Case Name: VOM CLEFF et al. v. MAGONE, Collector
Court: United States Circuit Court for the Southern District of New York
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1893-07-24
Citations: 57 F. 198
Docket Number: 
Parties: VOM CLEFF et al. v. MAGONE, Collector.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Reporter
Volume: 57
Pages: 198–199

Head Matter:
VOM CLEFF et al. v. MAGONE, Collector.
(Circuit Court, S. D. New York.
July 24, 1893.)
Customs Duties — Construction of Statutes — Meaning of Phrase — Province of Court and Jury
In the consl ruction of tariff laws the ordinary meaning of a phrase in common speech is a question of law for the court; the commercial meaning is a question of fact for the jury.
At Law. Action by Robert Vom Cleff and others against Daniel Magone, collector of the port of New York, to recover duties paid under protest. Verdict was given for defendant.
New trial ordered.
Comstock & Brown, for plaintiff.
James S. Van Rensselaer, Asst. U. S. Atty., for defendant.

Opinion:
LACOMBE, Circuit Judge.
I have reached the conclusion that there should be a new trial of this case. The jury were correctly instructed as to their duty in weighing the testimony touching the commercial meaning, if any, of the phrase "steel strips," and there was sufficient evidence as to that to sustain a verdict against the plaintiff. Unforfunaiely, however, the charge was so framed as to warrant the inference that they might also determine what is the ordinary meaning of the phrase in common speech. Bach meaning, however, is a question of law, and is for the court. It is Impossible to tell whether the jury found for the defendant because they were satisfied that the phrase had a trade meaning which excluded goods like these, or because they thought that the words "steel strips," as used in common speech, did not include them. If the plaintiff be sound in the contention that his importation is within ihe dictionary meaning of the words used, he probably could not avail of Ms exception upon appeal from the verdict as it stands, as the appellate court would be warranted in assuming that the jury decided against him as to the trade meaning.
Verdict is set aside, and new trial ordered.