Landau v. Levy

1 Abb. Pr. 376 | The Superior Court of New York City | 1855

Boswobth, J.

It is essential to a good complaint, containing several causes of action, that all of them should belong to one of the classes mentioned in § 167 of the Code, and that they should be separately stated.

Each cause of action should contain in the allegations which express it, enough to make it good in law.

How many causes of action does this complaint contain ?

It first alleges that the two Levys accepted a bill drawn on them by the plaintiff; they being partners. It then states the death of Mark Levy, before the bill matured, nonpayment, and payment of it by the plaintiff to the holder. This bill was dated the 26th of July, 1854, was for payment of the sum of £599 13 2 sterling, value in merchandize, on the 6th of October then next.

The complaint then proceeds thus:—•

“ And the plaintiff for a second and distinct cause of action, further shows,” &c.

It states the acceptance of a bill dated the 4th of August, 1854, drawn by plaintiff on the same parties, requesting them to pay on the 4th of Hovember, 1854, the sum of £397 12 4, sterling, value in merchandize, the acceptance of the bill, the death of Mark Levy before its maturity, nonpayment of it, and that the plaintiff was compelled to pay and take it up.

This would seem to make a full, distinct, second cause of action.

The complaint without stating whether it was designed by it to set forth a third cause of action, proceeds to allege, the grant to Louis S. Levy of letters testamentary of Mark Levy, deceased, and that Louis S. Levy is insolvent, and prays judgment against him, “ absolutely, and as such executor,” for $4832^- and costs,” to be levied and collected of the property of the said Louis S. Levy, as such surviving partner as-aforesaid or otherwise, or in default thereof, of the personal assets of Mark Levy, deceased, which have or shall come to the hands of Louis S. Levy, as executor, to be administered.

It will be observed that the complaint does not allege that the executor has in his hands any assets of the deceased, to be administered, and that the judgment prayed, is such as is entered in cm action at law, against an executor or administrator.

If it can be said that the complaint contains a thi/rd cause of action, -it must be on the theory that to constitute it, the whole ■ com/plavnt, exclusive of the prayer for judgment, is to be regarded as being the third count. It is evident that each acceptance is designed to be counted on as a separate and distinct cause of action against Louis S. Levy, as survivor. To make a cause of action against him, as executor, out of any ■ thing in this complaint, it is necessary to include one or both of the two causes of action first stated. The pleader designed to-include both; for he prays judgment for the amount of both acceptances.

The third cause of action is not separately stated;

If the third count is to be regarded as an action at law, then whether it embrace the two causes of action first above stated, or but one of them, it is bad in substance, as an action at law, as it shows a surviving partner living. If the third count be regarded as a claim to equitable relief, it does not allege any assets to be in the hands of the executor, and therefore fails to show any reason for invoking the exercise 'of the equitable powers of the court.

In Marshall v. De Groot, (1 Cai. Cas., 122), and in Laurence v. Trustees of Lake & Watts Orphan Asylum, (2 Den. 577), the fact of the insolvency of the survivors, and that the representative of the deceased partner had assets to be administered, were alleged. If the third cause of action is such as has heretofore been denominated legal, it is bad in substance. So many facts are stated as show that as executor, he is not liable at law. (Grant v. Shurter, 1 Wend. 148).

If it was intended to state a cause of action, which would entitle the plaintiff to equitable relief, I think it doubtful at least, whether enough is stated to confer jurisdiction. It is not alleged that the executor has any assets of his testator to be administered, and if he has none, a court of equity is incompetent to give any relief. There is nothing on which its powers can operate.

But if enough is stated to give jurisdiction" to a court of equity, can such a course of action be joined with others against the defendant, as survivor ?

They perhaps all arise out of transactions connected with the same subject of action. (Code, §§ 167, § 1). There is but one defendant;—in one sense—each of them affects him. But two of them affect him personally, or can be made to affect his estate. The third affects only the estate which he has or may receive as executor or trustee ! And does not the word trustee, as employed in subdivision 7, of section 167, embrace executors and administrators, as well as those who are trustees, eo nomine f If it does, then it is obvious that it was not intended to allow causes of action seeking a judgment against a defendant m personam, to be united with others which might show a right to some relief against the defendant as a trustee, though the latter causes of action may be in some way connected with the same subject of action as the first.

The concluding sentence of section 167 prohibits joining causes of action belonging to subdivision one, with those belonging to subdivision seven, notwithstanding they may be connected with the same subject of action. I think the plaintiff attempts to unite causes of action which the Code doe's not allow to be united.

It is doubtful whether either count is good in substance. It is not very evident that either instrument is a bill of exchange. Each instrument is -a request of the drawer, directed to Louis S. and Mark Levy, in their partnership name, that they will pay to the order of L. C. Opperman, at a time named, a sum stated, “ in merchandize.” The acceptance of this is alleged, and that the plaintiff delivered it to Opperman. That the plaintiff was forced to pay Opperman the amount, and thus became the holder. As these instruments are not bills of exchange, for the reason that they are not for the payment of money only, they are not negotiable by delivery so as to give a right of action to the holder. There is no allegation that Opperman sold or assigned them to the plaintiff. Rot being bills of. exchange, it may not be clear, that to enable Opperman to maintain an action against the acceptors, it would not be necessary for' him to aver a consideration sufficient to uphold the contract. (Smith v. Smith, 2 Johns. R. 235. Sexton v. Johnson, 10 ib., 418). Ro consideration for the defendant’s acceptance is alleged. The instruments as described, do not import that there was any. If there is not enough stated to show a good cause of action against the defendant as surviving acceptor, nor to constitute a good cause of action at law against the defendant, as executor, nor to give a court of equity jurisdiction of an action against the defendant, as executor of Mark Levy, then the whole complaint is bad in substance.

Many of these views are stated rather to call attention to the difficulties suggested by them, than to express a definite opinion in conformity with such views.

I am of the opinion that the defendant is entitled to judgment on the ground that several causes of action have been improperly united. But the plaintiff may amend as he may be advised, in twenty days, on payment of the costs of the demurrer.