Bank of Montreal v. Richter , 55 Minn. 362 ( 1893 )

Vanderburgh, J

The promissory note sued on was given for the purchase price of a stallion, and the defendants, in their answer, in addition to denials, set up as a defense that they were induced to make tbe purchase and to execute tbe note by tbe false and fraudulent representations of tbe agent of tbe payees, wbo were tbe owners of tbe borse. On tbe trial tbe plaintiff objected to the admission of any evidence under tbe answer, on tbe ground that, in addition to tbe charge of fraud, it did not allege that tbe plaintiff bad notice thereof when it took tbe note. We think it is tbe usual practice to insert such allegations in tbe answer in-such cases, but in this case tbe defect, if any, is cured by tbe reply,, which shows, in substance, that plaintiff’s information on tbe subject was obtained after it acquired tbe note. In no event could tbe plaintiff be prejudiced by tbe ruling of tbe court.

Upon proof by tbe defendants of tbe fraud as alleged, the plaintiff was required to assume the burden of proving that it took the' note for value, and without notice of tbe fraud. Under tbe code system, it is held, in some of tbe states, — and, as I think, properly, —that tbe plea of fraud is a good defense by itself, and it is not necessary for tbe defendant, in addition thereto, to allege in bis answer, in such cases, that plaintiff bad notice of tbe fraud in the-inception of tbe note. See First Nat. Bank v. Ruhl, 122 Ind. 279, (23 N. E. Rep. 766.) And this rests upon tbe ground that tbe existence of the fraud raises tbe presumption that tbe plaintiff’s title is not bona fide, and the burden, in consequence, shifts, and it is incumbent on tbe bolder of tbe note to show that be took it in good faith, with all that these terms imply. Vosburgh v. Diefendorf, 119 N. Y. 365, (23 N. E. Rep. 801;) Canajoharie Nat. Bank v. Diefendorf, 123 N. Y. 206, (25 N. E. Rep. 402.) He must-show under what circumstances, and for what value, be became tbe holder. Seymour v. McKinstry, 106 N. Y. 240, (12 N. E. Rep. 348, 14 N. E. Rep. 94;) Totten v. Bucy, 57 Md. 453. Tbe reason-for this rule, generally assigned, is that where there is fraud tbe presumption is that be wbo is guilty of it will part with tbe note thereby acquired for tbe purpose of enabling some third party to-recover on it. Such presumption operates against tbe bolder, and suspicion follows tbe note into bis bands, and fastens upon his title. Cummings v. Thompson, 18 Minn. 252, (Gil. 228.)

Tbe defendants’ evidence was sufficient to make out a case of actionable fraud, and fully justified the verdict of tbe jury in their behalf, -unless it was made to appear by the plaintiff that it took the note without notice of the fraud. This the plaintiff undertook to show. It does not not claim to have discounted the notes, but that it took them, with, other notes, as collateral security for an indebtedness due the bank from the payees. The bank was to collect the same at the expense of the payees, and - credit them, in their account, with the net proceeds-. Though this may be sufficient, under the decision in Rosemond v. Graham, 54 Minn, 323, (56 N. W. Rep. 38,) to make the plaintiff a holder for value, nevertheless, on the question of good faith, there ;is not enough i.n the nature of the transfer to sustain plaintiff’s .case. It is quite different from a case where, in the ordinary .course of business, the holder has purchased negotiable paper, un-,dei-due, for its face value or nearly so, which of itself would, if free from suspicious circumstances, be entitled to much weight upon the issue of good faith. Undoubtedly, the plaintiff, in this case, -was obliged to show -want of notice of the fraud, by competent testimony, in addition to the fact that it holds the notes as collateral security. The plaintiff was bound to show that the defense ,of fraud was inoperative as against it, and this we think the depositions introduced for that purpose failed to do. That of one of the payees disclosed -nothing upon the subject, and it does not appear that the -witness Ambrose, who was the only other witness •in plaintiff's behalf, was in a position to know what notice or knowledge the plaintiff may have had in respect to the transactions upon which the charge -of fraud is based. His evidence does not •show that he was the officer or agent of the bank through whom the transfer of the notes was made, and who acted, or was qualified to speak, for the bank in the matter. If, however, the transaction had been with him solely in behalf of the bank, and he had testified to the .circumstances under which the transfer was madé, -.his evidence tending to prove the bona Jides of the transaction would have made -a prima facie case, within the rule in Rosemond v. Graham, supra, without the necessity of calling other officers • or agents of the bank. But the other witness — one of the payees above referred to — testifies that the person through whom the notes were delivered to the bank was one Monroe, the manager, and the testimony of Ambrose is not in conflict with. this. The latter says that the books of the bank show that the notes were transferred to it in June, 1889; that he had been employed by the plaintiff, in different capacities, for ten years; and, generally, that the bank took the notes as collateral security for cash advanced; and says, “We understood that the notes were taken by the payees in the usual course of business, and the bank knew of no other agreement in relation to the giving of the notes, other than expressed by the notes themselves.” This is all the evidence bearing on the question. It does not appear what his means of knowledge were, or the extent of it, or that he could speak from personal knowledge, or that he was the only person connected with the bank who had knowledge on the subject, nor were his answers full, explicit, or satisfactory. The evidence fell short of what was required to make a case for the jury on the issue of good faith or notice, and the defendants were entitled to a verdict, if the issue of fraud was found in their favor. It follows that many of the alleged errors of the court,- in its rulings and charge, were, without prejudice, and do not, therefore, require special mention.

.(Opinion published 57 N. W Rep. 61.)

The instructions were subject to criticism on the ground that they were palpably conflicting and contradictory, but upon the material issues, as finally passed upon by the jury, no prejudice -could have resulted to the plaintiff.

Order affirmed.