Case Name: J. K. LARKIN & COMPANY, INCORPORATED, APPELLANT, v. JAMES B. MURPHY, APPELLEE
Court: New Jersey Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New Jersey
Decision Date: 1927-10-04
Citations: 5 N.J. Misc. 921
Docket Number: 
Parties: J. K. LARKIN & COMPANY, INCORPORATED, APPELLANT, v. JAMES B. MURPHY, APPELLEE.
Judges: 
Reporter: New Jersey Miscellaneous Reports
Volume: 5
Pages: 921–922

Head Matter:
J. K. LARKIN & COMPANY, INCORPORATED, APPELLANT, v. JAMES B. MURPHY, APPELLEE.
Submitted May 13, 1927
Decided October 4, 1927.
Before Justices Parker, Minturn and Campbell.
Eor the appellant, James P. Mylod.
Eor the appellee, Sidney W. Pldridge.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
We find only one ruling of the trial court brought before us in such wise as to be entitled to examination on the merits, and that is the refusal to nonsuit on the counter-claim. The other "specifications" are either general, i. e., they do not specify (Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4) or point to no judicial action whatever (No. 6).
The first specification, that the court allowed the witness Hays to be cross-examined over objection regarding his knowledge of the custom of plaintiff's business, is technically faulty, but we have examined the point on its merits. Hays was called by plaintiff as subscribing witness to a document. It was, of course, technical error to permit cross-examination outside of that point; but, practically, it was harmless, as a moment later defendant made Hays his own witness, and whether he was testifying on direct or cross meant nothing to the jury under the circumstances.
As to the refusal to nonsuit: Murphy had been in the employ of Larkin company and resigned March 31st, to take effect May 1st. The company discharged him as of March 31st. It was open to the jury to find that he was employed by the month, and hence entitled to a month's notice, which was not given. Beach v. Mullin, 34 N. J. L. 343. Plaintiff had advanced Murphy moneys aggregating $266.66, and when he resigned exacted of him an I O U in the following language:
"March 31st, 1925.
"My resignation as salesman with J. K. Larkin & Co., Inc., 253 Broadway, New York City, has been accepted by them to-day and effective to-day.
"This is to state that I owe J. K. Larkin & Co., Inc., New York, the sum of $266.'66. This amount is due to $100 loaned me by the company quite some time ago, and $166.66 for advanced salary made by Mr. Brodhead, former treasurer of J. K. Larkin & Co., Inc.
"There are no legal defenses in the above amount of $266.66.
"James B. Murphy.
"Witness:
"Wm. C. Hays,
"Vice-President, J. K. Larkin & Co., Inc."
This paper was the basis of the plaintiff's suit. Murphy filed a set-off for two weeks' wages, amounting to $166.66, which the jury allowed, and awarded plaintiff the balance of $100.
It is argued that this paper is a contract. It is not; it is an admission of indebtedness but not conclusive, and subject to attack by parol testimony like a receipt, or a promissory note as between the parties maker and payee.
It is further argued that there was no consideration for the agreement alleged by Murphy in his testimony, that plaintiff promised him half a month's wages in view of his quitting at once. But if Murphy was entitled to a month's notice, or even if there was a fair question whether he was so entitled, the settlement of that was a legal consideration.
We find no injurious error properly assigned, and conclude that the judgment should be affirmed.