Hopson v. Doolittle

13 Conn. 236 | Conn. | 1839

Huntington, J.

It was not denied, in the argument of this cause, that the plaintiff ought to retain the verdict in his favour, unless the instruction, “that the defendants might repudiate the award,” was incorrect in point of law. It is contended, that the charge, in this particular, was erroneous. The objection to it assumes that the award settled the rights of both parties, and is binding on both, establishing the right of the defendants to flow the plaintiff’s land, and of the plaintiff to the compensation granted therefor. The instruction asked by the defendants, was, “ that the plaintiff, upon the facts claimed to have been proved at the trial, could not sustain this action, but only an action founded on the award.” The award was interposed as a bar to this suit. It was claimed to be a legal subsisting award, which, while it continued in force, was a complete answer to the present action. As therefore the gravamen of the defence was an award supposed to be valid and conclusive as to the matter in controversy, it is quite clear, that if it possesses no such legal efficacy, and ought not to have any operation on the rights of the plaintiff in this suit, the opinion expressed that it might be repudiated, has done the defendants no injury, and a new trial ought not to be granted. The case was submitted to the jury, upon a charge less favourable to the plaintiff than that to which he was entitled ; and having obtained a verdict, it ought not to be disturbed.

We think the position, that a legal, valid award, cannot be repudiated, by the mere act of one of the parties, is a sound one. We know of no principle or precedent, which sanctions the doctrine that such an award may be treated, by either party, as binding or nugatory at his pleasure. It is in general likened to the judgment of a court, as to its effects upon suits for the same cause of action. It prevents the parties and privies from again litigating the same matter determined by it. We perceive nothing in the subject of this submission and award, which should make them an exception to this general tule. If they are such as to preclude the plaintiff from maintaining (he present action, there is no equitable or legal principle, which would justify us in refusing to give full effect to the award: much less is there any such principle, which confers ■on either party, independently of the other, the right to reject it, so far as it has any legal operation.

But although we are of opinion that the charge in this particular cannot be sustained, we think that the award is not a bar to the plaintiff’s action. It does not appear from the motion, whether the submission and award were oral, or in writing not under seal, or by deed. In the result to which we have come, we have not deemed this point material. And we take occasion to remark, that we purposely decline the examination and decision of the question whether a mere parol submission and award not in writing, can have any effect upon the title to real estate, by way of estoppel or otherwise. It is not necessary to a proper disposition of the case before us; and should be settled only after argument and upon full deliberation. In our judgment, the award is inoperative as a defence to this suit, inasmuch as it may, perhaps, be fairly inferred, that the rights of the plaintiff which he now seeks to enforce, were neither submitted to the decision of the arbitrators, nor ascertained and determined by their award so as to bar the present suit; at least, we cannot say, that it appears with reasonable certainty, from the submission and award, that these rights were so submitted or settled as to preclude a recovery in this action. We had occasion, in Shelton v. Alcox & al. 11 Conn. Rep. 240., to advert to the rules relating to the certainty necessary to constitute a valid submission and award. We there said, the ancient strictness in construing submissions is passed away ; and they are now to be construed according to the true intent of the parties. The question, in every case, is, whether it can be ascertained with sufficient certainty, what the parties intended to submit. We adhere to the opinion there expressed. We shall be governed by the rule which it establishes, in our decision of the present case.

It is stated in the motion, that the parties submitted to arbitrament, “ the question whether the saw-mill owners had a right to flow the plaintiff’s land, without making compensation therefor; and if not, what sums the owners should annually pay to the plaintiff, as such compensation ?” The arbitrators awarded, “ that the mill owners, in case they should shut their dam by the first day of October annually, and let off their water by the first day of May following, should pay the plaintiff seven dollars a year; or five dollars a year, in case they shut up the same on or after the first day of January thereafter.” We are inclined to the opinion, that the plaintiff did not intend to submit, and that he did not in fact submit, the question whether his land was subject to be flowed by the defendants as of right, upon the payment by them of an adequate compensation : at least, we do not feel at liberty to say that it appears with reasonable certainty, that such was intended to be, or was in fact, the submission. The owner of land may claim that another has no right at all to flow his land, and at the same lime insist, that under no circumstances, has he such right, without making compensation. A person who denied wholly the right of another, upon any terms, to an easement in his land, and who would refuse to submit that matter to arbitrament, might be willing to refer the question of compensation. A submission of the latter subject, would leave the question as to the right to the easement upon making compensation, entirely out of the controul of the arbitrators. They could not pass upon it, for want of authority. It would not reach the question whether the land might be used, by paying for the use.

In the present case, it was not expressly submitted to the arbitrators to decide whether the saw-mill owners had a right to flow the plaintiff’s land, upon making compensation ; but whether they had this right, without making compensation: and the arbitrators might find that no such right existed, without the payment of an equivalent; and neither intend to decide, nor in fact decide, that the land was subject to the user, if an equivalent was paid or tendered. Our prevailing opinion is, that it is a reasonable construction of this submission, that the parties, by referring only the questions whether the defendants could flow the plaintiff’s land without compensation ; and if not, whal the amount of that compensation should be ; designedly withheld from the arbitrators, the consideration of the question whether it could be flowed, provided compensation was made or offered.

If it be said, however, that this construction is open to some objections, we add, that it is not necessarily implied that the parties submitted the question of the right to flow, on the condition that remuneration was made. It is, at least, doubtful whether they intended to submit this matter. We think it does not appear, with sufficient certainty, that it was submitted, and we cannot presume it.

The award is much more indefinite and uncertain than the submission. If it be said that the latter is sufficiently certain, it seems to us that the award is insufficient to bar the plaintiff’s action. It does not expressly, perhaps not by reasonable intendment, settle the only question which was submitted. The arbitrators do foot find, that a right exists in the defendants, to flow the plaintiff’s land, upon any terms. They do not find a subsisting right, upon the payment of a compensation. It is only by implication, that they find the defendants have no right without making such payment. They simply award, that if the defendants open and close the gates of their dam at specified periods, they shall pay annually the sums of money which are stated in the award. The award is merely, that if the easement is enjoyed by the defendants, they shall pay a certain sum to the plaintiff. We are ignorant of any principle or authority which makes such an award operative as a defence to the present suit. We are of opinion that the award is no bar to the plaintiff’s recovery; that the verdict was right upon the facts stated ; and therefore, do not advise a new trial.

In the view we have taken of the case, it becomes unnecessary to consider whether the verdict is against the evidence, (as it is claimed to be) relating to the repudiation of the award ; for whether it was repudiated or not, is wholly immaterial. We are not, however, to be understood to admit, that the evidence is presented in such a form, as would justify us in examining it to ascertain whether it sustains the verdict. The statute requires that a statement of the evidence, and a report of it shall be made, by the judge, to this court. We are far from being satisfied, that this motion shews a compliance with this provision. But for the reasons which have been stated, a critical examination of the motion with reference to this point, is waived.

In this opinion the other Judges, notwithstanding some conflicting views during the consultation, ultimately concurred.

New trial not to be granted.