Case ID: misc_10/html/0402-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Pryor, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Walter Myers, Respondent, v. Robert J. Dean, Appellant.
    (New York Common Pleas
    General Term,
    December, 1894.)
    It is not only the duty of the court to do justice, but also to satisfy the parties that justice has been done.
    Where the evidence as to the point in issue is identical on both trials, the decision of the Court of Appeals on a former appeal upon that point is . obligatory upon the court below.
    Motion for reargunaent.
    _P. Q. Eekerson, for the motion.
    
      JBootKby c& Warren, contra.
   Pryor, J.

This motion for a reargument might be denied -on the ground that, as appears in the moving papers, the decision of the Court of Appeals claimed to be inconsistent with ■our determination rods called to our attention. Rule 16. Of scarcely greater, moment is it to do justice, than, if possible, to satisfy suitors that justice has been done. Lord Kenyon held it to be the great duty of every court to administer justice as well as they could between litigating parties; another, .and not less material duty, was to satisfy those parties that the whole case has been examined and considered.” 1 Townsend’s Lives of Twelve Eminent Judges, 99, 100.

Counsel for the respondent thinks we overlooked the opinion of the Court of Appeals in the case upon a former appeal. He is mistaken. The opinion was carefully considered; but we concluded, as contended by the defendant, that the evidence as to the agency of the plaintiff in bringing the defendant and the comptroller together (132 N. Y. 71) was less on the latter than on the former trial! And so counsel insists in opposition to the present motion. We find, on the contrary, after scrutiny of the two records, that the evidence upon the point is identical in both. Myers testified on the first trial, as on the second, that the defendant said, sua sjponte, “ I will come up and see the comptroller.” So, also, that he introduced Mr. Dean to the comptroller.” Indeed, the plaintiff now testifies for the first time that defendant told the comptroller that the plaintiff sent him, and handed the comptroller plaintiff’s card.

In opposition to the motion attention is directed to the testimony of Wills, not introduced on the former trial, and to the admission of plaintiff for the first time on the second trial, to the point that the plaintiff did not first suggest to the defendant the leasing of the property. But the Court of Appeals say that the bringing the defendant and the comptroller together, in connection with other facts not now in controversy, was a sufficient service to entitle to the commission.

Our own opmion of the merit of the case is unaltered; but, while conviction is the effect of argument, submission is the duty of the inferior tribunal. The higher court may reconsider its determination ; but unreversed it is obligatory on us.

Motion granted; no costs.

Daly, Ch. J., and Bischojtf, J., concur.

Motion granted, without costs.