Carney v. Emmons

9 Wis. 114 | Wis. | 1859

By the Court,

Cole J.

From the view which we have taken of this case, it becomes quite immaterial to consider whether the proceedings in the attachment suit of Robinson against Dorr were regular or not. Neither will it be necessary to inquire whether by the attachment and subsequent sale, under these proceedings, any other or greater interest was or could be transferred to the purchaser than that which Dorr actually had in the property, at the time the lien attached, under these proceedings. Our impression certainly is, that if the respondent had established, by proper and competent evidence, the fact that Dorr only held the legal title to the property attached as trustee, and that the equitable estate was vested in some other person, that all the purchaser, in that case, would have taken at the sale, would have been the precise interest which Dorr had, and no other. Plowever, this proposition the counsel for the appellants declined to discuss ; and its determination does not become material in the present disposition of the case.

In order to set aside the proceedings under the attachment suit and subsequent sale, it was incumbent upon the respondent to show that Dorr really held the property as trustee, and this fact should have been established by competent testimony aliunde the decree in the suit of Griffith vs. Dorr. Now the fundamental error in the decision of the circuit court was in holding that this decree was sufficient to show Dorr’s right in the property, and was conclusive upon the appellant's as to the equitable rights of John Griffith therein. The attachment suit was instituted some time before the commencement of the chancery suit of Griffith vs. Dorr, and the effect of it was to fasten upon whatever interest Dorr had in the property at the time the lien attached under the former proceedings. This interest became vested in the appellants. By what principle, then, can it be said that the appellants are concluded by the decree in the subsequent chancery suit, and bound by proceedings instituted to settle Griffith’s interest in this property, after their rights had by relation attached, and when they were neither parties nor privies to that record ? For certainly Robinson was no party to the suit of Griffith, vs. Dorr, and consequently could not be affected by any decree rendered in that cause. Besides, his attachment proceedings were commenced more than a year anterior to the Griffith suit. Robinson might, perhaps, have been made a party to that suit, or brought in by a proper proceeding so that he would have been concluded by the decree. But this was not done.

It wa? contended on the argument that Robinson could have been admitted to make a defense to the suit of Griffith vs. Dorr, and might have examined, witnesses, taken an appeal, &c., and therefore ought to be bound by the decree. There is a class of cases, undoubtedly, where a party interested in the subject matter of the litigation, will be let in to prosecute or defend, and when he does so, or an opportunity is seasonably given, so that he can control the proceedings, such party will be bound by the result These cases are very familiar to the profession, and need not be referred to. But we do not suppose Robinson was under any more obligation to defend the Griffith suit, than any creditor is bound to make himself a party to litigation, which affects his debtor’s property.

The general principle has been long established, “ that a transaction between two parties in judicial proceedings, ought not to be binding on a third, for it would be unjust to bind any person who could not be admitted to make a defense, or to examine witnesses, or to appeal from a judgment he might think erroneous.” This doctrine, so clearly and comprehensively stated by Chief Justice de Grey in the Dutchess of Kingston’s case, has been repeatedly reaffirmed in a vast number of cases in England and in the United States. (See 2 Smith’s Lead. Cases, marginal paging 424, and following cases and notes; 4 Cowen & Hill’s Notes to Phil. Ev. Note 1, et seq.) How, then, can it be said that the appellants were concluded by the adjudication in the case of Griffith vs. Dorr, a case commenced subsequent to the attachment suit, and to which they were strangers ? Manifestly they could not be. It became, therefore, necessary for the respondent to show, by good and sufficient proof aliunde the decree, that D orr only held the legal title to the property as trustee of Griffith; and that no valuable interest could pass to the purchasers at the attachment sale. This not having been done, the judgment of the circuit court must be reversed on that ground.

It was suggested, on the argument by the counsel for the respondent, that some very important testimony, had been discovered since the trial in the court below, which went clearly to establish the fact that the real equitable interest in the property belonged to Griffith at the commencement of the attachment suit, and the request was interposed, that if we should be compelled to reverse the judgment of the circuit court, we would send the cause back for a new trial. This is what would be under the old practice a chancery case, being a proceeding to remove a cloud upon the respondent’s title, and we are not aware that in equity cases, after reversing the decree of the court below, the appellate court has ever ordered a new trial, or permitted the cause to be again opened, and new proof taken. Such a proceeding would be most inconvenient and oppressive to parties. And we do not think this practice has been changed, in what were equity cases, by the adoption of the code of proceedure. This court so decided in the case of Miner vs. Medbury, 7 Wis., 100, when the question was directly presented by a motion made in that case. Although this court, therefore, could not order a new trial in this cause, so as to enable the respondent to avail himself of his newly discovered evidence, we think it would be very proper, under the circumstances, and really no great hardship to the appellants, if the circuit court, in its discretion, should permit the respondent to dismiss his complaint, without prejudice, on payment of costs.

The judgment of the circuit court is reversed, and the cause remanded for further proceedings, in accordance with this opinion.