Boniel v. Block , 44 La. Ann. 514 ( 1892 )

The opinion of the court was delivered by

■Fenner, J.

The allegations which constitute the cause of action may'be briefly stated as follows:

1. That plaintiff had rented a house from the defendant and occupied the same as a tenant, and was conducting a grocery business therein with a stock of groceries.

2. That one Edwards, acting under the authority and direction of the defendant, forcibly entered the house in his absence, removed his goods and took possession of the premises.

8. That said acts were illegal and occasioned him damage, for which the defendant is responsible.

The defence is a general denial.

The case was tried before a jury and resulted in a verdict and judgment for §1500, from which the defendant appeals.

It can not be denied that the petition sets forth a good cause of action, if the allegations are proved.

1. The defendant is conclusive^ estopped from denying that plaintiff occupied the house under a contract of lease from him by the following notice signed by himself and served on plaintiff:

“New Orleans, April 12, 1889.

“ Mr. Boniel — You are hereby notified to vacate the property now occupied by you at the corner of Monroe and Newton streets for failing to comply with the verbal lease entered into by you. This notice is in conformity with Act 96 of 1888.”

This notice was followed by a suit brought under the act referred to, which was a judicial admission of the relation of landlord and tenant under the very terms of the act.

2. It Is proved to our entire satisfaction that Edwards, claiming-to act by defendant’s authority, had gone to Boniel and demanded the key and possession of the property, which Boniel refused; that Edwards then-told him that he intended to take possession, and that Boniel warned him that, if he did, he and Mr. Block would be held responsible; that Edwards then went to a locksmith and had a key-so filed as to fit the lock of the house; that, subsequently, in plaintiff’s absence, leaving the house locked up, Edwards returned, unlocked the door with a false key, entered, removed the plaintiff’s counter and goods, and took possession. When plaintiff returned and found what had been done he caused Edwards to be arrested for trespass. When plaintiff resumed possession of the premises he was called upon by one Levy, an employee of defendant, who was sent by the latter again to demand the keys, and the interview resulted in an altercation in which plaintiff was knocked down and severely beaten. After this he concluded to abandon the premises and rented and moved into another house. It is not pretended that defendant is responsible for 'this assault, and it is unnecessary to determine who was in fault. It was only admitted and is referred to to explain plaintiff’s final abandonment.

3. The evidence is, to our minds, equally clear that in all that he did, Edwards acted under the authority and direction of defendant. Edwards’ statements to that effect, in connection with his acts themselves, though properly admitted as part of the res gestse, to prove rem ipsam, would not operate as proof of authority when made out of defendant’s presence; but there is other testimony of statements by Edwards in the presence of defendant, and of defendant’s own statements, to sustain the authority, particularly in view of the significant fact that the defendant, though testifying as a witness, does not even intimate a denial of Edwards’ authority.

The foregoing findings are sufficient to sustain the action of plaintiff.

It is no defence to say that the business conducted by plaintiff was illegal, being the kind of business described in State vs Boniel, 42 An. 1110. Defendant was not charged with any function as an officer of the law, and if, as a citizen, he desired to vindicate the law, the course pointed out was entirely different from that here pursued.

Neither is the charge that Boniel had not complied with the terms of his lease of any avail. There was a dispute as to whether Boniel was bound, under his lease, to pay his rent in advance. Even if he were so bound and had failed to comply, defendant’s remedy was at law and not by such proceedings as those here taken.

Counsel for defendant has quoted some common law authorities which are no doubt of great weight in the cases to which they apply; but, so far as this ease is concerned, we prefer to rest it upon the memorable case of Thayer vs. Littlejohn, decided by this court, 1 Rob. 140, in which the doctrine, ever since followed by this court, was laid down that “-where a landlord, instead of resorting to the means provided by law for obtaining payment of his rent and possession of his premises, takes upon himself, without authority, to remove the property .and turn out the family of his tenant, he will be liable in damages, and it will be no excuse that such removal was effected without violence or injury.”

See also Van Wren vs. Flynn, 84 An. 1158. -

We have observed the stress laid by counsel upon. his numerous bills of exception to the admission and rejection of evidence, and have considered them all carefully.

We need not review them. Several of them are disposed of by our ruling that defendant was estopped from denying the fact of a lease. Others are eliminated by other views above expressed.

The only one sufficiently important to require special notice is that excluding the evidence of Edwards, taken by defendant’s counsel at his office and out of the presence of opposite counsel, but in alleged compliance with Act 84 of 1868.

Mere reference to that act will show that the testimony was not taken in compliance with the requirements of that act, and that it would be inadmissible unless compliance with those requirements had been waived by consent of counsel.

There was no agreement in writing and the counsel disagree in their statement of the facts.

Plaintiff’s counsel states that when he received a verbal notice from defendant’s counsel that he wanted to take Edwards’ testimony he sent back the message that ‘ ‘ he did not desire to be present at the taking of the testimony, that he reserved all legal objections and reserved the right to cross-examine the witness.” This was certainly not a waiver of any requirements of the statute. Defendant’s counsel gives a different statement.

This court declines to decide such delicate differences, and requires that “ all agreements of counsel, on which the court is to act, must be in writing.” Rule XI, Sec. 8.

The testimony, therefore, stands as not taken according to the statute and without any waiver. Although the particular objection on which the court acted may not have been sound, the testimony was objected to and was not legally admissible.

The testimony was not brought up with the bill, and we know nothing of its nature or importance. We can not remand the ease on this ground.

The damages allowed by the jury are excessive.

In the case of Thayer vs. Littlejohn above referred to, the damages allowed, in absence of proof of direct pecuniary injury, were $300. We think that $200 additional will cover the actual pecuniary loss of this plaintiff.

It is, therefore, adjudged and decreed that the verdict and judgment appealed from be amended by reducing the amount thereof to $500, and that as thus amended the same be now affirmed, appellee to pay costs of appeal.