Court Opinion

ID: 7094129
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-24 12:09:04.821076+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:13:11.340076
License: Public Domain

Wright, J".
Nw tbial: ered'evidence, It seems that Lawson held a note against Patterson & Casebeer; that he, at one time, brought suit on it, and that they, in their answer, made a claim against him for sawing.
That action was settled prior to the time McLain was sued in this. His (McLain’s) name is not mentioned in the account, annexed to the answer of Patterson & Casebeer,. but a portion of the sawing therein mentioned was done for him. Before the trial in this case (in 1865), McLain and his attorneys made search for this answer and the entire pleadings — using all necessary diligence — believing that they were important to his defense and as tending to contradict and disprove the claim as made by Lawson in his petition. Their search was unsuccessful, but they made no effort to continue the case on account of the loss of such papers, or otherwise. They were found a short time before filing the petition for a new trial, and this is a part of the newly discovered evidence, which appellant claims he should have an opportunity to introduce, and which he insists will entitle him, with one other item of evidence, to a verdict.
That other item is this: a witness who testified in the former trial, will “ state that Lawson, about the time he settled with Patterson & Casebeer, spoke of getting an account against McLain; that they would not pay interest, but if he got the account he would make him pay interest.” And thus we have the case made for a new trial.
It was properly refused. We make no question as to the appellant’s diligence in endeavoring to discover and produce this testimony. This is conceded. But as to. *279the record, he knew of its existence, and yet made no effort either to continue the cause, that he might have time to produce it, or to prove its contents — as a lost paper — notwithstanding the contents were known. The account was copied from a book, for instance, kept by Patterson & Casebeer, and no reason is shown why this was not produced.
Then, again, there were those present who copied the same. Not only so, but the whole nature of this account, how it originated and every tiling connected with it was as fully shown as it could possibly be by this record. So, also, what Lawson is alleged to have said to the -witness and which is relied upon as newly discovered evidence, was in substance before the jury on the former trial. If, however, in this we are mistaken, we remark, that the testimony would seem to strengthen rather than weaken plaintiff’s case. The claim, that it is against the recovery grows out of the fact, that Law'son sued for sawing done at his request, whereas the evidence -would tend to show a purchase of the account. In the stage of the case," when made, the objection is purely technical. The petitioner must stand upon a defense meritorious, and attack the merits of plaintiff’s claim in this proceeding. Courts should not grant new trials for this cause when it is apparent that the applicant is relying upon technical ground, and when the substantial rights of the parties have been once fairly settled and adjudicated. Not only so, but all this evidence was fairly cumulative. If not so, giving it all the weight that can possibly be claimed for it, we do not see how it could change the result. Add to this the significant fact, that no motion was made for a new trial, at the rendition of the verdict; that no complaint was made against the rulings of the court, either in admitting or rejecting evidence, *280or otherwise, and we have no hesitation whatever in ordering the judgment below to stand
Affirmed.