates to his conduct, and he, his servants or agents, must know what that conduct was, and they of all persons have the best means, and not infrequently-the only means, of proving it. It seems reasonable to hold the carrier to the rule of extraordinary diligence, both to avoid needlessly exposing the goods to injury or destruction by an unforeseen act of God, and to the use of measures for the protection and preservation of the goods after the peril has become apparent. And whenever any question as to his diligence is fairly involved in the facts and circumstances of the case, it is equally reasonable that he should be required to make his diligence manifest rather than that his adversary should bear the burden ot successfully attacking it in the first instance by such evidence as may chance to be in his power. Indeed, the code applies the presumption of default after proof of loss, not only to common carriers, but to all bailees, section 2064 declaring that “ In all cases of bailments after proof of loss, the burden of proof is on the bailee to show proper diligence.” The word “ loss ” in this section has been construed to mean injury or damage to the goods as well as their destruction or disappearance. Hawkins v. Haynes, 71 Ga. 40. There can be no question that the word has a like meaning in section 2066, as applied to common carriers. -Perhaps no case heretofore decided by this court is directly in point as an authority decisive of the.present, either upon the measure of diligence or the burden of proof; but the construction of the code upon both of these elements which we have arrived at harmonizes with the trend of judicial thought as indicated in several cases which the court has dealt with: Berry v. Cooper, 28 Ga. 543; Wallace v. Clayton, 42 Ga. 443; Central Line of Boats v. Lowe, 50 Ga. 509; Richmond & D. R. R. Co. v. Benson & Co., 86 Ga. 203. It may be said, too, that from the cases holding that the burden of proof as to diligence is upon the cai’rier where the loss happens from an excepted risk (that is, a risk expressly excepted by contract), the inference is a necessary one that a like burden rests upon him when he seeks to avail himself of the defence that the loss was occasioned by the act of God. One of the eases of exception by contract, namely, Columbus & Western Ry. Co. v. Kennedy, 78 Ga. 646, follows (without citing it) Berry v. Cooper, supra. In tlie body of the opinion, however, and in the 3d head-note, the rule of diligence is put too low, being that prescribed in section 3033 of the code, which is applicable to injuries committed by railroad companies generally, instead of to injuries to goods which these companies have in their possession- as common carriers. The proper reference to the code would have been to section 2066, which exacts extraordinary, and not merely ordinary, diligence.

2. It came out in evidence that a part of the goods embraced in this action, and which were injured by the flood, arrived at the company’s warehouse in time to have been received by the consignee and removed before the freshet occurred, and that there was not only an omission to give the usual notice of arrival customary in the business, but probably that these goods, or some of them, were detained by the carrier after they had been applied for by a drayman in behalf of the consignee. So far as these packages of goods were concerned, the carrier failed in diligence, and thus needlessly exposed the goods to loss before it was known or could be known that they would be put in peril by the particular act of God which subsequently affected them to the owner’s damage. It is contended that this failure in diligence did not cast the risk upon the carrier, but that the goods remained at the risk of the owner; and when injured by the freshet, if this occurred without any other failure in diligence on the part of the carrier, the earner would be excused. We think otherwise. Had there been no usage as t-o giving notice of arrival, the failure to give it could not have been imputed to the carrier as negligence at all: his relation to the goods in store would have been changed from that of a common carrier to that of a mere warehouseman. Southwestern Ry. Co. v. Felder, 46 Ga. 433; Code, §2070. But this carrier, as well as most others of like kind in the city, liad a general' and uniform custom or usage of giving notice to consignees within a short time after the arrival of consignments. Not to comply with this custom or usage was to fall short of that measure of diligence which consignees would have a right to expect. Furthermore, in this case there was evidence tending to show that the goods were probably applied for, and no reason appears why those in store were not delivered. Prima facie, their detention was wrongful; and if so, they were thenceforth at the risk of the carrier, so long, at least, as their arrival was unknown to the consignee. This, we think, is the sounder and better view- of the law of this disputed question. Indeed the principle, so far as liability turns on wrongful detention after demand, is ruled by the case in. 86 Ga. above cited, Richmond & D. R. R. Co. v Benson & Co. And when failure to give notice in compliance with usage is the real cause why the goods were needlessly exposed to the hazards of a freshet which subsequently injured them, there would seem to be as much reason for charging the carrier with the consequences as if the exposure had resulted from wrongful detention after demand. In cases whore it is not highly probable that notice, if given, would have resulted in withdrawing the goods from the carrier before the freshet occurred, the mere failure to give notice might not deprive the carrier of his defence. But in the present ease, if there was an application for the goods by the drayman, this rendered it reasonably certain that the goods would have been withdrawn if notice had not been omitted; for if the drayman could have supported his application by the production of a notice, he would doubtless have been attended to. It should be added that the evidence of an application by the drayman is not express, but only within the range of inference. It may be that,' according to the course of business, the mere presence of the drayman together ■with his dray at the depot might be considered by those who understood the meaning of his presence as equivalent to an express application. IIow this may be is more or less uncertain as the evidence now stands.

