Hoopes v. Meyer , 1865 Nev. LEXIS 63 ( 1865 )

Opinion of the Court by

Justice Beatty,

full Bench concurring.

This was an action brought under the Forcible Entry and Detainer Act, for an unlawful holding over of a tenant. The complaint substantially alleges that plaintiff leased certain premises to defendant for a period of one year, from the 7th of April, 1864, to the 7th of April, 1865, for the sum of four thousand eight hundred dollars, which rent was to be paid in installments of four hundred dollars each month in advance. That the monthly rents falling due on the 7th of September, 7th of October and 7th of November, respectively, were not paid, and that a demand was made on each of these days for the respective sums falling due on such days. ' That on the 18th day of October, 1864, a notice was served on defendant, requiring him to deliver up possession of the premises described or pay the rent then due. That this demand was not complied with, and defendant still retains possession. That the rental value of the premises is four hundred dollars per month, and the defendant retains the same to the damage of plaintiff in the sum of twelve hundred dollars.

The answer admits the execution and acceptance of lease; denies an indebtedness to tbe plaintiff of twelve hundred dollars, or of four hundred dollars per month for rent. Denies that a demand was made for the rent on the 7 th of September, October or November, as alleged in the complaint. Avers that one Walter was a tenant in common with plaintiff of the premises leased, and pleads a •ms-joinder [non-joinder] of parties in not making Walter a plaintiff. Avers that, on the 7th day of July, 1864, a verbal agreement was made with plaintiff that the rent should be reduced from four hundred dollars to two hundred dollars per month, and that the July and August rents were paid at that rate. Answer further avers that in August, 1864, Max Walter evicted defendant from a portion of the rented premises. That Walter was tenant in common and part owner with plaintiff of the premises, and avers upon information and belief that said eviction was made with the connivance of plaintiff, and avers that the part from which he was evicted was worth two hundred dollars per month. There are some additional averments in the answer that cut no figure in the case. The ease was tried before a jury, and the jury found for the plaintiff, assessing his damages at seven hundred and fifty dollars. The Court, on motion of plaintiff, set aside so much of the finding as assessed the damages at seven hundred and fifty dollars, and assessed the same at twelve hundred dollars, on the ground that the amount of damages were not denied by defendant. The Court then ordered judgment for restitution and treble damages, to wit: three thousand six hundred dollars. After judgment, defendant made a statement on motion for new trial. The Court made an order granting the new trial unless plaintiff would remit twenty-four hundred dollars of the damages. This the plaintiff did, and the new trial was then refused. The case comes to us on appeal from the judgment and from the order refusing a new trial. There is in the transcript what purports to be a statement on motion for new trial, but none on appeal. Appellant makes a great many points which we shall have occasion hereafter to notice.

Respondent objects that this Court cannot look into any of the alleged errors that do not appear on the judgment roll. That which purports to bo a statement on motion for new trial is not a statement, and slionld not be treated as such by this Court, because it does not comply with the requirements of Section 19o of the Practice Act. That section provides that when a new trial is moved for, it shall be on affidavits or “ a statement of the grounds upon which he (the moving party) intends to rely.”

This statement contains the evidence, instructions, a statement of the rulings of the Court on several points, etc., but does not state or in any manner designate the points on which the defendant will rely on his motion for a new trial. If we turn back to the notice of intention to move for new trial, we find that notice informs plaintiff that defendant will move for a new trial upon the following grounds: “ Insufficiency of the evidence to justify the evidence [verdict] and judgment, and that it is against law. Errors of law occuring at the trial and excepted to by the defendant.”

If we consider the preliminary notice as a part of the statement on motion for new trial, it does contain a kind of statement of the grounds relied on. But even then the statement is too general to be of any value. It is not such a statement as was contemplated by the statute. Undoubtedly it was the intention of the statute to require a statement to be made showing the error complained of with such precision as to enable the parties litigant to prepare a statement which should contain so much of the evidence and history of the trial as would be necessary to explain the contested points and no more. Such is undoubtedly the proper practice, but one seldom followed by the profession. In nine cases out of ten when there is a statement in the record, it comes here encumbered with a mass of evidence having no relevancy to the errors assigned. Such statements increase the labor of counsel, the expenses of litigants, and are a source of vexation and annoyance to the Court. We would gladly correct this loose and irregular practice. But as the statute does not expressly attach any penalty to parties failing to make proper statements, we think the ends of justice better attained by treating this statute as merely directory, and tolerating, whilst we disapprove such loose and irregular statements.

