Davis v. Davis

82 Vt. 228 | Vt. | 1909

Powers, J.

It is not claimed that there is anything about this case to take it out of the general rule that in chancery appeals the court of chancery is bound to follow the mandate of this Court. The only question presented is whether or not the decree here appealed from does in fact conform to the mandate shown by the report of the case in 81 Vt. 259, 69 Atl. 876. The oratrices object to that paragraph of the decree wherein it is said: ‘ ‘ The chancellor has not in any way passed upon the rights of the present owner of said second mortgage, dated March 25th, 1901, signed by George W. Davis and given to Porter H. Dale, except to set aside the decree in accordance with the mandate as hereinbefore set forth, and this decree shall not be a bar to his proceeding in such action as he may he advised is lawful and necessary to protect his rights,” — the clause italicised being especially offensive to them.

It is apparent from the opening clause of the paragraph quoted that the chancellor had some anxiety lest it should be thought that he had gone beyond the scope of the mandate, and that the paragraph was inserted for the very purpose of making it plain that he was keeping within it. We do not say that he has in any way limited the scope or changed the effect of the decision before rendered in this case. The effect of that decision upon the rights of the parties concerned may involve controverted questions which will have to be decided when reached. But it was not for the court of chancery to say in this decree what that effect was, though it may 'have correctly stated it. The clause especially objected to is susceptible of the construction placed upon it by the oratrices and therefore it should not have been embraced in the decree.

Other objections are made to the decree, but the defects are not of a character to require special mention, as they can be called to the attention of the court of chancery and any inaccuracy of statement therein will doubtless be corrected.

Decree affirmed and cause remanded with instructions to the court of chancery to alter the decree in the particulars specified so that it may conform to the former mandate. Let the oratrices recover costs in this Court.