26 Ga. 17 | Ga. | 1858
Lead Opinion
By the Court.
delivering the opinion.
The Court decided that, Beall, the plaintiff, was not bound to answer any of the interrogatories propounded to him, ex
The interrogatories as to which this decision was made, had two objects in view; one, to prove that Beall obtained the bills at a discount — the other, to prove that he had made an agreement with his attorney, Mr. Dougherty, by which, Mr. Dougherty, was to bring suit for the collection of the bills, was to be responsible for the costs of suit, and was to have for pajq one-half, or, one-third, or some other part of the money that might be collected.
We think, that neither of these objects was sufficient to require the interrogatories to be answered.
We think, then, that the Court was right in not requiring the interrogatories to be answered, and was also right, in refusing to permit the answer to the eleventh of them, tc be read.
One of the transfers of stock was “signed by A. B. Ragata, cashier.” A. B. Ragan was the cashier of the bank, at ihv time of this transfer. This transfer was objected to, on the ground, that “ the bank could not transfer stock,” — the meaning of which ground seems to have been, that the bank was forbidden to become the owner of its own stock, and, therefore, could not have had any stock to transfer. The objection was overruled, and the transfer received.
No law was read to us, prohibiting banks from acquiring-title, to their own stock. And we do not know of any such law. And, as to this bank, its charter says, that it shall be, “able and capable in law, to have, purchase, receive, possess, enjoy, and retain,” “ lands, rents, tenements, hereditaments» goods, chattels, and effects, of what kind, nature or quality, whatsoever, and the same to sell, grant, demise, alien, or dispose of.” Pr. Dig. 125. Here is an express grant of power to “purchase” and of power to “sell,” every kind of “goods, chattels, and effects.”
So the third section of the charter declares that “if there shall be a failure in the payment of any sum subscribed for/’ the shares upon which such failure shall happen, shall be forfeited, and they may again be sold, and the proceeds of the sale, together with the sums paid on the shares, shall revert to the benefit of the corpoiation. And see section 15.
Two of the transfers to Robison, were signed by H. S. Smith, as attorney — one by him, as attorney for Wm. A. Redd, the other, by him, as attorney for Jno. E. Morgan. These two were objected to, on the ground, that “ there was
It is no doubt true, that these two transfers were void, unless Smith had authority to make them, or bis making them was ratified by Redd and Morgan. The Court, in' deciding uhat they were admissible, did not decide, that it would not b e necessary, after their admission, to show Smith’s authoriry. And, accordingly, some evidence was offered, going to show Smith’s authority — doing so, it is true, in a very indirect, and perhaps a very slight manner. This evidence was, •;hat Robison made a subsequent transfer of four hundred shares of the stock; and, that, without the shares transferred 'y.r him by Smith, he did not have four hundred shares, to transfer. If Robison transferred the shares which Smith, U.3 agent, had transferred to him, he did what carried within íz. Aprima facie admission, slight, it is true, that Smith had authority to make the transfer to him.
At all events, we do not think, that the Court erred in ad■rudUing the transfers in the first instance; and no motion was made to rule them out, for a failure to prove Smith’s -.authority.
Much of the statement of the witness, Mathew Robertson, which was rejected by the Court, consisted of what was his . opinion, the materialit3r of the rest is not apparent to us,— not that we mean to say, that we think any of the statement to have been material. This it is not necessary to decide. There was no motion for a new trial.
The exceptions relating to the statute of limitations, we passs without deciding.
The thirteenth request to charge, was, that if Robison became a stockholder b3^ transfer from other stockholders afthe failure of the bank, and those stockholders had not been discharged from liability, in terms of the charter, they remained liable, and Robinson was not liable.
This request seems to be founded upon the assumption, -.bat a transfer of stock made after a failure of the bank,
But we do not see any authority for the assumption, that a transfer of stock made after a failure of the bank, would be void. The charter does not seem to know any difference between the right of transfer before a failure of the bank, and the right of transfer afterwards. It merely says, in general terms, that the directors “are authorized to open transfer books, by agents or otherwise, whenever they may deem it advisable.” (14. Sec.)
It is true, that the 16th section says, “that in case of a failure of the said bank, all the stockholders who may have sold their stock at any time within six months prior to said failure, shall be liable in the same manner as if they had not sold their stock.” But this is a provision for a different case, that of a transfer “prior” to a failure of the bank— and the provision, even for that case, is not that the transfer shall he void, but that the stockholder making it, shall remain liable in the same manner as if he had not made it. Indeed, the provision, by speaking of the stock as having been “sold,” itself silently assumes, that the sale, (or transfer,) would be good.
Different was the provision on which, Lumpkin et al vs. Jones, turned. That provision was, “that all transfers of stock in said bank shall be wholly void, if made within six months previous to the failure of the said bank,” &c.
Different too are the provisions on which, the decisions from other States went.
These things being so, and the 11th section of the charter declaring, that “ no stockholder shall be relieved from” his “liability, by sale of his stock, until he shall have caused to have been given, sixty days notice in some public gazette of this State;” and, there not being any evidence, that such a notice was given by Robison, we think, that the Court was right in refusing this 13th request.
The liability here referred to is, that created by the 11th section of the charter; a section which'is in these words: “The persons and property of the stockholders shall be pledged and held bound, in proportion to the amount of shares and the value thereof that each individual or company may hold in said bank for the ultimate redemption of the bills or notes issued by said bank, in the same manner as in common actions of debt, and no stockholder shall be relieved from such liability by a sale of his stock, until he shall have caused to have been given, sixty days notice in some public gazette of this State.”
Two things seem to be clearly expressed by these words; 1st. That the stockholders are to be under a certain liability, at least whilst they are stockholders: 2dly, that they are not to be relieved from this liability, whatever it is, by a sale of their stock, until they have caused to be given sixty days notice of the sale in some public gazette.
