{ "id": 4798702, "name": "Donker & Williams Co. vs. H. G. Vance", "name_abbreviation": "Donker & Williams Co. v. Vance", "decision_date": "1900-10-02", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "12", "last_page": "17", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "2 Ill. Cir. Ct. Rep. 12" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. Cir. Ct.", "id": 14968, "name": "Illinois Circuit Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "31 N. E. 1", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "133 N. Y. 678", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.Y.", "case_ids": [ 2251517, 2251500, 2251501 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ny/133/0678-03", "/ny/133/0678-01", "/ny/133/0678-02" ] }, { "cite": "16 N. Y. S. 958", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.Y.S.", "case_ids": [ 3392161, 3391683, 3392105, 3386861, 3388688 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nys/16/0958-04", "/nys/16/0958-05", "/nys/16/0958-03", "/nys/16/0958-01", "/nys/16/0958-02" ] }, { "cite": "27 Ohio C. C. 239", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ohio C.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "1 Ill. C. C. 74", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. C.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "1 Ill. C. C. 86", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. C.C.", "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "6 L. R. A. 653", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "L.R.A.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "17 Am. St. Rep. 1054", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Am. St. Rep.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "22 Pac. 1054", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "12 N. Y. S. 834", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.Y.S.", "case_ids": [ 4297476 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nys/12/0834-01" ] }, { "cite": "7 L. R. A. 381", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "L.R.A.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "42 Fed. 198", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.", "case_ids": [ 6731837 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f/42/0198-01" ] }, { "cite": "71 S. E. 986", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "91 Ga. 701", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ga.", "case_ids": [ 370365 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ga/91/0701-01" ] }, { "cite": "16 Fed. 37", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.", "case_ids": [ 6715692 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f/16/0037-01" ] }, { "cite": "38 N. Y. Super. Ct. 158", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.Y. Super. Ct.", "case_ids": [ 1408768 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ny-super-ct/38/0158-01" ] }, { "cite": "9 Misc 58", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Misc.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "30 N. Y. S. 122", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.Y.S.", "case_ids": [ 3537224 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nys/30/0122-01" ] }, { "cite": "14 N. Y. S. 134", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.Y.S.", "case_ids": [ 4297627 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nys/14/0134-01" ] }, { "cite": "19 N. Y. S. 962", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.Y.S.", "case_ids": [ 5638390 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nys/19/0962-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 599, "char_count": 11539, "ocr_confidence": 0.535, "pagerank": { "raw": 4.03580807328026e-08, "percentile": 0.1537226687733532 }, "sha256": "3275864268d00294693492d36ce8e3206363b2e7445c1d6c7dfe1ca3366d9cd4", "simhash": "1:ab79f15dc67f6300", "word_count": 1933 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T18:33:53.970599+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "Donker & Williams Co. vs. H. G. Vance." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Dunne, J. \u2014\nCan a mechanic who has contracted his services to an employer a definite period of time and who violates his contract, and quits his employer\u2019s service during the term of the contract be restrained by injunction from working elsewhere during the term of the contract? This is the legal proposition presented by the bill and demurrer filed in this cause.\nThe salient allegations of the bill are as follows, to-wit, that \u2018 defendant is competent, skilled and well versed in the leather-goods business and competent and able to take charge of and become foreman or superintendent of the leather goods department of complainant\u2019s business;\u201d that \u201chis knowledge- and skill are peculiar and special to himself;\u201d that complainant cannot \u201cfind any other person possessing the same peculiar skill and qualifications; \u2019 \u2019 that by reason of such qualifications complainant employed him as foreman for $18 a week in consideration, of which defendant agreed to give his whole time, skill and experience for a certain period and to work for no one else; that pursuant to said contract defendant entered' complainant\u2019s employ, worked for it about two years, became-acquainted with the names of the persons from whom complainant purchased its raw materials and the prices paid fertile same and the cost of production of the articles manufactured by complainant; that defendant has left complainant\u2019s-, employ and is engaging in business with others in competition with complainant; that \u201ccomplainant is absolutely unable to replace the defendant and cannot at the present time procure any other person possessed with the requisite skill and\", ability to carry on the services agreed to be performed by defendant.