Summary
In Noble v. Higgins (95 Misc. 328, 329) where it was held that plaintiff had no cause of action against the defendant restaurant for its refusal to serve him, under the Civil Rights Law, because the refusal was for personal reasons and not because of race, color or creed, the court stated: "The common-law right still remains with those not engaged as common carriers, or in like occupations, to discriminate between persons according to rules established where the person applying for accommodation is objectionable for some reason.
Summary of this case from Chief Letaiyo v. WoodOpinion
May, 1916.
John G. Johnson (A.L. Kellogg, of counsel), for the motion.
William L. Hilzinger (Edson A. Hayward), of counsel), opposed.
On December 10, 1915, the plaintiff entered the restaurant of the defendants in the city of Oneonta and asked to be served with certain food, offering at the same time to pay therefor. His request was refused and he was ordered to leave the premises. The plaintiff commenced an action to recover from the defendants a penalty pursuant to the provisions of chapter 6 of the Consolidated Laws, known as the Civil Rights Law, as amended by chapter 265 of the Laws of 1913.
The evidence was brief, simple and practically undisputed. At the close of the evidence both sides moved for the direction of a verdict, and the jury were formally directed at the time to find a verdict for the plaintiff, which they did, assessing the penalty at $100. All proceedings after the entry of the verdict were stayed until the court could consider the legal questions involved in the controversy.
The refusal to serve the plaintiff was apparently on purely personal grounds. The refreshment asked for by the plaintiff was not refused, withheld from or denied to him on account of race, creed or color. Therefore, it seems that the interpretation in the Court of Appeals in Grannan v. Westchester Racing Association, 153 N.Y. 449, as extended and applied under the present statute in Woollcott v. Shubert, 217 id. 212, forbids the application of the statute to the state of facts recited here.
It may be conclusively determined after an examination of the last-quoted authorities that "the legislature did not intend to confer upon every person all the rights, advantages and privileges in places of amusement or accommodation, which might be enjoyed by another. Any discrimination not based upon race, creed or color does not fall within the condemnation of the statute."
It would seem then that the common-law right still remains with those not engaged as common carriers, or in like occupations, to discriminate between persons according to rules established where the person applying for accommodation is objectionable for some reason. Otherwise, persons unclean, untidy, intoxicated or affected by disease might claim the same attention in a crowded restaurant or other public place as those against whom no objection could be urged. Brandt v. Mink, 38 Misc. 750.
Whether or not plaintiff had a remedy at common law for any indignity or humiliation caused by the act of the defendants need not be considered here, although some of the authorities cited on the plaintiff's brief discussed that question. The action is brought solely on the theory that the plaintiff is entitled to recover a penalty or forfeiture given under the Civil Rights Act where a violation occurs.
It follows that the verdict in favor of the plaintiff, rendered as directed by the court, must be set aside, and the defendants should have judgment dismissing the plaintiff's complaint on the merits.
Ordered accordingly.