Commercial Credit Co. v. Parks

Suit in detinue by appellant against appellee for one Chevrolet automobile. There was judgment for the plaintiff for the recovery of the car. Upon suggestion of defendant (the plaintiff holding a conditional sale contract [section 7400, Code 1923]), the jury ascertained the value of the car to be $900, and the balance due at $80, and plaintiff, being dissatisfied therewith, prosecutes this appeal.

The questions here considered as of prime importance are presented by various rulings on rather voluminous pleadings and exceptions to portions of the oral charge of the court.

The transaction here involved originated in the purchase of this car by the defendant from the City Garage Sales Company. For the remainder of the purchase price defendant executed to said City Garage Company (to so designate it) his negotiable promissory note and "conditional sale agreement," being one instrument and each referring to the other. This instrument was duly transferred and assigned for value and before maturity to the plaintiff in this action.

Defendant insisted that the instrument was tainted with usury, with the knowledge and connivance of the plaintiff, and that therefore the plaintiff was not in the position of a bona fide purchaser of a negotiable instrument. This cause was tried prior to the decision of this court in Commercial Credit Co. v. Tarwater, 110 So. 39.¹ The transaction giving rise to the execution of this instrument was not for a loan of money or the forbearance of a debt, but represented the balance due on the purchase of the car.

The instant case bears close analogy to the above-cited authority, and, indeed, a comparison of the two is persuasive that in the essential features the Tarwater Case is similar to this and to such an extent as to be controlling here. Further discussion of the question would serve no useful purpose.

We are of the opinion, upon the authority of the Tarwater Case, it must be here held there was no usury in the transaction for the execution of this instrument, and that the plaintiff is entitled to the benefits of a bona fide purchaser for value and before maturity. As this conclusion is reached from a consideration of the undisputed evidence in the case, it results that the trial court committed error in submitting the question of usury for the jury's determination. But it is insisted the Tarwater Case is not here controlling for the reason this is a detinue suit resting upon the conditional sale contract, and not a suit upon the negotiable note. We think this position, however, untenable. The fact that a negotiable paper retains title to property therein described as security for the debt does not destroy its negotiability. Citizens' Nat. Bank v. Buckheit, 14 Ala. App. 511, 71 So. 82, and authorities therein cited. It appears the negotiable note and conditional sale agreement constituted one instrument. Such retention of title gives a better security for the note, partakes of the nature, and is entitled to the same protection as the secured debt. 7 Cyc. 58; 8 Corp. Jur. 387; Fed. Land Bank v. Corinth Bank Trust Co., 214 Ala. 146, 107 So. 88; Fed. Land Bank v. Branscomb, 213 Ala. 567, 105 So. 585; Branscomb v. Fed. Land Bank (Ala. Sup.) 110 So. 42.² Plaintiff therefore is in as favorable a position as if the suit were upon the note.

It is further insisted there was a material alteration of the instrument in that the names of attesting witnesses were added thereto subsequent to defendant's signing, and without his knowledge or consent. Yancey v. Denham, 211 Ala. 139,99 So. 851. When, however, the instrument is in the hands of a holder in due course, who is not a party to the attestation, he may enforce the payment thereof according to its original tenor under the express provision of the Negotiable Instruments Law. Section 9144, Code of 1923; Green v. Harsh, 204 Ala. 520,86 So. 392.

The rulings of the trial court were not in harmony with these views.

Let the judgment be reversed and the cause remanded.

Reversed and remanded.

ANDERSON, C. J., and SAYRE and BOULDIN, JJ., concur.

¹ Ante, p. 123.

² Ante, p. 242.