Cutler v. Howard

| Wis. | Oct 11, 1859

By the Court,

Dixon, C. J.

This case presents but a single question for our consideration, and because its determination in one way would in effect destroy the right of every citizen making a will to select according to his own judgment the person whom he would have execute it, and to whom he would commit the management of his affairs, and the interests of his family after his decease, it becomes one of vast importance. It turns upon the meaning of the word “ may/’ as used in § 9, of chapter 98 of the Revised Statutes. Did the legislature intend by it to give the county courts a discretion in the several cases named in the section to remove or not to remove executors ? Or was it their intention to make it obligatory upon them to do so ? On the part of the appellant the former proposition is maintained, whilst the respondent’s counsel insists upon the latter as the law of the case. The sense in which this word is to be taken, whether permissive or compulsory in various statutes, has been a fruitful source of difficulty and discussion in the courts and at the bar, both in England and America, and in prosecuting this cause the counsel have saved us much labor and trouble by citing and discussing nearly all the cases which have a bearing upon it. Looking to the true test of principle involved in it, we think little doubt can remain as to the construction to be put upon the word in the present instance. It is not contended by the respondent’s counsel that the word is not to be understood according to its ordinary grammatical sense, which is permissive merely, unless it falls within the rule of construction, by which it is to be understood to mean must or shall.

That rule as deduced from all the authorities is, to use the clear and explicit language of Chancellor Kent, in Newburgh Turnpike Co. vs. Miller, 5, John. Ch. R, 113, “that the word may means must or shall only in cases where the public interests or rights are concerned; and where the public or third persons have a claim de jure that the power should be exercised.” For the complete application of this rule, it only-remains to be determined in what cases the rights or interests of the public or third persons are concerned and where they have a claim de jure to the exercise of the power; and here fortunately there is no disagreement among the authorities. The cases fully establish the doctrine that when public corporations or officers are authorized to perform an act for others, which benefits them, that then the corporations or officers are bound to perform the act. The power is given to them not for their own, but for the benefit of those in whose behalf they are called upon to act; and such is presumed to be the legislative intent. In such cases they have a claim de jure to the exercise of .the power. But where the act to be done is not clearly beneficial to the public or third persons, the exercise of the power is held to be discretionary.

This doctrine will be sufficiently illustrated by a reference to a few of the cases.

In Rex vs. Barlow, Salk., 609, the church wardens and overseers were held liable to indictment for not making a rate for the reimbursment of constables under 14 Car. II. Ch. 12, § 18. The words of the statute were, “ shall have power and authority to make a rate,” and were held obligatory. The constables had a claim de jure to be paid for their services. The mode prescribed by law for discharging it was by making the rate, and without the exercise of the power by the church wardens and overseers they would have been remediless. So in Alderman Backwell’s Case, 1 Vern., 152, it was held that the chancellor was bound to grant a commission of bankruptcy on proper application and proof, though the statute said “may grant,” because the creditors had an interest in the application of the power. They were entitled by law to a just and equal distribution of the bankrupt’s assets in payment of their debts, which could be obtained only by the isuing of the commission. The same is true of the case of The King vs. The Mayor and Jurats of Hastings, 16 E. C. L., 23, where the public had a direct interest in the holding of the court for the administration of justice; as also, in Regina vs. Tithe Commissioners, 68 E. C. L., 474, where “ the thing to be done ” was “ for the public benefit,” and “ in advancement of public justice.”

In the case of McDougal vs. Patterson, 73 E. C. L., 755, which may be regarded as the leading modern English decision upon the question, the court having determined that upon a fair construction of the statutes upon the subject, the plaintiff was legally entitled to his costs in the action, and very properly held that the word may, in the 13th section of the county courts extension act, 13 and 14 Vic. C. 61, which provided, in such a case, that the court, or judge at chambers might by rule or order direct that the plaintiff recover his costs, was not used to give a discretion, but to confer a power upon the court or judges, which they were bound to exercise, for the reason that without its exercise the plaintiffs rights could not be enforced.

