Opinion
10569
January 31, 1921.
Before SEASE, J., Laurens, April term, 1920. Reversed.
Action by Columbus Hughes against H.L. Blakeley.
This is an action on a share cropper's contract, whereby plaintiff agreed to perform labor on defendant's farm for a specified period in consideration for a share of crops grown on such farm and gathered by plaintiff. Plaintiff alleged that defendant breached the contract and prayed for an accounting. Defendant denied such breach, alleged that plaintiff had destroyed a well and damaged buildings on the farm while in possession thereof under the contract, and interposed a counterclaim for damages sustained.
From order striking out a portion of the counterclaim, the defendant appeals.
Messrs. Simpson, Cooper Babb, for appellant, cite: Misconduct of servant will justify discharge: 26 Cyc. 990-2; Ann. Cas. 1916a, 1022. Motive of master immaterial if legal ground for discharge exists: 26 Cyc. 995; 140 Am. St. Rep. 1052; 120 Am. St. Rep. 891. Servant liable to master for negligence occasioned by negligence or misconduct: 26 Cyc. 1023: Employer sued for services may set off damages arising from misconduct of servant: 26 Cyc. 1054; 43 S.C. 63. Misconduct that will warrant discharge: 20 A. E Enc. Law (2d Ed.) 27; 204 Fed. 537.
Mr. Phil. D. Huff, for respondent, cites: Destruction of well and buildings was a tort and he must allege in his answer facts showing that tort is of such a nature that he is entitled to waive it and sue in assumpsit: 19 Enc. P. P 762. Did not grow out of the same transaction: 20 N.Y. 281, 285; Pom. Rem. Rem. Rts. (2d Ed.) 809-10; 72 Or. 207; 115 N.Y. Supp. 121; 33 Barb. 320-321.
Mr. O.L. Long, for respondent, cites: Counterclaim: Code Proc. 1912, sec. 200. Examples: 25 S.C. 506; Pom. Rem Rem. Rts., sec. 775; L.R.A. 1916c, 500, 509.
January 31, 1921. The opinion of the Court was delivered by
In this appeal the only exception is as follows:
"Because his Honor, the presiding Judge, erred, it is respectfully submitted, in striking out of defendant's alleged counterclaim the words and left the premises of defendant after destroying a well thereon and damaging the buildings, the error being that defendant was entitled to the benefit of said allegation as a defense and counterclaim to plaintiff's cause of action, which was one for an accounting on a settlement between landlord and laborer, and the destruction of the building and well constituted elements of damage properly deductible from the amount, if any due, by the defendant to the plaintiff, and constituted a breach of the contract between the plaintiff and the defendant by the plaintiff."
It is only necessary to cite the case of Haygood v. Boney, 43 S.C. 63, 20 S.E. 803, to show that the ruling was erroneous.
Reversed.
MR. JUSTICE GAGE did not participate.