The question then is, what is this liability which they are under ? The section says, it is a liability “ for the ultimate redemption of the bills or notes issued by the bank.” The words “ bills or notes issued by the bank,” are certainly such, that they will include, in the case of any stockholder, at least, all of the bills or notes that had been issued when he became a stockholder, and all that were issued whilst he remained a stockholder.
Robison sold his stock in 1841. The bills on which, the suit is founded, were issued in 1838. They therefore, at least, are bills to the ultimate redemption of which, his liability extends.
The fifteenth request to charge, was: “ That if the charter of the P. and M. Bank expired by its own limitation on ihe-lst of January, 1856, such expiration extinguished the plaintiff’s debt.” This request was refused; and the question is, was that refusal right ?
When the charter of a corporation expires, all things which ■owe their existence to the charter expire too, unless there is some special law to prevent them from doing so. To deny ¿his, is to deny that, when the cause ceases, the effect ceases _ ¿hat, when the body dies, the limbs die. ’
One of the things which owed its existence to the charter ■of the Planter’s and Mechanics’ Bank, was the bank itself, as a corporation. Therefore, when that charter expired, the bank, as a corporation, was dissolved, unless there was some special law to prevent it from being dissolved.
There was no such law. The acts of 1840, 1841, 1842 and 1843, extend to the case in which there are proceedings for the, judicial forfeiture of a charter; not to the case in which there is an expiration of a charter. The act of 1855 (acts 226) does not seek to prevent the expiration of a bank’s charter, from working a dissolution of the bank.
Consequently, when the charter of the P. and M. Bank expired, the bank was dissolved.
What effect did the dissolution of the Bank have on the debts due from the Bank ? The effect to extinguish them, unless there was some special law, to prevent it from having that effect.
"At common law, upon the civil death of a corporation, all its real estate remaining unsold, reverts to the grantor and his heirs ; for the reversion in such an event is a condition annexed by the law, inasmuch as the cause of the grant has failed. The personal estate, in England, vests in the King, and in our country in the people or State, as succeeding to this right and prerogative of the Crown. The debts due to,
“ At common law, upon the dissolution of a corporation, the debts due to and from it are extinguished.” Head notes in Hightower vs. Thornton, 8 Ga., 486. Head notes are made by the Judges.
“ Why so much time and talent, labor and learning have been employed to establish a proposition which nobody denies, viz: that the debts of a corporation either to or from 'it are extinguished by its dissolution, I am at a loss to comprehend.” Thornton vs. Lane, 11 Ga., 491.
“ Moreover, I agree that the elementary writers, both in England and the United States, do everywhere assert distinctly, that the debts due to and from a corporation, are extinguished by its dissolution, unless prevented by the terms of the charter itself, or by aliunde legislation ; and, that in the Courts of both countries, this doctrine may now be considered too well settled to be overthrown or shaken; and so totally extinguished, that the members of the corporation cannot recover or be charged with them in their natural capacities.” Lumpkin J. in Moultrie vs. Smiley, 16 Ga. 294.
“For all the purposes of this decision, we have conceded that all corporate rights and liabilities are extinguished by the dissolution of the bank on the first of January 1852.”— Lumpkin J., Id. 324.
“ The difficulty which has arisen, as I think, grows out of an error in applying the common law rule, that upon the dissolution of a corporation, its real estate reverts to the grant- or ; its personal estate goes to the Crown, (in this country to the State,) and its debts are extinguished, to the case made against these plaintiffs in error.” Starnes J. Id. 331.
To the same effect are the decisions elsewhere made. See White vs. Campbell et al. 5 Humph, 38 ; Paschall vs. Whitsett, 11 Ala. N. S. 472; President &c. of Port Gibson vs. Moore, 13 Smedes and Mar. 158; Fox. vs. Horah, 1 Ire. Eq. R. 358; Coulter et al. vs. Robertson, 2 Cushman R. 321; Vi
There is, then, universal accord in this; that the rule of the common law is, that on the dissolution of a corporation, the debts due to and from it are extinguished. Extinguished is the word.
According to this rule, therefore, the effect of the dissolution of the Planter’s and Mechanics’ Bank, was, to extinguish the debts due from the Bank.
But whatever extinguished the debts, as against the Bank itself, equally extinguished them, as against the Bank’s stockholders ; for these were only ultimately liable for those debts; that is, liable only after the bank; and it is a general principle of law, that whatever extinguishes the debts, as to the party primarily liable, equally extinguishes it as to the party secondaiily, or ultimately, liable.
According, then, to the common law rule, when the Bank was dissolved, the debts due from it, were extinguished, both as to itself, and as to its stockholders.
I am aware that this conclusion is denied and denied on the ollowingargument: the reason of the common law rule is, hat, on the dissolution of a corporation, there is, commonly, left no person to sue, or be sued, for the debts due to and from it; but, on the dissolution of this corporation, there were left persons to be sued for the debts due from it on its bills, viz., the stockholders; therefore, as it regards those debts oí this corporation, the reason ceasing, the rale ceased, and they were not extinguished. 16 Ga. 294. But I meet this argument with three answers, any one of which is, I think, sufficient :
1. Courts cannot set aside a plain rule of law, on a mere conjecture; on, what they guess to be the reason of the rule . and, it is the merest conjecture, that the want of some per
2. Numerous cases exist in which, there was somebody to sue and be sued, and yet, in which, the rule was applied. (See cases above.) In the case of the President &c., of Port Gibson vs. Moore, there was the very corporation itself to be sued ; for the dissolved corporation had been revived. In the Mayor of Colchester vs. Seaber, there was an old charter, and a new. Seaber’s defence was, that the corporation created by the old charter, had been dissolved, and,-that his bond given to that corporation, was, consequently, extinguished — and, that being thus extinguished, it could not be collected by the new corporation, although that was the old corporation, revived. This was his defence; and it shows on its face, that there was some one to sue and be sued, — the revived corporation to sue, and Seaber- to be sued. Yet the defence was not demurred out. No; it was met by a denial of the allegation, that the old corporation had been dissolved. Had that allegation been true, there was no question, with Court or counsel, but that the defence would have been good. In Edmonds vs Brown and Sillard, Brown and Siílard had signed their names to the bond of the corporation. Yet, when it appeared, that the corporation had been dissolved, a nonsuit was granted in their favor. The case did not go off on the plea of non estfactum, though that was in. It could not go off on that plea, for the plea was not true. Brown and Sellard did sign the bond, and the bond, thereby, became their deed. This is the foundation case. Here were persons to sue, the actual subscribers to the bond. Yet the rule was applied.
