Stewart v. Wright , 52 Iowa 335 ( 1879 )

Rothrock, J.

f. mechanic’s traefor^pay1-’ ment. I. The single question to be determined upon the demurrer was whether the payments, made in good without notice and in strict accord with the contract, protect the defendant from again paying to the snb-contractoi-s the amounts of their respecr tive liens. This question was undoubtedly correctly determined by the court below. Any other rule, followed to its logical conclusion, would effectually prevent a person from complying with a contract which all the world must admit lie has the right to make and perform. If one should contract with a builder to erect a house and agree to pay him in advance and comply with his contract by making the payment, we very much question whether it is within the power of tire legislature to require that he shall be liable to pay for his building twice, by paying off the claims of sub-contractors who may assert liens after the payments have been made. However that may be, we do not think tliat there is any provision of the statutes of this state which will bear sueb a construction.

Counsel for appellants argue that by tbe provisions of chapter 100, acts of the Sixteenth General Assembly, if the subcontractor files his claim for a lien, and serves notice thereof within thirty days from the completion of his' sub-contract, this is all that is required, and if the owner makes payment before that period, although at the time of payment no lien may be filed and no notice given, he does so at his peril. Section six of that act provides that a sub-contractor must file his lion within thirty days from the date on which the last of the material shall have been furnished, or the last of the labor .performed, and section seven provides that “to preserve the lien against the owner and to prevent payments by the latter to the principal contractor, or to intermediate sub-contractors, but for no other purpose, the sub-contractor must, within the thirty days, as provided in section six, serve upon such owner, his agent or trusteg, a written notice of the filing of said lien * -x- The said section further provides that “nothing in this act contained shall be construed to require the owner to pay a greater amount, or in any other manner, or at earlier dates than those provided in his contract.” Counsel for appellants argue this cause upon the theory that the sub-contractor is not bound to take notice of the terms of the contract between the owner and the principal contractor. The argument seems to be that the owner must act at his peril, and cannot make payments according to the terms of his contract without making inquiry as to whether there may not be sub-contractors who may thereafter file liens and give him notice. But this last clause of section seven, above quoted, charges sub-contractors with notice of the terms of the contract.

It is provided in section eight of said act that claims filed for a lien, and notice given thereof after thirty days, shall be enforced against the property only to the extent of the balance due from the owner to the contractor at the time of service of such notice. It is argued that if such claims can only be enforced for the balance due at the time of the service of notice, it follows that those filed within thirty days are enforceable notwithstanding payment may have been previously made to the contractor. But here again counsel ignores the thought that the sub-contractor can only enforce his lien in subordination to the original contract. The statute does not prescribe the character of contracts which may be made. It leaves that to the parties, and provides that it is not intended to require the owner to pay a greater amount, or in any other manner, or at earlier dates, than is jorovidedin his contract. It recognizes contracts as binding, and does not alter their terms, much less provide that a man may not pay his contractor in advance if he so agrees. There is nothing in Lucas County v. Roberts, 49 Id,, 159, inconsistent with these views. The distinction is obvious.

II. It is claimed that the finding of the court upon the trial between the plaintiffs and defendants was against the weight of the evidence. We think otherwise. It is not disputed but that the payments were actually made in accord with the contract. Upon the question as to whether the payments were with notice of plaintiff’s claim, there having been no written notice served, the burden was on the plaintiff to show such notice.

III. It is claimed that plaintiffs are, in any event, entitled to a decree for the $110 yet unpaid by defendant. The defendant has offered to pay this sum to whoever the court adjudges entitled to it. It appears that the defendants who claimed as lien holders entered into a stipulation with the defendant Wright, that upon the final decision by this court — either reversing or affirming the decision of the court below, the cause should be remanded with leave to either party to amend, as other issues are involved in the record in the court below. Under these circumstances we will remand the. cause that the court below may adjudge to whom the balance in the hands of the defendant Wright shall he paid.

Aeeirmep.