Cambeis v. Third Avenue Railroad — 48 N.Y. St. Rep. 709

Majority

p. 709

John F. Cambeis, Resp’t, v. The Third Avenue Railroad Co., App’lt.

(New York Common Pleas, General Term,

Filed November 7, 1892.)

Headnote

1. Railroad—Rights in street.

A railroad company has not an exclusive right to the part of the street used by it, but only a paramount fight.

p. 710

2. Negligence—Evidence.

In an action against a railroad company for injuries caused by alleged negligence, it is not error to receive proof on cross-examination of defendant's servant that he made an offer of money to plaintiff to settle the matter; such evidence being material to show his relation to the controversy.

3. Justice's coubt—Appeal.

A judgment of a justice's court, if conformable with law and justice, is not to be invalidated by technical errors of no moment to the substantial merits of the case.

Appeal from judgment on a verdict in a district court

Action for injuries to plaintiff’s wagon, caused by defendant’s negligence.

While plaintiff was driving ahead of the car on defendant’s ■cable track in a public street, and when in the act of turning off, his wagon was upset, and whether by being struck by the car or by too sharp a turn of the wagon was the main question in controversy on the trial.

Geo. Flint Warren, Jr., for resp’t; Benjamin Tuska, for app'lt.

Appellant challenges the judgment upon . the ground that, in respect both of defendant’s negligence and plaintiff’s non-negligence, the verdict is against the weight- of evidence. But how can we so affirm?

The fundamental question in the case is, was the upset of the wagon caused by a collision with the car, or by a quick and sharp turn off the track. There was positive testimony both for and against the fact of a collision; and the circumstances authorized inferences in favor as well of the affirmative as the negative of the proposition. Here was a problem peculiarly for solution by tne jury; and without observation of the witnesses we cannot say that credence was not accorded to the most trustworthy. Neither can we affirm that the inferences implied in the verdict are repugnant to a sound and impartial understanding.

The appellant insists, however, that in any event the non-negligence of the plaintiff is not sufficiently apparent. Here, again, was a conflict of evidence and a diversity of probable inferences for the jury; and again their decision is not so revolting to sense and conscience as to make the verdict irreconcilable with the interests of justice. Much of the confidence of appellant’s counsel on this point we ascribe to his conception of the' relative rights of the car and the wagon in the highway. He maintains that “ the company had the exclusive right to the part of the street used by it; ” and for support of "the proposition he relies upon casual expressions of judges in cases not call jpg for the remark. But, that such is not the law thé actual adjudications leave no room for doubt “ One traveling upon a city street has a right to drive his wagon upon or across the track of a street railroad * * * and the only limitation of the right is that he must not interfere with the passage of the cars: these have the preference in the use of the track.” Adolph v. R. R. Co., 65 N. Y., 554 .

p. 711

Again: “A street railroad company has not the exclusive right to the use of the tracks, but simply a paramount right; and while a person lawfully driving on the tracks may not recklessly, carelessly or wilfully obstruct the passage of the cars, he is not absolutely bound to keep off the tracks; and if he fairly and in a reasonable manner, respecting the paramount right of the corporation, is, without fault on his part, injured by carelessness or fault-chargeable to it, he may maintain an action for his damages.’3 Fleckenstein v. R. R. Co., 105 N. Y., 655 ; 8 St. Rep., 32 . Still7 again: “ A cable railway company operating dangerous machinery at a rapid speed on and along the public streets of the city is in law bound to know that men, women and children have an equal use of the highway, and will be upon it, and its servants are bound to be on the lookout, and to take all reasonable measures, to avoid injuries to persons who may be upon the street.” Winters v. R. Co., 99 Mo., 509 .

On a survey of the evidence, it is obvious to us that the judgment does not exhibit such a miscarriage of justice as requires its reversal.

But, the appellant imputes error to proof of an offer of money to plaintiff by defendant’s servant to settle the matter. No exception presents the competency of the evidence to our consideration ; but were it otherwise, we should sustain the ruling below, upon the ground that the fact was elicited on cross-examination,, and was material to show the relation of the witness to the controversy.

Again, appellant challenges the judgment for error of the court in refusing to charge particular requests, but we are of opinion that the case was well put to the jury, and that their verdict is in conformity with law and justice. The judgment of a justice’s court, if so conformable, is not to be invalidated by technical errors of no moment to the substantial merits of the case.

Judgment affirmed, with costs.

Bischoff, J., concurs.