These three cases are but samples of those above cited.
3. It is not true, that, as it regards the debts of this Bank
For a fuller notice of this argument, I refer to my opinion in Robison vs. Lane 19 Ga. 380 et seq.
I repeat, then, that, according to the common law rule, when the bank was dissolved, the debts due from it, were extinguished, both, as to iself, and as to its stockholders.
In the language of Chancellor Kent — “ According to the old settled law of the land, where there is no special statute provision to the contrary, upon the civil death of a corporation all its real estate remaining unsold, reverts back to the origi. nal grantor and his heirs. The debts due to and from the corporation are all extinguished. Neither the stockholders nor the directors or trustees of the corporation can recover those debts, or be charged with them in their natural capacity.” ' 2 Kent Com. 307.
Is there any special law to prevent the rule from applying to the debts of this bank. Neither the Act of 1840, or that of 1841, or that of 1842, or that of 1843, is such a law — for
There is, it is true, the Act of 1855; (Acts 226 ;) but that is not, I think, such a law. The reason I have for thus thinking, I will state in the latter part of this opinion.
For the present, then, I say, that there was no special law to prevent the common law rule from applying to these debts, and therefore, that it did apply to them, and extinguish them, both as to the bank and'the stockholders.
The effect, then, which the dissolution of the bank had on the debts due from the bank, was to extinguish them, both as to the bank, and as to the stockholders.
But the bank, as a corporation, was not the only thing which owed its existence to the charter; the liability of the stockholders for the ultimate redemption of the bills of the bank, was another thing which equally owed its existence to the charter. See 11th section of the charter. It must equally follow, therefore, that when the charter expired their liability expired. Whatever reason there is for saying, that the corporation itself expired on the dissolution of the charter, there is also for saying, 'that this liability expired on the dissolution of the charter. The existence of the corporation, was, in no greater degree, caused by the charter, than was the existence of the liability. On the, other hand, the existence of the liability, was as exclusively due to the charter, as was the existence of the corporation. If the maxim, the cause ceasing, the effect ceases, applies to the corporation, it equally applies to this liability.
I might then rest the proposition, that when the charter expired, the liability of the stockholders expired, on this axiom: that when the cause ceases the effect ceases. But there is abundance of authority, to support the proposition. I merely refer, in this place, to a single case, and to the cases which it cites, and that is, the case of the Bank of St. Mary’s vs. Clayton—12 Ga. 475.
It is true, then, that when the charter expired the liability of the stockholders, which orved its existence to the charter, also expired.
This is the same conclusion whiclfjwe had obtained from the proposition, that when the bank was dissolved, the debts due from it, were extinguished.
Thus, then, we have the conclusion from two different and independent sources.
And is it not a conclusion in perfect harmony with other results of the dissolution of a bank ? They are, that the dissolved bank shall be stripped of all its property and effects —that its lands shall revert to the grantor; that its goods shall escheat to the State; that the debts due to it, shall be extinguished. Ought it not to be, then, also, that the debts due from it should be extinguished ? When the law gets all of a bankrupt’s property and effects, it extinguishes the debts against him. This is the principle of bankrupt laws.
And, then, to dissolve a bank in the face of such results, without providing against them, must be an act of mere reckless mischief, sufficient to deprive those at whose instance it is done, of the right to complain, if, when the question comes, which, among innocent parties, are to be preferred, they are left out. Ought they to stand on as good a footing, as the accommodation drawers and endorsers for the bank, or as any guarantors or sureties of the bank. And the stockholders, by the very terms of their engagement, are nothing but guarantors or sureties for the bank. But for those terms, they would, no more, be at all liable for the debts of the bank, than would any other strangers. They have suffered once already by the bank; they have lost all the money they put in it, for stock — and it was that money, really, which the creditor in dealing with the bank, agreed to look to, as his principal debtor. The stockholder, then, is,
Now what is offered in opposition to this double conclusion? That either set of the premises from which it is drawn, is not true? No. That it is a conclusion not authorized by those premises ? No. What then? This, that if is a conclusion in conflict with the decisions of this Court; and, that, this Courtis bound to follow those decisions,by the maxim, stare decisis.
I proceed then, to inquire, first, whether it is true, that the decisions of this Court are in conflict with this conclusion. Secondly, whether, if that is true, as to them, or any one of them, this Court is bound to follow them by the maxim, stare decisis.
First, then, is it true, that the decisions of this Court, are In conflict with this conclusion ?
Now it cannot be that they are, unless the cases in which they were made, are analogous to this case. Let us bear in mind then, what this case is. It is, in the first place, a case against a stockholder, not, against a director; and, in the second place, it is a case in which, the defence is, the extinction of the charter, not its forfeiture by the judgment of a Court.
And let us also bear in mind the following things. There is an act of the legislature, the act of 1842, (Colb Dig. 118,) which, referring to this, and other banks, then suspended, has these words. “ The Judge shall pronounce the judgmen. of the dissolution of said corporation for all purposes, what soever, saving and excepting, as to its power in its corporate name, to collect and pay its debts, and to sell and convey its estate, real and personal.” By these words, manifestly, the dissolution to be brought about by a judgment, was to be, not really a dissolution at all; certainly, not a substantial or total dissolution, but was to be, no more than a formal or partial dissolution. Now the difference between such a dissolution, and a substantial or total dissolution's nearly as great
Bearing these matters in mind, let us proceed to the decisions.