\u201d All these ailegatiins are admitted by the demurrer.\nAt the outset it will be conceded that specific performance of such a contract cannot be decreed. No court in any country where the common law prevails has ever attempted to compel one man to work for another no matter how solemnly he has contracted so to do. It is to be hoped that many years will yet elapse before such a decree will be entered. Nevertheless it is contended by counsel for complainant that while courts of equity will not affirmatively enforce the specific performance of such contracts they will negatively enforce'the performance of the same by enjoining the person so contracting from working elsewhere, and in support of their contention they cite numerous authorities. Hoyt v. Fuller, 19 N. Y. S. 962; Duff v. Russell, 14 N. Y. S. 134; Canary v. Russell, 30 N. Y. S. 122, 9 Misc 58; Daly v. Smith, 49 How. Prac. 150, 38 N. Y. Super. Ct. 158; Hayes v. Willio, 11 Abbott\u2019s Prac. N. S. 167; McCaull v. Braham, 16 Fed. 37. All of these cases on examination will be found to be not cases between master and servant or employer and employee providing for the rendering of services which would bring the contracting parties in close personal contact from day to day over a lapse of time, but pure theatrical contracts providing for the production of certain plays or exhibitions before the public and in all of them it would appear that large amounts of money had been expended' in providing theaters, advertising, etc., upon the faith of the contracts. Because of such expenditures and because the services contracted for were in their very nature unique and of an extraordinary character so that they could not be replaced, and consequently there could be no adequate remedy at law, the court of chancery has very properly intervened to prevent the contracting performers from exhibiting elsewhere. There is a plain distinction between such cases and cases involving the relation of master and servant or employer and employee. In the latter cases constant every day contact between the parties is common, if not absolutely essential. In 'the former it is uncommon and unnecessary. In the latter the servant is subject to the varying orders and directions of the master. In the former the theatrical performer is subject to no orders save such as are specified in the contract. In the latter the services are of a common every day character the loss of which can be supplemented by the services of others of a substantially similar character. In the former the services contracted for are always of a unique and extraordinary character incapable of duplication.\nCounsel for complainant has cited no case in which an employee has been enjoined at the instance of his employer from working for another. On the contrary as they admit the issuance of an injunction has been denied as asainst an insurance agent, in Burney v. Ryle, 91 Ga. 701, 71 S. E. 986. As against a base ball player, in Metropolitan Exhibition Co. v. Ewing, 42 Fed. 198, 7 L. R. A. 381. As against a lithographic designer in Strowbridge Lithographic Co. v. Crane, 20 Civ. Pro. 24, 12 N. Y. S. 834. And as against an acrobat in Cort v. Lassard, 18 Oreg. 221, 22 Pac. 1054, 17 Am. St. Rep. 1054, 6 L. R. A. 653.\nIt is not to be wondered at that counsel has not been able to cite cases enforcing, even negatively, by injunction the maintenance of the relation of master and servant where eitiier party objects thereto. In the judgment of this court it is against public policy to force an unwilling servant to work for his master, or an unwilling master to keep a servant after their relations to each other become strained and distasteful. To force them into daily contact with each other under such circumstances would be fraught with much more evil consequences than might flow from the breach of the contract of employment. Better far to leave them to their remedies at law, even though inadequate, than to force association and personal contact between hostile and unwilling parties.\nBut it may be said that there is a difference between enjoining a man from working for others and compelling him to work for one man in particular. In effect there is none. To say to a man, \u201cWork for me or nobody,\u201d if that man be, as is alleged of defendant, without means, is to say, \u2014 \u201cWork for me or starve. \u2019 \u2019 Such a heartless edict should not go out of a court of equity. That there are cases in which courts of equity have negatively enforced specific performance where it was impossible to do so by positive decree is not denied, but I have failed to find any arising between master and servant or employer and employee. Indeed it is against the spirit of the thirteenth amendment of the constitution of the United States which prohibits \u201cslavery and involuntary servitude\u201d within its borders. Involuntary servitude in juxtaposition to the word slavery has a significance. So placed it cannot mean the same as slavery else it is a redundancy. It must mean, servitude outside of slavery. Outside of slavery servitude can originate only by contract. No free man can become the servant of another except by consent, to-wit, by contract. Involuntary servitude can only arise therefore after-the consenting party changes his mind and becomes an unwilling servant \u2014 involens servitor. But, whether or not the relief sought for in this cause comes within the inhibition of the thirteenth amendment, the court is of the opinion that to grant the relief prayed for would be against sound public policy.