| Mich. | Nov 13, 1862
Lead Opinion
Several questions have been raised in this case,. all of which, however, may be resolved in the three following:
■First. Can the action of the wife, under § 8294 of Compiled Laws, for property taken on execution against the husband, and which was exempt, be defeated by showing that the property was turned out by the husband to be levied upon ?
In answer to this question, we think it clear her action cannot thus be defeated. The exemption is intended quite as much for the benefit of the wife and family, as that of the husband. The same reasoning applies here as in
Second. Does the ninth subdivision of the 21th section chapter 131 Compiled Laws, exempting from execution “a sufficient quantity of hay, grain, feed and roots for properly keeping for six months” the animals referred to, apply to a case where the debtor has no. such animals? or, in other words, does. it exempt any more “ hay, grain, feed .and roots,” than may be necessary for keeping such of the animals mentioned as the debtor has at the time of-the levy?
In answer to this question, we are all clearly of opinion that this exemption cannot extend beyond what is sufficient to keep such of the animals as the defendant may have at the time of the levy. This exemption is given to render that ' of the animals practically beneficial; as it would be of little use to exempt the animals if the food necessary for their sustenance were liable to be taken from the owner. But if the debtor have none of the animals specified, the reason for exempting the food for them wholly fails. If he has none of the animals which the statute exempts, there is nothing upon which this exemption of the animals can operate, and the exemption of food for such animals, which is dependent upon it, fails with it. If the statute, in cases where the debtor has not the full amount of the property exempted by this section, had provided an exemption of money or other property for the purpose of enabling him to purchase enough to make up the deficiency, there might be good reason for holding the feed for the animals exempted, though he had not the animals at the time of the levy; but the statute has adopted no such principle.
In answering this question, it is important to determine whether the exemption is to be governed by the state of facts existing at the time of the levy, or at the time of sale, or at some intermediate period. It is quite clear, I think, that whatever under this statute may be levied upon may also be sold, except so' far as the statute has otherwise provided. Where' specific articles are exempt by the statute, they can neither be taken nor sold on the execution. But where the exemption is of property of a certain class or species, and only to a certain amount or value, and the debtor has property of that class or species exceeding the amount, some mode must be adopted for determining the particular portion or articles to which the exemption shall apply. It is accordingly provided that when a levy in such case shall be made, “ the officer levying such execution may make an inventory of the whole of such property, and cause the same to be appraised at its cash value by two disinterested freeholders of the township where such property' may be,’’ c%c.: § 28 same chapter. “Upon such inventory and appraisal being completed, the defendant in execution or his authorized agent may select from such inventory an amount of such property not exceeding, according to such appraisal, the amount or value exempted by law from execution: but if neither such defendant nor his agent shall appear and make such selection, the officer shall make the same for him”: §29 same chapter. These sections wrould certainly apply to the exemption of provisions, when the defendant has more than the amount exempted.
Again, by section thirty - one it is provided, “ whenever the defendant in an execution shall have cows, sheep, swine
In all eases not otherwise provided for in sections twenty-eight, twenty-nine or thirty-one, above cited, the right to levy implies also the right to sell; and the one is co-extensive with the other, so far as the question of exemption is involved: and in all such cases, at least, the right to levy and the right of exemption would seem to take effect at the same time. . Is it otherwise in the cases provided for in the three sections just referred to ? I think not. It is evident, I think, from the language of these sections that the selection is to be made at, or immediately after, the levy, and with reference to the then existing facts. Under the twenty-eighth section, “ when a levy shall be made,” the officer is to make the inventory — “uponsuch inventory being completed” the defendant is to select. If he does not appear and make the selection, the officer is to make the selection for him. How long must the officer wait for the defendant to appear and select ? Clearly, I think, he need not wait one day. When is the defendant to select under the thirty-first section ? The statute answers “immediately on being notified of the levy.” But if the officer may delay to make the- inventory, and to have the selection completed, he certainly is not bound to wait, but has a right to proceed at once; and that would.be a novel species of statute exemption which might be allowed or defeated at the option of the officer.
