Case Name: DuBOIS v. CARTER
Court: Supreme Court of South Carolina
Jurisdiction: South Carolina
Decision Date: 1925-09-03
Citations: 132 S.C. 176
Docket Number: 11828
Parties: DuBOIS v. CARTER
Judges: Messrs. Justices Watts, Cothran, and Marion, and Mr. Acting Associate Justice R. 0/ Purdy concur.
Reporter: South Carolina Reports
Volume: 132
Pages: 176–179

Head Matter:
11828
DuBOIS v. CARTER
(129 S. E., 137)
Messrs. Peurifoy & Smoak, for appellant,
Mr. Heber R. Padgett, for respondent,
September 3, 1925.

Opinion:
The opinion of the Court was delivered by
Mr. Chief Justice Gary.
The facts are stated in the report of the case by the Magistrate as follows:
"This case was tried before a jury, and it might be stated that the jury was composed of substantial citizens, who have lived with and known the defendant all of his life. I refuse to grant a motion for a new trial, because it appears to me that substantial justice has been done.
"The plaintiff was a share cropper of the defendant, and there was a conflict of testimony between the parties as to the contract, and the custom of share cropping was allowed in evidence in order to clear the contract in the minds of the jury, so that they could arrive at what was actually the agreement between the parties.
"I did not enter the jury room for the purpose of discussing the case with them, but the foreman of the jury called me and asked for a paper, a part of the record. In order to get to the jury I had to enter the door of the small house in which, the jury were considering the case. The foreman called me from a distance and was heard by ten (10) or fifteen (15) people, among whom were both the attorneys for the plaintiff and the defendant. I gave the jury what they asked for and immediately withdrew from the room.
"I believe that defendant's counsel knows this to be true. All of which is respectfully submitted.
"P. K. Remeey, Magistrate.
"Walterboro, S. C., December 2, 1924."
The appellant's exceptions, on appeal to the Circuit Court, were as follows:
"(1) Because the Magistrate erred in admitting the tes timony of plaintiff as to the custom of dividing crops made on shares, the error assigned being that the said testimony was irrelevant.
"(2) Because the Magistrate erred in refusing to grant defendant's motion for a nonsuit, upon the grounds that there was no competent testimony to prove plaintiff's case.
"(3) Because the Magistrate erred in refusing defendant's motion for a directed verdict, upon the ground there was not sufficient testimony to go to the jury.
"(4) Because the Magistrate erred in going into the jury room, and discussing the case with the jury, before they had reached a verdict.
"(5) Because the said verdict of the jury and judgment of the Magistrate was contrary to the law and the eviv dence."
The following order was made by his Honor, John S. Wilson, presiding Judge:
"This case comes up for hearing from Magistrate Court and, after hearing argument of counsel, it is ordered that the judgment and verdict be, and the same hereby is, confirmed. John S. Wilson, Presiding Judge."
The appellant's exceptions, on appeal to- this Court, are as follows:
"(1) Because the Circuit Judge erred in affirming the verdict of the jury and the judgment of the Magistrate.
"(2) Because the Circuit Judge erred in refusing to allow defendant to submit affidavits, and to have witnesses examined to show what happened while the jury was deliberating- on the case, the error assigned being that the same was prejudicial to the rights of defendant and deprived defendant of the provisions of Section 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure, Volume 1."
The first of these exceptions is too general for consideration. Webb v. Cook, 110 S. C., 231; 96 S. E., 290. Furthermore, the appellant's attorneys have ar gued under this exception those that were argued on the appeal to the Circuit Court, which is not allowable.
We proceed to the consideration of the second exception. This exception cannot be sustained, as the appellant has failed to show that there was an abuse of discretion on the part of his Honor, the Circuit Judge.
Appeal dismissed.
Messrs. Justices Watts, Cothran, and Marion, and Mr. Acting Associate Justice R. 0/ Purdy concur.