Hall v. Rupley ( 1849 )

Rogers, J.

"We are unable to discover any error in the instruction, that if the defendant made default in furnishing materials, the plaintiff may recover the balance due on the contract. The case, as found by. the jury, was this: — Rupley agreed to build a barn for the stipulated price of $200, Hall providing the materials necessary for the performance of the work. Hall neglected to supply the materials, in consequence of which the work was not completed. The defendant contends, that inasmuch as it was an entire contract, the plaintiff is not entitled to recover; and for this position, he relies on Shaw v. The Turnpike, 2 Pa. 454; Roberts v. Beatty, Ib. 71; Blight v. Ashley, 1 Pet. C. 15, and The Bank v. Hagner, 1 Pet. 455. The last three authorities have little to do with the case. The question does not depend on an independent or dependent covenant, as where one covenant is the consideration of another covenant; but upon the point whether it was the duty of the owner to supply the materials as they were wanted, without any request on the part of the contractor. We think that no request was necessary. The materials ought to have been provided to the hands of the builder. The presumption is that Hall knew, or he ought to have known, if he had taken the trouble to inquire, what would be required in the erection of the building. We have nothing before us but the simple fact that the materials were not supplied; from which the jury have inferred, in the absence of all proof to the contrary, that this was the cause of the failure to finish the building. Shaw v. The Turnpike Company rules this case. When a contract is entire, before any recovery can be had of the consideration-money, the plaintiff must prove that he has performed, or is ready to perform, his part of the contract, or that the performance was prevented by defendant. Here, the non-fulfilment of the contract has arisen from defendant’s omission. He is in default; it would, therefore, be imjust that the plaintiff should be deprived of payment, on a quantum meruit, for the work actually done to the building. It is a salutary principle, that where the contract is entire, the plaintiff cannot recover unless he proves performance, or readiness to perform his contract; but we must beware of pushing this principle so far as to deprive a workman of compensation, when the non-completion of the work has arisen from the default of the employer. The rule is by no means without exception, as the case cited shows, and as is further manifest in Preston v. Finney, 2 W. & S. 53. For an action upon a written contract, as is there held, to recover the price of certain labour or services performed, will not be defeated by proof that the plaintiff failed, in some slight particulars, in the performance of it, when he appears to have acted bond fide with the intention of fulfilling his whole contract, and the other contracting party has received the fruits of his labour. This is a rational qualification of the rule, and is necessary to prevent great wrong; for, in many instances, nothing would be easier than to suggest and prove some slight omission of the contractor, 'and thus avoid all payment whatever. Talcing the charge as a whole, there is nothing of which the defendant can reasonably complain.

As to the-second point: it was error to send-'out with the jury a declaration which had been withdrawn, another having been substituted. But we do not perceive that the defendant has been injured by this step, for the declarations are substantially the same. But, as to the statement which accompanied the declaration, we have mor.e difficulty; but we do not feel ourselves compelled to reverse on that ground, for it would seem to have been submitted to the jury as a mere statement of the items of work done, of' which there was some proof. Had there been no proof of any one.item, it would be a fatal exception; as is ruled in Morrison v. Moreland, 15 S. & R. 61. It is with extreme reluctance we yield to objections not touching the merits, but of a purely technical character.

Judgment affirmed.