Court Opinion

ID: 6696844
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 21:54:14.545094+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:01:16.627953
License: Public Domain

Clarkson, J.
C. S., 3032. “The holder of a negotiable instrument may sue thereon in his own name, and payment to him in due course discharges the instrument.”
*237C. S., 3033. “A bolder in due course is a bolder wbo bas taken tbe instrument under tbe following conditions:
(1) Tbat tbe instrument is complete and regular upon its face.
(2) Tbat be became tbe bolder of it before it was overdue and without notice tbat it bas been previously dishonored, if such was tbe fact.
(3) Tbat be took it for good faith and value.
(4) That at tbe time it was negotiated to him be bad no notice of any infirmity in tbe instrument or defect in tbe title of tbe person negotiating it.”
Tbe plaintiff Finance Company claims it is tbe bolder of tbe note and title retaining contract of R. E. Zimmerman in due course; tbat tbe note is complete and regular on its face, and tbat it became tbe bolder before it was overdue; tbat it took tbe note and title retaining contract for good faith and value; tbat at tbe time it took tbe note it bad no notice of any infirmity or defect in tbe title of tbe Truck Company negotiating it; tbat there was no error in tbe charge of tbe court below on tbe third issue, and tbe judgment should be sustained.
Tbe defendant Mills Company, on tbe contrary, says tbat tbe Finance Company is not a bona fide bolder of tbe note for value, before maturity and in due course; tbat tbe note in tbe possession of tbe Finance Company is subject to all equities and defenses existing between it and Zimmerman, wbo was an agent of tbe Truck Company; tbat tbe Finance Company dealing with tbe Truck Company was not a purchaser, but an agent for collection. These are tbe contentions. Is there any evidence to support tbe position of tbe Mills Company?
In Hancock v. Southgate, 186 N. C., 282, the Court said: “Where there is any evidence to support plaintiff’s claim, it is tbe duty of a judge to submit it to tbe jury, and tbe weight of such evidence is for tbe jury to determine.”
In Temple v. LaBerge, 184 N. C., 254, tbe principle applicable is stated as follows: “Tbe rule prevails with us, and it is supported by tbe weight of authority elsewhere, tbat if a bank discounts a paper and places tbe amount, less tbe discount, to tbe credit of the endorser, with tbe right to check on it, and reserves tbe right to charge back tbe amount if tbe paper is not paid, by express agreement or one implied from tbe course of dealing, and not by reason of liability on tbe endorsement, tbe bank is an agent for collection and not a purchaser. Packing Co. v. Davis, 118 N. C., 548; Cotton Mills v. Weil, 129 N. C., 452; Davis v. Lumber Co., 130 N. C., 176, and Bank v. Exum, 163 N. C., 202. Worth v. Feed Co., 172 N. C., 342.”
Tbe fact tbat tbe officers of tbe Finance Company testified tbat its company is tbe owner of tbe note, and they purchased it in due course bona fide for value and before maturity, is not conclusive if tbe Mills *238Company should show by facts and circumstances to the contrary. The weight of the evidence, pro and con, was for the jury. What are some of the facts and circumstances relied on by the Mills Company?
Exhibit “F,” agreement between Truck Company and Finance Company of 1 April, 1920:
(1) That the Truck Company here undertakes to perform and desires to sell to the Finance Company accounts receivable, notes, leases, mortgages, contracts, and choses in action, hereinafter designated “accounts,” evidencing sales and deliveries of personal property.
(2) That the Truck Company will not sell or assign any of its accounts elsewhere without first giving ten days written notice to Finance Company of such intentions.
For the “accounts” the Finance Company is to pay 10 per cent of actual net amounts thereof less charge equal to the legal rate of interest on the purchase-money outstanding during the period it is outstanding; also charge 1-30 of 1 per cent of the net face amount of accounts for each day from the date of purchase by until paid to Finance Company, plus $5 per $1,000- on the first $100,000 of accounts purchased within any twelve successive months period. Subject to an additional charge of 1-5 of 1 per cent on the face of all accounts purchased. Ninety per cent of the actual net amount thereof shall be paid in cash upon acceptance of such accounts of the Truck Company. Ten per cent is held back and thereafter applied to the payment of any accounts that are in any manner affected by any breach or violation of any warranty of the Truck Company.
The second article of the said contract, in part, provides: “In order to avoid objections by, and any possible loss of trade from any of its customers through the Finance Company collecting the said accounts direct from the debtors, and to obtain from the Finance Company the right and privilege which is hereby given to make collections at the office of the Truck Company of all accounts sold to the Finance Company, the Truck Company will pay the Finance Company for the salaries and all expenses of travel of auditors of the Finance Company who shall have the right to call every thirty days or oftener and inspect, audit, check and make extracts from the books, accounts, records, orders, original correspondence and other papers of the Truck Company relating to accounts sold hereunder, as provided in the bond hereinafter referred to, or as required and directed by the Finance Company.”
There is also this provision in the contract: “Should the debtor named in such account fail or refuse to receive, accept or retain or return the property evidenced by such account, or should said property be rerouted or reconsigned, then the title to said property or property exchanged therefor, with the right to sell or otherwise dispose thereof, *239and tbe title to any new account created through the resale thereof, shall be and remain in the Finance Company.”
Exhibit “G” is headed: Original Certificate Or. 235752 — page .
Showing reserve 10 per cent taken out.
E. M. "Willingham gave an individual “Guaranty and Waiver” bond. The Truck Company also gave a $50,000 surety bond, signed by E. G. Deckner, to the Finance Company.
