Law v. Brinker

• Decision Date: 01 April 1883
• Citation: 6 Colo. 555
• Parties: LAW v. BRINKER
• Court: Colorado Supreme Court

6 Colo. 555

LAW v. BRINKER

Supreme Court of Colorado

April, 1883

Appeal from County Court of Arapahoe County.

THE case is stated in the opinion.

Mr. L J. LAW, for appellant.

Mr. R D. THOMPSON, for appellee.

HELM J.

We cannot review the judgment in this case upon the evidence. A jury was expressly waived by the parties, and the cause was tried to the court. No exception was taken or allowed to the judgment, and we are therefore without jurisdiction to consider the testimony except as hereinafter indicated. Session Laws 1879, p. 225, sec. 24; Colorado Springs Co v. Hopkins, 5 Col. 206. See, also, construction of a similar statute by the supreme court of the territory. Phelps v. Spruance, 1 Col. 414.

The bill of exceptions does not purport to contain all the testimony; and for this reason, also, we are precluded from reviewing the judgment upon the evidence. Gordon v Darnell, 5 Col. 302; Martin v. Force, 3 Col. 199.

The foregoing rules of practice, however, only prevent our considering the evidence for the purpose of determining its sufficiency to sustain the judgment. We may still pass upon assignments of error resting on exceptions duly reserved at the trial to the admission or rejection of testimony, or to other rulings which are subject to review in this court. Patten v. The Coen and Ten Broecke Co. 3 Col. 265; The Colorado Springs Co. v. Hopkins, supra.

The action was brought upon a bill of exchange by appellee against appellant and one Dickey. Appellee was the drawer thereof and also the payee therein named; appellant and said Dickey were the drawees, and each indorsed thereon his unconditional acceptance in writing.

By so doing they became severally liable for the payment thereof; they occupy the same position as co-makers of a promissory note. Having voluntarily placed himself in this attitude, appellant could not plead a want of consideration for his acceptance. Anderson v. Anderson, 4 Dana, 352; Grant v. Ellicott, 7 Wend. 227; Nowak v. Excelsior Stone Co. 78 Ill. 307; Towsley v. Sumrall, 2 Peters, 183; Diensey v. Loeb, 22 Ill. 393.

He could not invoke the rules controlling the liability of one who is an accommodation surety for the drawer of a bill of exchange, even if such rules are as claimed by counsel; for as above stated, appellee was also the payee, and the accommodation was not rendered to him but to Dickey, appellant's co-acceptor. As between Dickey and appellee, the proofs establish a good and sufficient consideration, to wit, an extension of time for payment of the debt for which the bill of exchange was given. ...