The right and the extent of the exemption, in these cases must, then, depend upon the state of ,the property-and
As the statute, in exempting provisions “ for the comfortable subsistence of the householder and family for six months,” does not specify any particular kind of provisions, doubtless anything which is susceptible of use as provisions, may be exempt under this designation; and any growing crops which, at the time of the levy, had reached that stage of growth or maturity which wquld render them susceptible of such use, might fall within the exemption: — Carpenter v. Herrington, 25 Wencl. 3/0. But corn and potatoes so recently planted as to be but just visible above the ground, are wholly incapable of use qs.^food, and in that state ^ can with no propriety be called “provisions.” They may or may not, in the ordinary course of vegetation, assume a shape, or produce fruit, fit for food, before the time for sale on the execution (which by the twenty-sixth section is not to be until they are ripe or fit to be harvested), and it seems to have been thought by the Court below that for this reason they ought to be exempt while growing, when the owner has not otherwise the requisite amount of provisions. This would doubtless have been a reasonable provision, had the Legislature seen fit so to provide. But we are not fo decide what we think the Legislature ought to have done, but what they have done. At common law all such property was liable to execution, and nothing was exempt as 'food for the support of a family. The exemption of provisions, like most other exemptions, rests entirely upon the statutes. Had the Legislature seen fit only to establish certain principles upon which exemptions were to be made, we might exempt anything coming within the principle thus established; but they have chosen to make their exemptions specific, to define the classes of property to he exempt, the circumstances under which they are to be
This case is therefore no more within the equity of the statute than many others which might be put, but which are clearly beyond its provisions. Thus, a debtor at the time of the levy has- six months provisions in the house, which are exempt and not taken on the execution, but the levy is made upon other property of the same description A few days after the levy,, the provisions in the house are destroyed, lost or stolen. It will hardly be contended that the debtor can call upon the officer for enough of the provisions levied upon to make up the deficiency; yet such a case would come quite as clearly within the benevolent purposes of the statute as the present. I have been unable to find anything in the statute to warrant the inference that an exemption was intended to be allowed, based upon any change which might take place in the state of facts, or of the property, or of the debtor’s circumstances at any time between the levy and the sale.
The judgment should, I think, be reversed, with costs, and a new trial granted.
It seems to have been the intention in framing this case to submit it to this Court for review upon the evidence as well as the law. But the case is not so framed as to permit us to do this. The whole evidence does not purport to be given: but only. so much as “ was deemed material to the questions to be raised.” When we review a case upon the evidence, we must have the means of judging for ourselves what is and what is not material.
Concurrence Opinion
I concur in holding that nothing is exempt for keeping
I think, however, that growing crops of" grain, or vegetables, suitable for family consumption, are within the exemption of the statute. If, at the time of the levy, a defendant in execution has enough provisions on hand for six months, then of course there is no right to any more. And a levy made on growing crops would then be as valid as a levy on any surplus provisions on hand. And such levy would not, if valid when made, be affected by any subsequent destruction, sale, or other disposition of the exempted property. But where a family does not possess a supply for six months, then I think they have a right to look to their growing crops for enough to make up the deficiency. Such crops are designed for human sustenance, and are frequently the chief reliance of their owners. There is no more difficulty in making the selection, in this class of cases, than in making the sale. If the law permitted a growing crop to be sold before maturity, there might be more difficulty in making it. But no sale can be made until the crops are ready for gathering; and it is perfectly easy to make at that time all necessary deductions.
It is undoubtedly true that an officer cannot at once make an inventory or appraisal, so as to allow the exempted amount to be set apart from the rest. But the law does not require this to be done at once, in regard to any property; and it may be done at any time before it is noticed for sale, if not at any time before actual sale. And a levy upon growing crops is kept alive, by statute, upon all executions, until thirty days after the crops mature: — Comp. L. §4464. The statute authorizing the commencement of suits by attachment requires an inventory and appraisal in all cases. But it has never been supposed growing crops could not be attached.
If growing crops are not exempt, the entire policy of the law must 'fail in regard to a large class of cases which are evidently designed to be, protected. It seems to me that such a construction as covers them is both natural and just; and in no way violates either the letter or spirit of the law.
I think that judgment ■ should. be rendered upon the finding for all the provisions found necessary for the family, and such animals as they are shown to possess. This appears from the finding to be $19.88. Judgment should be reversed, except as to the sum of $19.88, with costs of this Court in favor of defendant, and affirmed to that amount.
The Court being thus divided on one point, the judgment was reversed, with costs of this Court, except as to $19.88, and affirmed as to that amount.