All this and other matters of the dealings between the Finance Company and the Truck Company was more than a scintilla of evidence to go to the jury, its weight is for them to determine on this aspect of the case whether the bank is an agent for collection and not a holder or purchaser in due course.
The next proposition, under contract Exhibit “E,” it provides: “And to obtain from Finance Company the right and privilege which is hereby given (italics ours), to make collections at the office of the Truck Company of all accounts sold to the Finance Company.”
If the Truck Company had the right to make the collection from R. E. Zimmerman of the note and retaining title contract, was Zimmerman a dealer, or was there any evidence that he was the Truck Company’s agent in this matter? Was the sale to the defendant Mills Company ratified by the Truck Company? These matters are for a jury to determine under proper instructions in the court below on the hearing.
On this phase of the case, the Mills Company contends: The Truck Company and R. E. Zimmerman had written agreement between them regarding the handling of trucks. The agreement in force at the time, Exhibit “C” and Exhibit “D,” which are the same except in the copy describing the territory in which Zimmerman operated there is this clause (Exhibit “C”) : “And in any open territory in North Carolina until same is closed with other dealers.” Exhibit “D” is the same except in lieu of the words quoted there are these words: “And any other open territory in North Carolina until same is closed by manufacturer to another agent.”
The court below ruled out the testimony of J. A. Elliott as to the sign in the store and roads “Agent Superior Motor Trucks.”
The court below ruled out the evidence offered as to the sign in the place of business of R. E. Zimmerman having on it “R. E. Zimmerman, Agent of Superior Motor Trucks.” Also the evidence that E. M. Willingham, who was president'of the Truck Company, sent the sign that was placed in the place of business; also like signs posted along the public highways leading into Thomasville. Also the testimony of R. E. Zimmerman that Willingham visited Thomasville and knew and authorized the sign to be put up and gave him authority to sell the trucks. In Exhibit “D” the words “another agent” are used.
*240As to the authority of Willingham and Deckner to hind the Truck Company, Exhibit “E” is signed, “Superior Motor Truck Company, by E. M. Willingham, Prest. Attest: E. G. Deckner, Secty.” The evidence, if believed, from the record shows that the declarations of these officials were made in line of their official duty. Beck v. Wilkins-Ricks Co., 186 N. C., 213, and cases cited.
We think the evidence ruled out and excepted to in the court below competent, from the view we take of this case.
The. competency of the testimony of the officials of the motor company, in the instant case, does not conflict with what was said in Bank v. Mfg. Co., 186 N. C., 744.
In the agreement, Exhibit “E,” this language is used: “Should the party (R. E. Zimmerman) of the first part sell the truck on which there is an outstanding note in favor of the party of the second part (Superior Motor Truck Company), immediately upon the sale of said truck he will take up said outstanding note.” Although this agreement is dated 11 March, 1918, it is a circumstance, under the facts in this case, to go to the jury, to corroborate R. E. Zimmerman. R. E. Zimmerman testified: “Mr. Willingham (president of the company) and Mr. Deck-ner (secretary and treasurer of the company) gave me permission to sell all the trucks. Mr. Deckner was in my office at the time the sale of this particular truck was made. Mr. Deckner suggested that I take up the note that was due previous to the lióte sued on. He was present when the sale was made and knew I got the check, and saw it. This is the check that I showed Mr. Deckner.
“By the Court: What is the date of that ? A. 12 May, 1920.
“By the Court: What is the date of this instrument (Exhibit B) ?
“By Mr. Smith: The note and contract of conditional sale are dated 17 April, 1920, and the certificate of indebtedness transferring it to the Finance Company, 22‘ April, 1920.
“Defendant offered in evidence cheek dated 12 May, 1920 — $1,700.”
This testimony was excluded and exception taken in court below. We think this was error.
The testimony of Miss Haynes, whose evidence was excluded, was to this effect: “In May, 1920, 1 was employed by R. E. Zimmerman, doing stenographic work. I know E. G. Deckner. , I met him in office. He remained at Thomasville about ten days. He came to Mr. Zimmerman’s office and place of business every day. I heard Deckner say, in regard to the two-ton truck sold to the Amazon Cotton Mills, that it was a quick sale. He saw the check of the Amazon Cotton Mills in the office. The check was on the desk in front of him.” This testimony was excluded in the court below. We think this was error.
*241We think, from the facts and circumstances of this case and the view we take, that the evidence above set 'forth, which was excluded and like evidence as appears from the record, there was error, and on another trial the evidence should be held competent.
“Where the mortgagee expressly or impliedly consents to a sale of the mortgaged property by the mortgagor, he waives his lien, and the purchaser takes the title free from the same.” 11 C. J., 624. Even an unexecuted verbal agreement, made by a mortgagee for a valuable consideration, to release a real estate mortgage, does not come within the statute of frauds. Stevens v. Turlington, 186 N. C., 191.
This evidence would only become material if the jury should find that the Finance Company was not the owner in due course of the Zimmerman note and title retaining contract.
We think the court below was in error in its charge to the jury on the third issue.
In Williams v. Mfg. Co., 177 N. C., 515, Walker, J., says: “There was evidence given for the defendant which conflicted with that introduced by the plaintiff, but the jury alone could settle this conflict; and while the plaintiff did not make out a strong case, but rather a weak one, when we review all the facts in concourse, we cannot withdraw the case from the jury, who are the triers of the facts, if there is any evidence reasonably tending to support the plaintiff’s allegations,” citing Wittkowsky v. Wasson, 71 N. C., 451; Byrd v. Express Co., 139 N. C., 273, and cases cited.
For the reasons given in this case there must be a
New trial.