So too in the case of The Mayor vs. Furze, 3 Hill, 612, the plaintiff as well as the public having a direct interest, that the basins, culverts and sewers should be kept in proper condition and repair, and the mayor, aldermen and commonality, being clothed by statute with the sole power to keep them so, it was held that the execution of the power might be insisted on as a duty, although the word may instead of shall or must was used in the statute.

Without referring specifically to any of the other numerous cases to be found in the books upon this subject we will venture the assertion that upon examination they will all be found fully to sustain the doctrine above laid down. Now, to apply this doctrine to the case before us, it may be asked what interest has the infant legatee under the will, whom the respondent represents, in the removal of the appellant from his office of executor ? Or how is she to be benefited by it ? As the case stands here we cannot possibly see that she has any interest in, or that she is to be benefited either directly or indirectly by his removal. It is not alleged against him that he is an incompetent or improper' person to act as executor, nor that he has been guilty of any default or misfeasance in the discharge of his duties ; but the sole reason urged for his removal is that he resides in the state of Michigan, instead of Wisconsin. It was not claimed in argument, nor could it well have been, that there is any provision of statute aside from the section under consideration when interpreted according to the views of respondent’s counsel, from which the remotest inference can be drawn, that the legislature intended that mere non-residence should operate to disqualify an executor from assuming and discharging his trust. The ample security which he is required by statute to give for the faithful discharge of his duties, and the power of the court to prevent future acts of mal-administration by removing him in case of a wilful breach of duty or violation of its orders, seem to remove nearly all the objections growing out of non-residence, and to make him as a matter of fact equally as competent to execute the trusts as if he were a resident of the State. It was not contended, nor does it appear that the legatee has any rights which may not be equally as well protected and enforced without as with the appellant’s removal, nor that such removal would be in any way beneficial tó her, and if so the case does not fall within the rule. If on the other hand she had any rights which could not be enforced without such removal, the rule of construction might be different.

With a few remarks in relation to non-resident executors, we will close an opinion which has already gone to too great a length. By the common law it is no objection to an executor that he is an alien, or born out of the king’s allegiance, or that he is an alien enemy even, 1 Williams on Executors, 187, and note b. His residence in a foreign country does not disqualify him. - We regard this liberal and beneficial common law doctrine, and the rights flowing from it, as too sacred to be swept away by construction,' unless it appears that the legislature clearly intended it Instances 'will readily suggest themselves where it would be obviously oppressive and unjust to require a testator to entrust the care of his property and the interest of his family to the hands of a stranger, of whose character he is entirely ignorant.

The inference to be drawn from the section under consideration is, that non-residents may act as executors. . The language is, i “ if any executor shall reside out of this state,” clearly indicating that a non-resident may be appointed. If the language was “ if any executor shall remove out' of this state,” it would better serve to sustain a different conclusion. Thus it appears that it was the intention of the legislature to leave the testator free to select his executor, and if he is a non-resident, that he may qualify and act, yet if1 the respondent’s position be correct, it becomes the imperative duty of the court, on the application of any person interested in the estate to depose the .executor of the testator’s choice, regardless of his conduct or qualifications and interpose in his place perhaps an entire stranger, who has no interest or sympathies in common with the deceased or his surviving friends. Such a construction makes the legislature declare, and defeat their intention by the very same words.

In view of the manner in which our county courts are organized, the nature and extent of their jurisdiction and powers, and facilities afforded by appeal to correct any errors or mistakes which they may make, we are of opinion that the word may is used in the section under consideration, to confer upon them discretionary powers in the cases therein provided for. The argument drawn from the supposed case of an abuse of this power, by the refusal to remove an executor who was insane or otherwise incapable of discharging the trust, would, if allowed, in most instances operate to destoy all discretionary power, inasmuch as such a power in the hands of an evil disposed person is always liable to be perverted. Such cases, however, are not to be presumed. If they should arise, a ready remedy is offered by appeal. Cases may arise where the distance between the place of residence of the executor and the court where the business is to be transacted, may be so great as to render it inconvenient and impracticable for him to act, and call for the exercise of this discretionary power of removal. Such, however, is not the present case.

The judgment of the circuit court is reversed, and that of the county court affirmed.