This was the practice puimred in California for some eight or ten years under an Act similar to ours. Tbe Court finally adopted tlie rule there of not examining such statements rather as a matter of necessity than of choice. The press of business in that Court prevented them from having time to examine such irregular transcripts. Under this pressing necessity they were compelled to adopt very stringent rules for enforcing this direction of the Practice Act. The Legislature subsequently amended the Practice Act, so as to aid the Court in carrying out its rulings on this subject. We shall not for the present refuse to examine records for such irregularity in the statement on motion for new trial or appeal, but may deem it incumbent on us to make some rule which will enforce a more strict compliance with the statute. The first error assigned by the appellant is in these words: “ The District Court in the absence of any statute applying to and governing this class of cases in respect to that Court could not entertain jurisdiction of the action.”

The Constitution itself confers jurisdiction on the District Courts in this class of cases. Immediately after the Constitution went into effect, the District Courts, by virtue of that instrument, had jurisdiction of all cases of this class. (See Section 6 of Article VI.) No legislation was necessary to give jurisdiction. The Practice Act of the former Territoxy, which remains in force, provides the general method of proceeding in the District Court. Put it is urged that the action of “ foi’cible entiy axxd unlawful detainer” is not known to the common law, and therefore the Disti-ict Court cannot proceed in the trial of such a cause without some statute defining the action, stating the facts which must be proved and the judgment to be l’eixdered, etc., on the proof of these facts. That we have no such law because our statute only authorizes Justices of the Peace, when such and such facts exist, to render certain judgments.

A part of this proposition is undoubtedly correct. Although the jurisdiction of the District Courts is established by the Constitution over cases of forcible entry and detained, yet if the common law does not show what is the character of such an action, and we had no statute in force when this suit was brought defining the nature of the action, of coime the Court could not exercise its jurisdiction. The Court could not make a law to govern the action of forcible entry and detainer, it could only declare and enforce an existing law. "We think, however, the latter part of the proposition is untenable. Our Act first prohibits forcible and unlawful entries. Then, in a separate section, it authorizes Justices of the Peace to inquire into such violations of law, and directs the mode of proceeding in such inquiry. The prohibition of these Acts is independent of the claims conferring jurisdiction, and directing how it shall be exercised.

Section 647 of the Act shows what facts shall be proved to' constitute the offense, and what shall be a good defense to the action. This section is by its terms certainly applicable to any Court which might have jurisdiction of the case. These sections, then, defining the offense and the evidence are certainly not incompatible with the Constitution, are now in force, and with the aid of the general Practice Act would perhaps be all that would be necessary to enable the Court to exercise its jurisdiction in eases of " forcible entry.”

Section 648 directs what judgment a Justice may enter after hearing the evidence or receiving the verdict of a jury. Although the language of this section is such as to confine it when taken literally to Justices, we think, taking the statute and Constitution together, the two may be fairly interpreted so as to authorize the particular class of judgments described in section 648, to be rendered by any Court having jurisdiction of the case.

Section 651 defines unlawful detainers of the kind complained of in this action, points out the method of proceeding in such cases, shows what facts shall be proved to sustain the action, etc. The section then provides that upon complaint to a Justice, the Justice shall proceed to hear, try, etc. This section, like section 648, is, when construed literally, inapplicable to the state of things existing when the new Constitution went into effect. But, to carry out the intent of that Constitution, we must substitute “ Courts having jurisdiction” for Justices. ~We think so much of the law as defines the forfeiture, etc., is in force. That part of it which directs what Court shall assume jurisdiction is suspended and altered by the Constitution.

The second error assigned is in these words : “ If the District Court bad power originally to entertain the case, it lost that power by the repeal of the Act of 1861, concerning forcible entries and unlawful detainers."

It is claimed that the repeal of the former Act ipso facto abrogates all proceedings being had thereunder, and deprives plaintiff of all right to recover in this proceeding.

ITe cannot recover, it is contended, under the old law, because it is repealed ; nor under the new, because it is joros-pective in its operation.