The first of the decisions is that in Lane vs. Morris (8 Ga. 468.)
In that case, the action, as, in the present, was against a stockholder of this bank, and a defence was; “ that if the defendant ever was a stockholder, all his rights and liabilities, except so far as saved and reserved by statutory provision, had long since ceased and determined, by the forfeiture of the charter of said bank, viz: on 13th June 1843, as appears by the judgment of the Court declaring the forfeiture.”
The defence, then, is, forfeiture or dissolution by judgment-, and it is a defence which i tself admits, that liabilities were saved by “statutoryprovision” — doubtless meaning the said Act of 1842.
There is, therefore, between this case, and the one in hand, the very want of analogy above adverted to. The decision in it, therefore, cannot be a law for the decision of the case in hand — and this is true, no odds what the grounds might be, on which the decision was put.
It is not clear, however, what the grounds were, on which the decision was put. The decision was, that the defence was not good, but whether the ground of the decision was, the act aforesaid of 1842, or was something else, is not stated.
"In the opinion of this Court, the right of the billholder, under the 11th section of the charter, to hold the personal property of the stockholder pledged and bound for the ultimate redemption of the bills and notes of the bank, in proportion to the amount of his shares and the value thereof— a right which is not primiary and total, but secondary and proportional — is one which he may assert in his own name, before or after the formal dissolution of the corporation; one which is wholy above and beyond the reach of any legislaion, and independent and irrespective of it. The power and' duty of the receiver, appointed by the legislature was to take charge of and collect as early as practicable, the debts and demands du'e and owing to the bank, and to pay off and discharge its liabilities. See Pamphlet Acts 1842, p. 29, 1843 p. 21, 22. But the recovery in this action constitutes no part of' the assets of the bank, but is a supplemental or superadded security for the benefit of the billholder — one which he is authorized to enforce in his own name, in an action of debt at law directly against the stockholder.” (476.)
“ After the formal dissolution of the corporation” — what did the Court mean by this word, formal which it italicised? Did it not mean, the sort of formal or partial dissolution di
I think, then, that we are authorized, if not required to say, that the Court meant by the expression, “the formal dissolution of the corporation,” the sort of dissolution directed by the Act of 1842, which, as we have seen, was no dissolution at all.
If this was the Court’s meaning, then we may say, that the Act of 1842, was theground of the decision.
Another reason for saying this, is, that in subsequent cases, .the Act is more distinctly made the ground of the decision, as we shall see. (11 Ga. 492; 19 Ga. 347-354.)
So much then, for the first of the decisions. It is seen to be a decision which was made in a case differing, essentially, from the present, and which was put as far as appears, on that very difference.
Only two Judges, (Judges Lumpkin and Nisbet,) sat in the case; and against those two, was the opinion of the Court below.
The next of the decisions, is that made in Hightower vs. Thornton, (8 Ga. R. 486.) There is much less analogy between that case and the present, than there is between the last case and the present.
The facts were these. Hightower had a judgment against Thornton, a stockholer in this bank — a judgment founded, not on the bills of the bank, but on a certificate of deposite of
Now here, the dissolution was not a dissolution by expiration of charter, but was the very same dissolution as that in the last case, viz; a dissolution by “decree” — by judgment of the Court, and, therefore, was a dissolution affected in the same way, by the act of 1842, as, that was.
In this respect, then, there is precisely the same want of analogy between the case and the present case, as there was found to be, between the last case and the present case.
But this is far from all. The bank had, previous to the “ decree” of forfeiture, made “ an assignment of all its property real and personal, and all its debts, credits, and effects, to trustees,for the benefit of all its creditors and stockholders;” and the legislature had declared, that this assignment was to “be taken, held, and considered, valid for all purposes, both in law and equity.” Cobb 121.
This assignment, then, conveyed to the trustees all the property, and all the debts, credits and effects, belonging to the bank, and thus placed them where they could not be reached at all by any dissolution of the bank, even one, the most total and absolute. Therefore, if the unpaid subscriptions made a part of the property, or of the debts credits and effects, belonging to the bank, the assignment conveyed those unpaid subscriptions, to the trustees, and thus placed them entirely beyond the reach of any dissolution of the bank, even a dissolution the most total and absolute.
Now, the decision of the Court was, that the unpaid subscriptions di'd make a part of the property of the bank — that they were “ a trust fund for the payment of the debts,” of
The Court having made this decision, put the question of the effect of the judgment of forfeiture on the debts due to and from the bank, entirely out of the cases; for, according to the decision, the unpaid subscriptions had ceased to be debts belonging to the bank, when the judgment was rendered, and had then become debts belonging to the trustees, in trust for the creditors and stockholders.
In this second respect, then, there is, if possible, a still greater want of analogy between the case, and the present ease, than there was found to be between them in the first respect.
Now, it must be manifest, that where there is such a want of analogy between two cases, as there is between these two, no argument can be made from the one to the other.
This case of Hightower vs. Thornton was decided at the same term as the last case; and the same two judges presided in it, and the decision had against it, the opinion of the same lower Court.
So much for the second of the decisions
The next of the decisions is that in Thornton vs. Lane (11 Ga. R. 459.)
In that case, the action was against Thornton, a stockholder of this bank, on the same 11th section of the charter of the bank; and one of the defences was, the forfeiture of the charter by judgment of the Court.
Here again, is the very same dissolution that there was, in the two former, cases, viz; a dissolution by judgment, not by expiration of the charter. Consequently, this case falls, in this respect, as much within the act of 1842, as those two did, and therein, differs, as they did, from this case. And
“ Why so much time and talent, labor and learning, have been employed to establish a proposition which nobody denies, viz: that the debts of a corporation, either to or from it, are extinguished by its dissolution, I am at a loss to comprehend. Certain it is, that it was recognized by this Court at this place two years ago, as it had been on more than one occasion previously.”
