Cleveland v. Cleveland , 128 S.C. 460 ( 1924 )

The opinion of the Court was delivered by

Mr. Justice Fraser.

This is an action for alimony, and was tried .before Special Judge A. C. Todd. The finding of his Honor that “the testimony shows that the defendant inflicted on the plaintiff such physical violence (and personal indignities as would make her residence with him intolerable and that he practiced revolting indecencies in the family circle” is fully sustained by the evidence. The judgment allowing $40 per month for the support of the plaintiff and her children and $250 for counsel fee is reasonable, and these findings are sustained.

E The first assignment of error is that his Honor erred in allowing the introduction of evidence as to the misconduct of the defendant with another woman introduced into his home by the defendant. It is true this allegation of indecency in the home was not made in the complaint. The allegation in the complaint was in general term's, but if the defendant desired-a more definite statement his remedy was a motion to make this allegation more definite and certain, and, not having done so, he cannot now complain.

II. The next assignment of error is that his Honor erred in allowing the introduction in evidence of the record in the Recorder’s Court of the conviction of the defendant of offenses against the ordinances of the city. There is abundant evidence to support his Honor’s findings, even if this evidence is excluded, and, even if it was error, it is not prejudicial. His Honor clearly could not allow the Recorder to reverse his findings by parol evidence on the stand in another case.

III.The next assignment of error is that his Honor erred in holding that, inasmuch as the plaintiff was not normal physically and mentally, the husband owed her a greater degree of consideration than if she had been physically and mentally normal. The appellant’s contention that the degree of tolerance which the defendant owed to his wife was that due to a woman of ordinary reason and prudence cannot be sustained. This certainly cannot be sustained in a case like this, where both the physical and mental disorder was intensified, if not produced, by the conduct of the husband.

IV.The next assignment of error is “that the evidence fails to show defendant guilty of any improper conduct.” The finding of improper conduct is fully sustained by the evidence.

V. The next assignment of error is that the record shows that the plaintiff voluntarily left the home of the defendant. She did leave, but not voluntarily. The life the plaintiff lived at the house of her husband was intolerable.

VI. The appellant claims that plaintiff condoned the offenses. It is very clear that new offenses occurred continually and had reached a condition where endurance ceased to be a virtue.

VII. The last assignment of error is that his Honor enjoined the appellant from disposing of his property. This was error, and the injunction is overruled. If the appellant disposes of his property and fails to support his wife and children, the remedy is clear.

As thus modified, the decree is affirmed.

Messrs. Justices Watts, Cothran and Marion concur. Mr. ChiEE Justice Gary did not participate.