The repeal of a criminal or penal law certainly arrests all proceedings thereunder. So far as this law partakes of a criminal character, no doubt its operation is suspended and annulled by the repeal. No fine could be imposed by a Court in a case which was commenced under the old law and tried after its repeal. But, in regard to the civil rights acquired under the provisions of the former law we apprehend a different rule prevails. The repeal of a law, it is said, obliterates it from the statute book, as if it had never been there; but there are some, we might say many, exceptions to this general sweeping effect ascribed to the repeal of the statute. We need only notice one exception. If a right has been acquired by contract under the provisions of a statute, a repeal of that statute will not divest the right. Indeed, it could not have such an effect without a violation of the Constitution of the United States. (See Sedgwick on Statutory and Constitutional Law, page 133, and cases there cited.) This case comes within that very exception. Here, by the terms of the lease, and in virtue of the law existing when it was executed, the lessor is entitled to have that lease abrogated and set aside, and be restored to the use of his property on the failure of his tenant to pay rent. Appellant contends that the right to be restored to his property is taken away by a repeal of the Act under discussion.

The repeal of a statute has never been held to produce such an effect even in England. Under the restrictions of our National Constitution, it could not produce such an effect. Appellant’s point is untenable.

The next point relied on is that the Court erred in refusing to grant a non-suit on motion of defendant. The defendant claimed that lie was entitled to a non-suit because there was no proof of demand made for rent, either on the 1th of September or October. The respondent claims there was no necessity for proof because there was no sufficient denial of the allegations of the complaint. The Court is so unfortunate as to differ with both counsel on this point. We think the denial in the answer is sufficient to raise an issue of fact. The demand is simply alleged to have been made on a certain day. The denial is “ that the demand was not made on that day, as alleged.” It is argued that the words “ as alleged” qualify the answer so as to make it a negative pregnant.

Had the allegation of the complaint been that the demand was made in some particular manner, as that it was made on the premises at a late hour of the day, etc., then the words, " as alleged,” might be considered as referring to the manner and not the fact of a demand. Rut as there are no qualifying circumstances accompanying the demand as averred, we think the words, “ as alleged ,” should be .treated as mere surplusage, and the denial as good.

But whilst we hold the denial was sufficient, we are of the opinion that the allegation was unnecessary,' and need not be proved. Under the rulings of the California Courts on a similar statute, it has been held that the demand for rent must be made not only on the day that the rent falls due, but at a late hour of the day.

If part of this rule is good, doubtless all of it is; and plaintiff must have failed for not proving or alleging the hour at which the demand was made. But we hold that the statute does not require any demand to be made but one — that is, the written demand, to be made after rent has been three days past due. That was clearly averred in the complaint, and not denied. We think the ruling of the California Courts in regard to the necessity of making a formal demand for rent at a certain hour of the day it becomes due, is in violation of the letter „of the statute, tends to produce confusion, delay, an increase of litigation, and to defeat the very objects of the statute, which appear to be laudable and just.

The Courts of California have intimated that they were not satisfied witli tlieir earlier interpretation of this statute, and the Legislature of that State has so amended their statute as to make it mean beyond mistake what we think it meant when it was first passed. \The second instruction, given at request of plaintiff, is technically wrong, because it instructs the jury that the failure to answer certain averments, among others, that plaintiffs were entitled to the possession of the premises sued for, etc., are conclusive against defendant. The answer must deny all material facts stated in the complaint. It is not necessary to deny mere conclusions of law. It is sometimes difficult to say whether an allegation in a complaint is a mere averment as to a conclusion of law, or whether it also contains some averment of a material fact. It is, therefore, not improper in a pleader, out of abundance of caution, to deny all the material allegations in a complaint which are untrue, although some of them may be rather conclusions of law than facts from which such conclusions of law are to be drawn.

But when the pleadings contain a fair issue as to facts, the mere failure to deny legal conclusions should not prejudice the defendant. In this case certain facts are stated by plaintiff, and from the existence of those facts he avers, as his conclusions of law, that he is entitled to the possession of the premises sued for. The defendant answers and does not deny any material allegation of the complaint, but does set out some matters in avoidance. These matters defendant was entitled to prove, and if proved, they were a defense pro tanto.

That portion of the fourth instruction, given at request of plaintiff, which is in these words: “ The title of a tenant in common is not paramount to that of his co-tenant,” was calculated to mislead the jury, and was erroneous.