“ In Hightower vs Thornton and others (8 Ga. R. 4 86,) this Court says, upon the threshold of this argument, we aré met, with the common law principle, that upon the dissolution of a corporation, all the debts due to it and from it, are extinguished. A doctrine which results necessarily from the fact, that the corporation having expired, whether by its own limitation, by surrender, abandonment of its members, or judgment of dissolution, there is no one in law to sue or be sued.”
“That this doctrine is “ odious” is evidenced by the fact, that a majority of the American States have already by their “•enlightened legislation” “ interposed to prevent, toward off the iniquitous consequences” of this common law rule, the existence off which, I take it upon myself to affirm,is “a disgrace to a civilized State.” Georgia is not obnoxious to this reproach, as far as this corporation and others in its vicinity, in pari delicto, are concerned. She has made ample provision to rescue them from the operation of this rule. Such being the rule however, and the foundation of it, this Court does not feel itself called on to extend it one jot or title, beyond the reason which gave it birth.” Ib 493.
Georgia” “has made ample provision to rescue them,” (this bank being one of them,) “ from this rule.” This, is as much as to say, that, but for this “ provision,” they would have been subject to the rule, and, therefore, it is making this “ provision” the very ground of the decision. What “ provision” was this ? Doubtless the Act of 1843, which declares, as we have seen, that “the judge shall pronounce the judg*46 meat of the dissolution of said corporation for all purposes whatsoever, saving and excepting as to its power in-its corporate name, to collect and pay its debts and to sell and convey its estate real and personal” (Cobb 118.) But in this Act, is nothing about dissolution from expiration of charter. Georgia has made no “provision” “to rescue” a corporation dissolved by expiration of charter, from “ the common law rule.” That corporation, then, is still subject to the rule.
The case, then, stands'on precisely the same footing as that of Lane vs. Morris, the first of the two already considered. And so thought the Court itself, for they say; “ We are content, therefore, after the most mature reflection to reaffirm merely on this point the views which we expressed when it was first presented for our consideration, in Lane vs. Morris,” &c.
I pass to the next case, which is the Bank of St. Marys vs Clayton. (12 Ga. R. 475.) This, it is true, is not a “bank case,” but it is a case, for all that, much more like the present, than are any of the “bank cases” which I have noticed.
“This was an action brought upon the information of Philip A. Clayton, against the Bank of St. Marys, for the recovery of the penalty imposed by the Act of 1835, for the issuing of change bills.” After the commencement of the suit, but before judgment, the Legislature repealed the Act of 1835. One of the provisions of the Act of 1S35 was, that “Any bank or body corporate or person or persons whomsoever, offending against the provisions of this Act, shall forfeit for each offence the sum of $500, to be recovered and applied as provided for by the second section of the Act hereinbefore recited.” That section was as follows: “Any bank or corporate body, or person or persons whomsoever, offending against the provisions of the first section of this Act, shall forfeit the sum of one hundred dollars, to be sued for in the name of the State by any licensed attorney, on the application of any informer cognizant of said offence, who shall be a competent witness on the trial, and recovered by an action of debt or
The penalty is “tobe sued for,” “on the application of any informer.” Of course, then, the right to sue for the penalty, and by the suit, to recover the penalty, is to vest in the informer. True, the Act says, that the money “ when recovered,” is tobe paid, one-half to the State, and the other half to the informer; but this is not saying, that the right to these halves, respectively, is not to vest before the recovery. The time when money is to be paid, is no test of the time, when the right to'the money vests. Debitum in presentí, solvendum in futuro, is a common case. Suppose this penalty paid after suit, but before recovery, would not the informer be entitled to one-half of it ? Surely he would.
Under this Act, then, the right to sue for the penalty, vests in the informer. Clayton, the informer’s, suit, was in the assertion of this right, and whilst the suit was pending, the Legislature repealed the Act. . In the present case, the charter gave Beall the right to sue Robison, as a stockholder; his suit was in the assertion of that right, and whilst the suit was pending, the charter expired. Here is analogy.
What was the decision ?
Let the words of the Court answer.
“ But the main question in this case is, whether any judgment can be rendered in an action founded on a penal statute, after its repeal.”
“ We are clear, both upon principle and precedent, that a penalty cannot be recovered after the expiration of the law which imposes it, either by its own limitation, or a repeal by the power which enacted it, without an express provision to that effect,in the repealing statute; and that it makes no difference whether the penalty, when recovered, goes entirely to the public or to the informer, or whether, as in this case, it is divided between them.” 12 Ga. R. 481.
The former is thus stated in the decision: 12 Ga. 485.
“Under the insolvent debtors act, (1 George III,) one Miller was compelled, by a creditor, at the sessions at Guildhall, to give up his effects, and he accordingly signed and swore to his schedule. But some circumstance arising, the Court adjourned his discharge till the next sessions. In the mean time the statute 2 George III passed, which repealed the compelling clause. Motion for a mandamus to the justices now to proceed to grant Miller his discharge, the jurisdiction having attached before the clause was repealed. But by the Court: Nothing is more clear,than thatthe jurisdiction is now gone, and that we cannot grant any such mandamus. Even offences committed against the clause (while in force,) could not have been now punished without a special clause to allow it; and therefore a clause is inserted in the repealing statute fof that purpose. 1 W. Blackstone’s Rep. 451.”
In this case, the insolvent debtor had given up his effects, had signed his schedule, and had sworn to it; had done all that he was to do. But he had not obtained his actual discharge. The Act giving him the right to the discharge, was repealed. The Court held, that the right went with the statute giving it.
The latter of the two cases, is thus stated in the decision ; Id. 493.
