Opinion ID: 2341261
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Sagner Entitled to Recover Damages Suffered by the Partnership.

Text: Appellants contend that Sagner was entitled to recover only the bond premium; that as Saggy was owned by a partnership consisting of Sagner and his wife trading under the style of Saggy Farms, Note 1, supra, he was not entitled as sole plaintiff to recover damages for the loss of use of the stallion. As has been noted, this action was filed on June 2, 1964, and Sagner's right to sue in his name alone was questioned for the first time on May 18, 1970. Maryland Rule 323 a provides: The following defenses may at the option of the pleader be made by motion:    (8) want of necessary parties. Section c of that Rule provides: A motion raising one or more such defenses,    shall be filed before any other pleading on behalf of the party making the motion is filed   . (Emphasis supplied). This Rule merely enunciates what had previously been the law in this State. In Anderson v. Stewart, 108 Md. 340, 349, 351, 70 A. 228, 231, 232 (1908), a replevin action, a directed verdict had been rendered in favor of the defendant on the ground that there was a variance between the proffered proof (that the party entitled to possession was a partnership) and the declaration (that such party was an individual). This Court held (at 351): But even if there were held to be a variance in this case, it would upon the authority of Brown v. Ravenscroft, 88 Md. 216, be waived by failing to plead in abatement, and pleading over to the merits. In that case we adopted the reasoning and results of the decision in Wright v. Bennett, 3 Barb. 451, where it was said, `The plaintiff, as one of the joint owners of the property, is entitled to the possession as against a stranger, in which position the defendant stands, as he does not connect himself with the title of the other owners, who have been omitted, as plaintiffs, and there is great propriety in holding him to his plea in abatement, if he desires to avail himself of that omission, and the bare fact that the plaintiff with others, and not alone, owns the property, is no bar, either under the plea of non detinet or when specially pleaded, though it would be proper matter for plea in abatement.' (Emphasis in original.) This Court further held (at 108 Md. 349): The possession of one partner is the possession of all; and it is this principle which forbids that one partner or tenant in common, should maintain replevin against another. Where a single partner recovers in replevin firm property from a third person, his recovery is in right of the firm, and is the recovery of the firm. His possession before the wrongful taking was the possession of the firm, and his possession, after recovery and delivery of the property, is still the possession of the firm. The title is never put in issue at any time and is in no manner affected in such case. (Emphasis in original.) Accordingly, appellants waived their right to question Sagner's entitlement to possession and damages by failing to present the question by an appropriate and timely motion under Rule 323.