Willcox & Gibbs Sewing MacHine Co. v. Ewing

Citations

• 141 U.S. 627
• 12 S. Ct. 94
• 35 L. Ed. 882
• 1891 U.S. LEXIS 2553

Syllabus

<p>A contract of agency, which leaves the agent free to terminate his relations with the principal upon reasonable notice, must be construed to confer the same right upon the principal, unless provisions to the contrary are stipulated.</p> <p>A provision-in a contract, otherwise-terminable upon reasonable notice, that a violation of the spirit of the agreement shall be a sufficient cause for its abrogation, does not imply that it can b$ abrogated only for sufficient, cause.</p> <p>The plaintiff in error by contract appointed the defendant in error “ its exclusive vendor ” for its machines in a defined territory; agreed to sell the machines to Him at a large discount from its retail New York prices; and not to “ knowingly supply its goods at a discount to go within that territory.” The defendant in error accepted the appointment; agreed'' to pay for the machines at the discount rate\; not to sell them below the said retail rate; and not to solicit orders within the territory of other agents. Held