“The same doctrinéis enforced in the recent case of Norris vs. Crocker et al. 13 Howard’s U. S. Supreme Court Rep. 434. And as this case covers all the points made upon this record to the fullest extent, I felt strongly inclined to rest our judgment upon its authority alone.”
“It was an action of debt, brought by the owner of a fugitive slave, to recover the penalty of $500, under the Act of 1793, against the defendants, for harboring his slave. While this suit was pending, the Act of 1850, was passed, known
“The next question referred to us for decision, presents no difficulty. The suit was pending below when the Act of September, 18, 1850, was passed, and-was for the penalty of $500, secured by the 4th section of the Act of 1793. As the plaintiff’s right to recover depended entirely on the statute, its repeal deprived the Court of jurisdiction over the subject matter; and, in the next place, as the plaintiff had no vested right in the penalty, the legislature might discharge the defendant by repealing the law. We, therefore, answer to the second question certified, that the repeal of the 4th section of the Act of 1793,does barthis action although pending at the time of the repeal.”
Here, the U. S. Court say, “ As the plaintiff’s right to recover depended entirely on the statute, its repeal deprived the Court of jurisdiction of the subject matter;” so, Í say, in the present case, that the billholder’s right to recover, depended entirely on the charter, and, therefore, that the expiration of the charter, deprived this Court of jurisdiction over the subject matter.
These two cases, as well as the principal case, itself, were cases in which, that on which the right depended — the statute — died by repeal — a sort of death to take men by surprise; the case in hand, is one in which, that on which the right depended — the charter — died by the expiration of the originally allotted term of its life — a sort of death for which men ■might he prepared, this term of its life being a thing known to all men. Consequently, there is less interference with “vested rights,” to hold, that in the latter case, the right died with that on which it depended, than there is, to hold, that in the .former cases, the right died with that on which, it depended,
And in each case the right was a chose in action — was but a right to sue. When the crime was committed, the informer acquired the right to sue the criminal; when the bank failed, the billholder acquired the right to'sue the stockholder. The two rights were precisely alike, with respect to the degree of their perfectness. Therefore, if it be true, that the nformer’s right was “ inchoate,!’ so, equally, must it be true, that the bill holder’s right was “inchoate.”
' I remark, that the repealing Act contained a provision remitting the penalties incurred under the repealed Acts; but the Court makes no use of this provision; the Court puts its decision, exclusively, on the repealing provision; and well it might, for the two provisions include each other. To repeal a right, is to remit the corresponding liability; to remit a liability, is to repeal the corresponding right. And so, to repeal the right to these penalties, Avas, to remit the liability to pay
The English case, however, was. not the case of a right to a penalty. It was the case of a right to a discharge under the insolvent laws — a right that commends itself to favor, (our Constitution and laws being the judge,) as much as any right can.
This case of the Bank of St. Marys vs. Clayton, and the two cases cited from it, and, I may add, the other cases in it, are, then, all similar to the present case, in every essential particular; and the decision in it, and the decisions in them, were, not against, hut, for, the proposition, that, when a charter expires, the rights depending on it also expire. If, therefore, contrary to what I have supposed, the intention of the three former decisions, was, not, to put themselves upon the special law of 1842, which directed only a “formal” or partial dissolution, but was, to deny this proposition, then with them, comes in conflict this later decision, and all those decisions on which it rests.
I pass to the next decision, that made in Moultrie vs. Smiley, 16 Ga. 289.
In that case the action was against the Directors of the Commercial Bank of Macon, and was founded on that provision of the bank’s charter, which makes its directors liable for any “excess” of indebtedness.in the bank, beyond “three times the amount of their stock paid in, over and above the amount of moneys actually deposited in their vaults, for safe keeping.”
The defence was, that pending the suit, the charter had expired'.
The case, then, is like this, except, that this is against a stockholder, while it was against directors.
The decision was, that the defence — the expiration of the charter — was not a good one; but the decision wasnot unanimous, I dissented from it.
They seemed to think, that the liability of a director, is primary and independent, not secondary and dependent, like the liability of a stockholder, which is only ultimate.
Lttmpkin J. says, “ I am not prepared to say, that the directors in this case, who were guilty of the mismanagement, would not be individually liable to billholders, independent of this statutory provision.” Id. 317.
Again, “who is the obligor and obligee,the promissor and promissee,under the Sth rule ? Is it not the directors, under whose administration the excess was committed, on the one part, and the billholder on the other? What is it to them that the charter of the Commercial Bank of Macon, expired on the 1st day of January, 1852.” Id. 317.
Again, “ For quoad hoc they” (the directors) “ are the body, and the corporation but the limbs. They are the head and front of this offending.” Id. 320.
Again, “ So, then, to make the definition from Burrill available, it should have been reversed. The legal maxim is, Jlccessorium non ducit sedsequitur suum principale. That the incident docs not lead, but follows the principal. Whereas, here, the extinguishment of the collateral is made to work the extinguishment of the direct liability. In this instance, neither controls, but the one is wholly independent of the other.” Id. 321. Wholly independent oí the other, is a strong expression.
Again, “This suit is brought to enforce a distinct, separate and independent undertaking.” Id. 323.
tj Distinct, Separate and independent, _are words quite as strong.
JS'ow if one liability is “wholly independent” of another— if it is “distinct, separate and independent” of another, it certainly is true, that it cannot be affected by anything whatev
Judge Starnes seems to have entertained the same view. He says, “ what show of reason is there in the proposition, that because the charter of the bank has been forfeited, andéis debts are in this way extinguished, although this excess has never been paid, yet that no recovery can be had for and on account of it, against these defendants, who are severally and independently liable to pay it?” Id. 332.
Again, “The right to hold these directors responsible, cannot be said to depend alone, on the contract between the State and the corporators, but springs out of the statutory liability of these defendants, which, if not ex contractu is quasi ex contractu, and was incurred by each director when this excess happened.” Id. 333.