That sentence contains a proposition literall/y true but wholly inapplicable to this case. The text books lay down the general proposition that a tenant can only plead an eviction by paramownt title as an excuse for the non-payment of rent. The words “pa/rcwnount titlef are used in such cases in a general and not technical sense, to distinguish an eviction by one having lawful authority to hold as against the tenant from an eviction by a mere trespasser. If a tenani is evicted by a trespasser, the law affords him the means of being reinstated. It is bis duty to resort to tliat remedy. He cannot refuse to pay Ms rent because of a wrong done to Mm or Ms possession by a stranger. But if be is evicted by one wbo lias tbe right of possession, one against whom tbe defendant could not maintain an action to recover back the possession, then be is excused from paying bis rent. Here, according to tbe averments of tbe answer, the tenant was in possession of tbe whole premises by virtue of a lease from one tenant in common. Tbe other tenant in common takes possession of a portion of tbe common property. If there was no force or fraud used by tbe tenant in common in getting possession of bis portion, we do not see hpw tbe tenant could recover of him. If tbe tenant could not recover, certainly be is not bound to pay rent for tbe premises of which be does not bold possession.

There was no error in refusing instructions No. 1 and 2 asked by defendant. Tbe answer admits tbe amount of rent agreed to be paid. Plaintiff was entitled to recover to that extent without proof, provided defendant showed nothing in avoidance. As to tbe point embraced in second instruction, we have already held that no demand for rent was necessary.

Tbe Court below also erred in ruling out tbe evidence concerning eviction by Max Walter. It is not very clear from tbe statement that at the time of tbe eviction, Max Walter was a tenant in common with tbe plaintiff. It is at least probable be bad sold Ms interest to Thomas Walter. The statement does not, however, show this positively. There is some evidence in tbe statement as it comes to us that Max Walter was still a tenant in common in tbe property. If there was any testimony showing that be was a tenant in common, or that be was acting as tbe agent of Thomas Walter, a tenant in common, tbe evidence should have gone to tbe jury.

Tbe allegations of tbe answer as to an agreement for tbe reduction of rent do not amount to a defense. There does not appear to be any consideration for tbe agreement. Doubtless where there is an agreement under seal, that agreement njay be superseded by a new agreement not under seal after tbe latter agreement has been executed in whole or in part. But it must be a new agreement based on some good and valid consideration. Here there is an agreement under seal to pay four thousand eight hundred dollars for one year’s rent of certain premises, payable in twelve monthly installments of four hundred dollars each. It is alleged there was subsequently an agreement on the part of the landlord to accept two hundred dollars per month in lieu of the four hundred dollars. There is no allegation of any consideration for this agreement. It is not shown that defendant bound himself to surrender his lease at the end of a shorter term, or to pay rent for a longer term, or to perform or refrain from doing any act in consideration of the change. It amounts simply to a promise on the part of the plaintiff that he will accept two hundred dollars instead of four hundred dollars — a promise made without consideration, and void.

It results from the views expressed in the foregoing opinion, that on the pleadings alone without proof, plaintiff is entitled to recover so much of the premises sued for as are in possession of the defendant. "What amount of damages plaintiff is entitled to recover is a question of more difficulty. The question is, shall a plaintiff in a case of this hind recover treble or single damages ? Section 648 of the Practice Act provides, that in cases of this kind where the defendant is found guilty the Justice shall render judgment of restitution in favor of plaintiff; shall impose a fine on defendant; shall tax costs for plaintiff and issue execution and writ of restitution.

Section 650 provides that the Justice shall render judgment for the plaintiff for treble the damages assessed by the jury. The authority for rendering the different parts of the judgment are thus separated into two sections, with one section intervening. Section 651 provides for cases where a tenant holds over, and the proper steps have been taken to terminate the lease, and concludes thus:

“ The Justice shall proceed to hear, try and determine the same, in the same manner as in other cases hereinbefore provided for, but shall impose no fine upon any such case mentioned in this section.”

