Court Opinion

ID: 9811862
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 22:30:53.549598+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:21:59.406294
License: Public Domain

Furches, C. J.,
dissenting. The defendant offered evidence that it was not the owner of the vessel called the “City of Jacksonville,” but that it belonged to the De Bays Merchants’ Line, of New York, and the jury found that the defendant was not the owner of the “City of Jacksonville.” It also appears that the defendant never bad any benefit from the plaintiff’s services on said vessel. Tbis being so, the plaintiff could only recover upon bis contract, if be could recover at all. He could not recover on the doctrine of quantum meruit, as be got no benefit. It is admitted that the defendant is a corporation, and, as such, could only contract by deed through its agent, and they could only make a contract, which would bind the defendant, when made within the line and scope of the business of the corporation; The officers could not make a contract with the plaintiff to repair a vessel which the defendant company did not own and bad no interest in, that would be binding upon the defendant company. Sucb a contract, if made (and this is denied), was *656ultra, vires, and had no binding force or effect on the defendant. This is shown from the facts and testimony in the case, and it is found by the jury that the defendant was not the owner of the “City of Jacksonville,” the vessel wrecked, and received no benefit from the plaintiff’s labor. And the Court calls ibis a plea in confession and avoidance, and a matter of fact for the jury. This is new to me, that ultra vires is a question of fact to- be found by the jury. The evidence and findings that the defendant was not the owner of the vessel, and never received any benefit from the services of the plaintiff, I think, showed the ultra vires of the contract (if ever made), and presented a question of law for the Court and not for the jury. The plaintiff makes out bis case' — must recover upon bis right of action; and if be made out a case for the defendant, that was sufficient; the defendant need not show anything.
Montgomery, J., concurs in the dissenting opinion.