It is not then, perfectly clear, that even this decision means to say, th,at the liability of a stockholder, which is only ultimate, and which is not independent of the liability of the bank, is not extinguished by the expiration of the charter-At most, however, it was but the decision of two, out of the three, members of the Court, the opinion of the other member being, that the liability expired with the charter,
I pass to the next of the decisions, that made in Robison vs. Lane, 19 Ga. R. 337.
That case differed from this only in one particular. The defence in it, was, a. judgment of forfeiture of the charter; in this, the defence is, .the expiration of the charter.
The Court was requested to charge, that if the charter “was absolutely and unconditionally forfeited, without reservation of the rights of plaintiff, and without retaining and continuing the liabilities upon the defendant, then all the debts due to and from said bank became extinguished.” The Court • refused so to charge, and that refusal made the question for this Court.
The main, I think I may say, the only, ground on which Lumpkin J. put his opinion, was, the same old ground existing in Lane vs. Morris, Hightower vs. Thornton, and Thornton vs. Lane; viz: special legislation — the said act of 1842y with the kindred acts of 1840, 1841, and 1843.
He says, “ In Thornton vs. Lane, (l 1 Ga. R. 493,) in speakng of the odiousness of the old common law rule, that upon the dissolution of a corporation, the debts due to and from it are extinguished, and which, thank God, I have lived to see itself extinguished, by an authority not subject to review, I remarked, that c Georgia is not obnoxious to this reproach so far as this(corporation,’ (the P. &M. Bank of Columbus,) ‘and others in its vicinity in pari delicto, are concerned. She has made ample provision to rescue them from this rule.’ ”
“Let us glance for a moment at some of the enactments on this head.”
He then gives the material parts of the Acts of 1840, 1842, and 1843,quoting that part of the Act of 1842 which required, that “the Judge should pronounce the judgment of dissolution for ail purposes whatsoever, saving and excepting, as to the power in its corporate name, to collect and pay its debts, and sell and convey its estate real and personal.” And then he exclaims, “ And yet iri the face of all this legislation and of this assignment by the bank, before its charter was forfeited, and of the legislative confirmation thereof, it is insisted that the liabilities of this corporation, and consequently, the personal liability of the stockholders, is extinguished! -and wherefore? Suppose, it be true, that the debtors of the bank and the stockholders contracted in reference to the common law rule? Is it not equally true, that they contracted also in reference to the acknowledged right of the legislature to rescue the assets from this principle? And is-not the one to be taken as much an element of the contract as the other. ?” Id. 347-8-9
And what is here said by Judge Lumpkin, shows that the view which I have taken of Lane vs. Morris, Hightower vs Thornton, and Thornton vs. Lane, viz: that they were put upon these same statutes, is the true view.
It is true, that Judge Lumpkin says, (347,) “my mind has never wavered for a moment upon this question^” (that of extinguishment.) “ Whether considered upon general principles or upon our own special legislation relative to the subject;” but he does not state the general principles to which he refers, and he does state very fully the “ special legislation relative to the subject.” At any rate, the special legislation was there to be relied on, whilst it is not here tobe relied on. Besides, he only speaks in the first person.
Judge McDonald also, had special grounds. He consid" ered the case essentially different from the present, and rested his judgment, exclusively, on that difference. Had the case been, like the present, on the expiration of the charter, his judgment would have been, the opposite of what it was. He said, “ I have no doubt, that, according to the common law, on the civil death of a corporation its debts are extinguished, and I have as little doubt that the legislature has power to prevent that effect. A corporation is factitious; and if the power which creates it, in the act of its creation, or by subsequent constitutional enactment, makes no provision for preserving and continuing the debts due to and from it, on its absolute dissolution, they perish with it — they become extinct.”
“ If the charter of the Planters and Mechanics Bank was repealed or annulled, and the corporation was absolutely dissolved thereby, unless they have been prevented by compe
This decision, then, is really a decision in favor of the proposition, that when a charter expires, the rights depending on it expire too. Two Judges, at least, expressly sanctioned that proposition. And as for the third, he thought the case rescued from the common rule, by special legislation— legislation which, as ho conceived, prevented a dissolution, (an expiration) of the charter.
The dissenting Judge thought, that, as the judgment was in terms, *one of .absolute and unconditional forfeiture and seizure of all the franchises, including “ that of being a body corporate,” its effect was, of itself, to dissolve the corporation; that, even if it was erroneous, yet, that it was binding until set aside, especially as it had been acquiesced in, for twelve years.
I pass, then, to the next and last of the decisions, that made in Moultrie vs. Hoge, (21 Ga. R. 515.)
That was a case in which, the persons sued, were directors in the Commercial Bank of Macon. Tho defence was, the expiration of the bank’s charter.
The case, then, was like this, with the exception, that in this, the defendant is a stockholder, not a director.
The decision was, “ that by the expiration of the charter of said bank, the ‘cause of action became extinguished.’” Lumpkin J. dissenting.
This decision, then, sitpjjorls the proposition, that when the charter expired, in tho present case, the liability of the stockholders also expired.
To sum up, the question is, Is it true, that the decisions of this Court are opposed to tho proposition to which I came as a conclusion, viz: That when this charter expired, the liability of the stockholders expired with it.
Three of the cases, Lane vs. Morris, Hightower vs. Thornton, and Thornton vs. Lane, were cases in which, there was no expiration of the charter at all, but only a judgment of for
These three decisions, then, are not decisions in opposition to the proposition, which is, that when the charter' expired, (a thing which dissolved the b ink,) the liability of the stockholders also expired. They are decisions which do not touch that proposition. And the decisions themselves, not being in opposition to the proposition, it would make no difference, even if they-were accompanied by some expressions denying the proposition, for, in such a case, the expressions would-be mere obiter dicta; but indeed, the expressions which do accompany the decisions, are such as to justify us in saying, that the decisions were actually put, in great part, if not wholly, on the special law.