The question is whether the words “ proceed to hear, try, and determine the same,” has reference to the manner of proceeding, trying, etc., as provided in 648 only, or in 648 and 650. Judging from the language used, it would seem that these words must refer to both the preceding sections. In fact, without it does so, there would seem to be no authority given to Justices for entering any money judgment in cases of this hind, except for costs. The words of exception, “but shall impose no fine upon any such case,” seem to indicate that there should be no other difference in other respects between a judgment for forcible entry and unlawful holding over. These seemed to us at first view almost irresistible reasons for coming to the conclusion that the plaintiff in such eases was entitled to treble damages; but if the plaintiff is entitled to treble damages, for what space of time are those damages to be trebled ? Suppose A, on the 1st day of January, leases a house to B for twelve months, at one hundred dollars per month, the rent to be paid monthly in advance. The first month’s rent is paid, then for six months nothing is paid, the landlord being satisfied as to the tenant’s solvency, and taking no steps to create a forfeiture. On the 1st day of August the landlord demands the rent that day due; it is not paid, and on the 4th he makes the written demand for the surrender of the premises or the payment of the rent due. On the 8th day of August suit is brought. "What damages are to be trebled ? It has been held in California, under a statute from which oxu’s was copied, that rent which fell due for a period of time antecedent to that when the rent was demanded could not be recovered in this action. That prior to the demand for rent the tenant was not wrongfully in possession, and therefore the rents could not be recovered as damages in an action for wrongful holding over, but only in an action upon contract, such as debt, covenant, assumpsit, or some similar action. (See Howard v. Valentine, 20 Cal. 282.) Then in the case put, if this authority be right, no rents prior to August could be recovered. What rents could be recovered and trebled after August? The demand of rent is made the 1st of August. Then a second and written demand for rent or possession is made the 4th. At the close of the Ith the forfeiture becomes complete, and relates back to the 1st. The suit is brought on the 8th. Is the plaintiff’ entitled to recover three hundred dollars, which would be treble the rent agreed to be paid in advance for the month of August, or treble the value of the property for the first seven days of August, during which he has wrongfully held over ? We cannot answer this question from the reading of the statute. But we have held that a special demand of the rent at the very time it falls due is not necessary.

Can it be held that in the case put, if, after the payment of rent in January, the landlord should fail to demand any rent until the 4th of December, he could then demand an immediate surrender of the premises, or the payment of eleven months’ rent ? .and in case the tenant was unable for three days to comply with this demand, to treat the tenant as a trespasser since February and recover treble rents for eleven months ? It can hardly be supposed the Legislature intended anything of the kind. Many other cases might be put, presenting equal difficulties as to the application of this law to eases that might arise. Whilst, then, we think the Legislated has used language which would seem to indicate that in some way treble damages were to be recovered from tenants holding over, the statute has utterly failed to show what damages should be trebled. Under, then, the well known principle that penalties and forfeitures will not be extended by implication and doubtful construction, we feel justified in holding that this section does not authorize treble damages in any specific class of cases, and no such judgment can be rendered against a tenant holding over. If there can be no treble damages, this case is relieved of many of its difficulties. The pleadings show, either by direct admissions or failure to deny allegations of complaint, that the premises were rented for four hundred dollars per month; that no rent for the months of September, October and November was paid or tendered; that proper demand was made, and the premises were not delivered to the landlord. These facts make a prima faoie case, entitling plaintiff to judgment for restitution and twelve hundred dollars damages; but there is an allegation by defendant that during all the period of these three months he was deprived of the possession of a part of the premises leased, which part was of the monthly value of two hundred dollars, and that this evic tion was by a tenant in common of his landlord. If this defense can be sustained by the defendant, he will be entitled to a credit or deduction of six hundred dollars from the twelve hundred dollars, for which judgment was rendered.

Defendant was deprived of the opportunity of making this defense, and therefore is entitled to a new trial, unless the plaintiff should be willing to remit or release six hundred dollars of the damages recovered. If the plaintiff will remit the damages to that extent, the judgment will be affirmed, otherwise the order of the Court below refusing a new trial must be reversed and the case remanded.

If within ten days after the publication of this opinion the plaintiff in the Court below will file with the Clerk for the use of the defendant, a release from six hundred dollars of the damages recovered, and also a consent that appellant’s costs in this Court shall be credited on the judgment in favor of respondent, and have the same certified to this Court, then the judgment of the Court below will be in all things affirmed. Otherwise the Clerk of this Court, at the expiration of said ten days, will enter an order reversing the order of the Court below, refusing a new trial, and remanding this cause for further proceedings.