\nIt is claimed that the allegation that \u201cthe knowledge and skill of defendant are peculiar and special to himself,\u201d and that \u201ccomplainant cannot at the present time procure any other person possessed of the requisite skill and ability to conduct the services agreed to be performed by defendant,\u201d places the cause in the same category as the theatrical cases hereinbefore cited, and that it should be governed by the rule laid down in those cases. The court is of a contrary opinion. These allegations are mere conclusions. No facts are set out to sustain them. It does not appear that defendant is acquainted with any special or secret processes or gifted with any special or unusual dexterity. The facts alleged are that he is a skillful and expert leather worker, thoroughly competent to act as foreman, and that he was employed at $18 a week. This does not place him in the. category of a prima donna, a tragedienne or a premier danseuse.\nThe demurrer is sustained and the injunction dissolved.\nNOTE.\nThe decision of Judge Dunne, while correct as applied to the facts in the case before the court, is clearly erroneous insofar as it holds that injunction will not lie to restrain an employee from breaking his contract of employment. Where the services of an employee are special, unique or extraordinary, injunction will lie to restrain such employee from working for others during the period of employment. The rule is not restricted to actors, singers, etc.\nThe authorities are fully reviewed in the note to Oppenheimer et al. v. Sayer, 1 Ill. C. C. 86. See also the decision of Judge Tuley in Oppenheimer et al. v. Sayer, 1 Ill. C. C. 74; Jennings v. Bethel, 27 Ohio C. C. 239. \u2014 Ed.\nS. C. 16 N. Y. S. 958, 133 N. Y. 678, 31 N. E. 1.\nSee the many cases cited in the note to 1 Ill. C. C. 86. \u2014 Ed.", "type": "majority", "author": "Dunne, J. \u2014" } ], "attorneys": [ "Pam, Calhoun & Glennon, solicitors for complainant.", "Rich & Loer, solicitors for defendant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "(Circuit Court of Cook County. In Chancery.)\nDonker & Williams Co. vs. H. G. Vance.\n(October 2, 1900.)\n1. Specific Performance \u2014 Contracts for Personal Services. Specific performance of a contract for personal services cannot be enforced.\n2. Contracts for Personal \u25a0 Services \u2014 Injunction to Restrain Breach of \u2014 What Services Are Unique and Extraordinary., A bill filed by an employer against an employee alleging that the defendant is competent, skilled and well versed in the leather goods business and competent to take charge of and become foreman or superintendent of the leather goods department of the complainant and that defendant\u2019s knowledge and skill are peculiar to him, and that complainant cannot find any other person possessing the same peculiar skill and qualifications; that by reason of such qualifications complainant employed defendant as foreman; that defendant entered complainant\u2019s employ, became acquainted with the names of the persons from whom complainant purchased raw materials, the prices paid for same and the cost of production of the articles manufactured; \u25a0 and that defendant has left said employment and is engaging in business with others in competition with complainant, does not state a case for an injunction.\n3. Contracts for Personal Services \u2014 Injunction. Will Not Lie to Restrain Breach of. The rule that injunction will lie to restrain the breach of a contract for personal services does not apply to contracts between master and servant. It is restricted \u2022 to cases of actors, players and the like where the services are unique and extraordinary.\n4. Same. There is no difference in principle between compelling a party to work for one man in particular and enjoining him from working for others.\n5. Constitutional Law \u2014 Slavery\u2014Involuntary Servitude \u2014 What Is. To compel a servant or employee to work for a particular person is against the spirit of the thirteenth amendment to the federal constitution which prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude. \u201cInvoluntarj servitude\u201d means servitude outside of slavery. No man can become the servant of another except by contract.\n<5. Pleading \u2014 Conclusions in. An allegation that the services of an employee are special and peculiar states a mere conclusion.\nBill to restrain employee from breaking employment contract. Heard on demurrer to bill before Judge Edward F.. Dunne.\nThe facts are stated in .the opinion.\nPam, Calhoun & Glennon, solicitors for complainant.\nRich & Loer, solicitors for defendant." }, "file_name": "0012-01", "first_page_order": 34, "last_page_order": 39 }