3. Touching the burden of proof as to what particular packages of goods arrived before the freshet occurred and which could have been delivered to the consignee if the due course of business had been observed, we think after it was shown by dates of shipment that all the packages, or- such and such of them, might have arrived, the burden of showing what packages, if any, did not arrive within time to have been delivered before the disaster, was upon the carrier; and then the burden would be cast upon the consignee to show the damage done to the residue and the amount thereof, in order to recover on the ground alone of negligence in not giving notice of arrival, or iu not delivering on application. The means of supplying the dates of arrival are with the carrier.

4. The evidence indicates that some of the goods were not unduly delayed on the way, and yet did not arrive until it was too late to give the usual notice before the freshet occurred. As to these tlie carrier was bound to the exercise of extraordinary diligence in protecting them from damage by the flood whilst they were in his cars or his warehouse. But if they were damaged in spite of such diligence, he would bo excused. As there is to be another trial, we forbear to express any opinion as to whether the evidence made out a case of due diligence or not. It certainly showed considerable diligence, and tended to explain why more was not practicable or deemed necessary beforehaud.

5. The measure of extraordinary diligence is “that extreme care and caution which very prudent and thoughtful persons use in securing and preserving their own property.” Code, §2062. The acts and facts constitutingthis diligence, under all the. circumstances of the case, are always for determination by a jury. Thus being so, it. was error to charge, as set out in the 6th ground of the motion fora new trial, that “if the jury find that the loss was in any respect duo to the crowded condition of the depot, or to the want of sufficient hands, the railroad is liable."’ The emergency was an extraordinary one, and what preparations to meet it were reasonably necessary, whether with respect to the condition of the depot or the number of hands ready and available, were matters of fact for consideration by the jury. It is obvious that the actual preparations might or might not be consistent with the exercise of due diligence. The crowded condition of the depot and the want, of sufficient hands might have contributed to the loss without either being the result of any negligence on the part of the company. The court trenched on the province of the jury in this part of the instruction.

6. It was also error to instruct, as set. out in theT)tit ground of the motion, that “ if the jury find there were no efforts made whatever to save the plaintiff's goods, and if proper efforts had been made the goods would have been saved, the-plaintiff would be entitled to recover the value of such goods as could have been saved.” The facts of the case furnish no basis for this instruction. Most, of the plaintiff's goods were unloaded and in the depot. The nneontradicted evidence is that some efforts were made to save the goods in the depot. On this branch of the (¡ase the controversy was not as to the omission of all measures for saving the goods, but as to the incompleteness and insufficiency of those which were employed. The question for the jury was, whether the company did as much as it could or ought to have done under the rule of diligence to which it was subject and under alL the circumstances which surrounded it. No hypothesis which lies beyond the range of all the evidence should be given in charge to the jury. Mischief often results from a disregard of this rule, inasmuch as the jury will naturally conclude that the judge sees in the evidence some ground for any and every hypothesis which he submits to them for consideration. The court could not rightly suggest to the jury either that the efforts made by the company amounted to nothing, or that there ought to have been more done than was done. As to some of plaintiff’s goods, the evidence does indicate that nothing was done to save them ; but the charge extends hypothetically to the whole of them, and it was not for the court to say that it was negligence per sc for the company not to attempt to save more of the goods than it did attempt to save. The company’s duty in this respect would depend upon circumstances to be considered by the jury. It might be that in view of the cpiantity of goods involved'in the disaster, it was discreet and proper for the company, with the means at its command, to. confine its active diligence to some of the goods, and leave the rest to their fate. The jury, and not the court, should deal with all the particulars and details of the company’s conduct on the occasion, both as to what ought to have been done, and what was done. Did the company exercise that extreme care and caution which very prudent and thoughtful persons would use in securing and preserving their -own property, under like conditions and circumstances ?

7. "We agree with the trial court that the precautions for the protection of the property which would have been available against any previous flood of which the company had knowledge, would not necessarily fill the measure of extraordinary diligence. This flood was in the year 1888, and there,'had been a higher one in the .year 1840. History or tradition might have made it ineumbent on the company to have some knowledge or information as to that instance of high Avater. Many persons still living Avould be likely to knoAv of it; and it might or' might not be just to treat, as against the .railroad company, its means of knoAvledge as equivalent to actual notice. The jury Avould be apt to deal rightly Avith such a question.

The court erred in not granting a ugav trial on the 5th and 6th grounds of the motion, the points discussed in the 5th and 6th divisions of this opinion.

Judgment reversed.