Court Opinion

ID: 6467420
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-06-26 14:07:51.127859+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:53:43.090656
License: Public Domain

OPINION OP THE COURT. MILLS, C. J. — The errors relied on by the appellants in this appeal are condensed by their attorney into two, to-wit:  1 That an attorney cannot transfer an executive agreement whereby he undertakes to supply professional ability and knowledge without the consent of the other contraetural partjr; and  2 That the consideration for the note and mortgage sued on failed, first, because of the abandonment of the object of the employment by Johnston and Finical, and, second, because the stipulated work had not been done under the contract, and that therefore the plaintiffs have no cause of action. As to the alleged error numbered “1,” we think that it correctly states the law, but in the findings of facts made by the trial court, that court finds, that the contract for the employment of Dobson by Johnston “was made with the aequiesence, direction and consent of said defendants,” consequently we shall have to search the record to> see if there is evidence to sustain this finding: The evidence discloses that Johnston wrote one of the defendants, R. L. Baca, Esq., who seems to have acted for them all — at Santa Fe, saying that some ten days before he had written him, saying that he had to give up the practice of law on account of his health, reminding him that he (Johnston) and Finical held the note for fees in the case, and stating that he desired to make arrangements with some one to go on with the case upon a division of the fee. Other letters and telegrams are in evidence, one dated July 1, 1901, from Johnston to Baca, saying, that he had turned over the matter to Mr. Dob-son, as per request, and a telegram from Mr. McMillan to Mr. Baca, which reads as follows, to-wit: “Johnston sick, Dobson has charge of case.” Mr. Dobson testified that Mr. Johnston told him that he was going to quit the practice of law on account of his health, that he had three cases in which Mr. Baca and the other members of his family were interested, and “that Mr. Baca had suggested or agreed that he turn the cases over to me to be completed.” Transcript of Record, p. 70, and on p. 71, Transcript of Record, he testified that “Mr. Baca came down from Santa Fe and came up to see me, and asked me if Mr. Johnston had turned over those papers to me, and I told him that he had, and further on the same page he testified: “I told Mr. Baca that I had this arrangement with Joiinston. He did not object to it or did not complain.” On cross examination of Mr. Baca, by the intervenor, Mr. Dobson, the following questions and answers were given: (Q) Don’t you know as a matter of fact that before Mr. Johnston brought the cases to me that you had intimated that you were willing I should represent you in these cases ? (A) Yes, sir. (Q) Before he turned the papers over didn’t you express the desire to have me employed to succeed him? (A) Yes; I expressed a desire.” (Transcript of Record, pages 65 and 66.) The record further shows that Mr. Dobson fought the cases with great ability and determination. We think that this documentary and verbal testimony amply sustains the finding of the court “that said contract was made with the acquiescence, direction and consent of said defendants.” In fact we cannot conceive how it would have been possible for the court to have made any other finding, and as the defendants had knowledge of and consented to the change of attorneys, the first alleged error is disposed of and falls to the ground. This leaves only the last part of the second alleged error for us to consider, to-wit: That because the.stipulated work had not been done under the contract that the plaintiffs have no cause of action. It will be observed that the note is in the form of many of those used in this territory, except that it is payable in gold coin. It is a negotiable instrument, payable on or before one year after date, and bears interest at the rate of 12% per annum from maturity until paid, and provides for an attorneys’ fee of 10% on amount unpaid if placed for collection in the hands of an attorney. There are no restrictions in it. The mortgage also is in the ordinary form of those used in this territory, and contains no restrictions regarding foreclosure. It is an axiom of law that in all civil cases the burden of -proof is on the party holding the affirmative of any issue. In the trial below, when the plaintiff introduced the note and mortgage in evidence, a prima facie case was made, and the plaintiff was entitled to judgment as prayed for, unless evidence was introduced by defendants to defeat the claim. At this point the burden of proof shifted to the defendants, and it became necessary for them to prove by a preponderance of the evidence the affirmative matter set up in their amended answer, viz: that the note did not become due and payable until all of the suits which Johnston and Finical were to attend to on behalf: of the defendants should be finally disposed'of. In making this proof we think that appellants have failed. Mr. R. L. Baca testified, as appears on page 58 oi the Transcript of Record, as follows: “(Q) What did lie, or the firm, agree to do? (A) 'The firm agreed to take care of these three cases for $2500 in the district court and in the supreme court of New Mexico, and for that purpose I was to give them security for their labor and work that they were to render, and that this security would never be demanded of me until the entire three cases were entirety adjudicated;” and again, on page 67, Transcript of Eecord, Mr. Baca testified in response to a question, as follows: (A) “We will take care of these cases for $2500.00. You give me the security for the work we are to perform, and you can make a mortgage on the property, signed by the different parties and members of yoiir family, so that we may be secured, and when the cases are over, why then payment will be due.” We do not think that this testimony is enough to vary the terms of the note sued on, or that by it the defendants proved by a preponderance of the evidence the affirmative matter set up in their answer, that the note was not to be paid until the suits were finally ended. In addition, our legislature has, and we think wisely, provided that in a suit by or against the heirs, executors, administrators or assigns of a deceased person, an opposite or interested party shall not obtain a verdict, judgment or decision therein on his own evidence in respect to any matter occurring before the death of the deceased person, unless such evidence is corroborated by some other material evidence.” See. 3021, Compiled Laws of 1897. The testimony of Mr. Baca as to all matters occurring before the death of Mr. Johnston, being uncorroborated, is not in any event sufficient to overturn the presumption raised by the possession of this .unpaid note by the administratrix. There is no error in the record, and the judgment of the court below is therefore affirmed and the cause is remanded to the district court of Valencia county, for further proceedings, and it is so ordered. Wan. TI. Pope, A. J., John E. McFie, A. J.> Edward A. Mann, A. J., Frank W. Parker, A. J., concur. Abbott, A J., having heard the case below took no part in this decision.