Court Opinion

ID: 7349485
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-26 01:41:48.097752+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:20:26.573627
License: Public Domain

BIJUR, J.
Plaintiff was-engaged for a fixed term by defendant as traveling salesman, and had what is commonly known as a “drawing account” of $25 per week. He sued for 3 weeks of this account, which, at the time of his alleged discharge, remained unpaid, and for 12 subsequent weeks’ installments. The defendant, besides its denial, sets up a counterclaim for the weekly amount “previously” advanced beyond the amount of commissions earned. On November 2, 1911, the trial judge rendered judgment for the plaintiff in the sum of $75. On November 6th the plaintiff made a motion for an order setting aside the judgment on the ground that the amount of damages was insufficient, and for further relief, under section 254 of the Municipal Court act (Laws 1902, c. 580). This motion was made returnable November 8th (the 7th being election day). On that day it appears, from an indorsement on the motion papers signed by the trial judge, that the hearing was adjourned. On November 24th the trial court changed the judgment to $150, writing the following memorandum:
“Judgment for $75 was rendered while the court was under the impression that the plaintiff had withdrawn the cause of action for breach of contract. Upon this motion being made, a further consideration of the testimony and an inspection of the minutes convinces me that such cause of action was not withdrawn. In view of this situation, the judgment must be corrected, and I fix the amount of damages as amended at $150, instead of $75.”
This, however, was not the correction of a judgment, in the sense in which that term is used in section 254 of the Municipal Court act, but was the rendition of a new judgment, and was, therefore, not warranted. Vitale v. Gants et al., 123 N. Y. Supp. 45.
For this reason, the judgment and order appealed from must be reversed, and a new trial ordered, with costs to appellant to abide the event. All concur.