22 A.D. 110 | N.Y. App. Div. | 1897
This proceeding is an application by the health board of the city of New York for the condemnation of real property under the authority of section 659 of the Consolidation Act (Chap. 410 of the Laws of 1882), as amended, by chapter 567 of the Laws of 1895, and also by chapter 57 of the Laws of 1897. These statutes authorize the destruction of buildings which are not fit for human habitation, and are incapable of being rendered so. The issue here upon that head seems to have been fully tried in the court below, and decided in the respondent’s favor in a decision not containing separate findings of fact and conclusions of law, but stating concisely the grounds of decision as permitted by section 1022 of the Code of Civil Procedure. The evidence taken is not before us, the case containing merely the pleadings, decision, exceptions thereto and judgment. We have, therefore, no basis upon this record for the consideration of the important questions so fully presented by the learned counsel in their briefs and arguments.
The contention of the learned counsel for the appellant seems to be that the grounds specified in the decision are insufficient to warrant it, and that consequently no consideration of the facts is necessary. We think that he has quite mistaken the scope and effect of the amendments to section 1022 of the Code made in 1894 and 1895. (Chap. 688, Laws of 1894; chap. 946, Laws of 1895.) Prior to these amendments, findings of fact and conclusions of law were
We think that the amendment in question leaves the whole case open for direct consideration by the Appellate Division, both on the law and the facts. The grounds of decision are but the reasons which actuated the lower court in deciding as it did, and they are inserted for the assistance of the appellate court — not to control its action. These reasons may be statements of facts, general or partial; or they may be argumentative suggestions, or mere statements of the trial judge’s view of the law. But if these grounds or reasons be insufficient, there may still be ample grounds or reasons justifying the decision. The decision stating concisely the grounds, without findings, is tantamount, in fact, to the general verdict of a jury. (Amherst College v. Ritch, 151 N. Y. 282, 320.)
The judgment should, therefore, be affirmed, with costs.
Van Brunt, P. J., Rumsey, Williams and Patterson, JJ., concurred.
s Judgment affirmed, with costs.