Case ID: la_18/html/0336-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      Morphy, J.\n    ", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

BYRNE vs. ORLEANS COTTON PRESS COMPANY.
    APPEAL FROM THE PARISH COURT FOR THE PARISH AND CITY OP NEW ORLEANS.
    The plaintiff, as President of the Orleans Cotton Press Company, when there was no salary fixed, claimed $3000 per annum for his services, and the testimony of witnesses went to show that they were worth it: Jffeld, that the sum of $2000, voted to his successor, he taken as the proper amount to he allowed.
    This is an action on a quantum meruit, in which the plaintiff claims the sum of three thousand dollars for a year’s salary as President of the Orleans Cotton Press Company, before any fixed salary was allowed or established by the board.
    The evidence showed that the immediate successor of the plaintiff was allowed two thousand dollars per annum as his salary by a vote of the hoard.
    The plaintiff called witnesses who testified to the faithful services rendered by him as President of the Company, in superintending the Cotton Press and the buildings then going Up. These witnesses thought the plaintiff’s services reasonable at what he charged ; but it also appeared there was a su-perintendant of the buildings and machinery besides, at a large salary.
    The Parish Judge was of opinion the plaintiff fully established his demand, and gave judgment accordingly. Thé defendants appealed.
    
      JRawle, for the plaintiff.
    
      Hoffman, contra.
   Morphy, J.

delivered the opinion of the court.

Plaintiff claims three thousand dollars for his services as President of the Orleans Cotton Press Company from the 21st of January, 1833, to the' 17th of February, 1834. The petition' alleges that the duties of the office were arduous and engrossed much of the time and attention of plaintiff to the prejudice of his own business. That no salary had yet been affixed to the office when he was appointed ; the company having then but recently commenced operations ; that relying on the justice of the board of directors to allow him a fair and reasonable compensation for his services, plaintiff did continue' to incur the responsibility and discharge the duties attached to the office until the aforesaid period. The answer denies that any compensation whatever was due to the petitioner, or that his services are worth the amount claimed. The plaintiff had a judgment below from which the defendants appealed. . ' ■

This ■ case presents no question of law. From the minute book of the company, which has been laid .before us as part of the evidence, we are satisfied that at the time of the election of plaintiff as President of the Company there was no salary yet affixed to the office. A committee named by the stockholders before their incorporation had proposed a sum of one' thousand dollars for the services of the President, but their report had never been acted upon; when oh the 8th of April, 1834,-shortly after a charter had been obtained from the legislature, the sum of two thousand dollars was fixed upon as the salary of the President, but no provision was made for the services of plaintiff, rendered up to the 18th of February preceding. This claim, then, is on a quantum meruit. A number of witnesses in the employ of the defendants at the time plaintiff was elected President, testify that his services in that office were worth the sum he claims. They say that he acted not only as President, but superintended the erection of the buildings, made contracts, &c., and attended to almost all the offices of the company to the neglect of his own business as a merchant, which at that time was extensive. On examining the testimony in connection with the minute book before us, we cannot but believe that there is some exaggeration in relation to the plaintiff’s services, and the estimate püt upon them. The witnesses speak of his superintending the buildings as one of his most arduous duties* and ye't We find that the company had appointed a superinte’ndant of the buildings with a salary of two thousand five hundred dolíais per annum, during the very time plaintiff was President. There was besides a building committee authorized to purchase materials, engines, slaves, &c. It is clear, however, from the1 evidence, that plaintiff devoted much of his time and attention to the business and affairs of the company, and is entitled to remuneration. We think that he should receive a sum equal to that allowed to his immediate successor, to wit: two thousand dollars.

It is therefore ordered that the judgment of the Parish Court be reversed; and it is further ordered that plaintiff do recover of the defendants the sum of two thousand dollars, with costs below, those of this appeal to be borne by the plaintiff and ap-pellee.