In one of these three cases, there was also, the assignment, and the law making it valid ; and that was, itself, a decisive matter in the case.
These three decisions, then, count neither way.
Another of the cases, that of Moultrie vs. Smiley, was a case against directors, and though the Court decided, that the liability was not extinguished, yet, in doing so, it laid great stress on the ground which it took, that the liability of directors, is, distinct, separate, independent, primar]*-. But the liability of stockholders, is only ultimate. It is not quite clear then, that even this decision ought to count as adecis
Let it, however, be so counted. Then there is one of the decisions against the proposition; a decision, however, weakened by being dissented from by a third part of the Court.
Another of the decisions, that in Robison vs. Lane, made by two Judges against one, was, that the liability of the stockholders, was not extinguished, notwithstanding the judgment of forfeiture; but, there was in the case, the special law of 1842, as, in the first three cases; and, on that law, one of the two concurring Judges, in great part, if not wholly, put his opinion; and the other of the two put his opinion on the fact, that the judgment had not been executed, at the same time, saying, that if the case were one in which, the charter “ was repealed or annulled, and the corporation was absolutely dissolved thereby,” the liability would be extinguished. The third Judge thought that the judgment did dissolve the corporation ,and, therefore, that the liability was extinguished. This, then, is a decision which may be countéd in favor of the proposition.
The same may be said of the decision in the Bank of St. Marys vs. Clayton, a decision, that when a statute giving a penalty is repealed, the penalty perishes. And this decision stands on many others, each one of which, has an independent value of its own. This, (throwing away these others,) makes two, in favor of the proposition.
The last of the decisions, that in Moultrie vs. Hoge, was, that when a charter expires the liability of the directors expires. But if the liability of the directors expires, at least as much, if not more, expires the liability of the stockholders, for that, beyond a doubt, is only ultimate. From this, one Judge dissented.
This makes three in favor of the proposition.
Thus then, of the seven decisions, three, count neither way, one counts against the proposition, and three count in favor of it. And of these three, one dates before, and two date af
If turns out, then, not to be true, that the decisions of this Court, are in opposition to the conclusion, tliat when this charter expired, with it expired the liability of this stockholder.
Did stare decisis require, that these two decisions should not depart from their immediate predecessor ? If it did, it equally, required, that that should not depart from its immediate predecessor? Unless, stare decisis is to be applied, or, not applied, according to the side it favors.
I proceed to the second question.
Suppose it true, that the three first decisions, Lane vs. Morris, Hightower vs. Thornton, and Thornton vs. Lane, as well as the fifth, Moultrie vs. Smiley, are to be coi'mted as adverse to the proposition, that when • this charter expired, with it expired this stockholder’s liability; and suppose the other two decisions, Robison vs. Lane, and Moultrie vs. Hoge, not entitled to be counted at all; then, is this Court bound by the maxim, stare decisis, to follow the four decisions? That is the next question ?
Is a Court bound to follow every decision ? If so, Courts have, from the beginning, been constantly failing to do, what they were bound to do. They have, again and again, time out of mind, overruled cases. There is now, a volume 6^ these cases. The process still goes on, every where. It wont do to' say, then, that a Court is bound to follow every decision.
Which decisions are they, then, that it is not bound to follow ?
In my opinion, they are they, which are clearly contrary to law; especially, if, also, they are recent; are adverse to the current of legal opinion; and, if they betray marks of great repugnance in the Court making them, to the principle which they go to condemn. If it is not clear, that the decis
But, when a decision is clearly contrary to law, then, a Court ought not, I think, to follow it; for, if, when that is so, a Court follows it, the Court violates the Constitution of the State, and, if the decision be of a particular kind, and the case one happening anterior to it, violates, also, the Constitution of the United States; and, after all, does more harm than good.
When the Court follows a decision that is contrary to law, it turns that which is contrary to law, into law. This, is to make law. Therefore, the Court makes law. But the power to make law, is a power properly attached to another department of the State government, the legislative department; and the Constitution of the State says: that no Court “shall exercise any power properly attached” to another department of the government. Therefore, when the Court follows a decision that is contrary to law, it violates the constitution of the State. (Art. 1, Sec. 1.)
This is not all. The law thus made by the Court, is of a peculiar character; it works backwards as well as forwards. Why backwards ? Because the Court, that which is to work it, regards it, not as a law made by the Court, and dating, therefore, from the decision, but, as a law made by the legislatuie, and dating from some time anterior to the decision, and merely declared by the decision. Consequently, the Court has to apply it to all cases happening after this anterior time, not even excepting those happening before the decision. And thus, it is a law that works backwards as well as forwards.
Now, suppose the decision be one, increasing the weight of some penal law, or one lessening the weight of some law of contract; suppose, for example, the decision be that death is the punishment for manslaughter, or, that six per cent, is the interest for lent money. Then, the decision, if, the former, and applied to a case happening previously to it, would
But even were the two Constitutions out of the way, yet, if a Court follows a decision which is contrary to law, it does more harm than good.
In every instance in which, a Court follows a decision that is contrary to law, it divests vested rights. This, in the cases which happened previously to the decision, is an enormous Avrong and hardship. The sufferers are men, not only innocent, but, positively meritorious — men Avho have kept Avhat was really the law, and Avho could not foreknow, that a decision Avould come along, and say, that it was not the latv, and yet, they are treated as law breakers and wrong doers.
And this is a mischief not to be compensated for, by any good that can come from following the decision. What good can come from following the decision? Men have regulated their conduct by it ? If the decision be clearly contrary to law, men will be chary of regulating their conduct by it; they Avill distrust it, and provide against it. Suppose a decision, made, that a will, or a deed, Avithout a Avitness, is valid, hoAV many men Avould follow it? Very few, if any.
The number, then, that will regulate their conduct by a decision that is clearly'' Avrong, Avill be feAv; and they, we may assume, will consist of the careless, or the speculating classes, neither of which are entitled to much favor. Especially, must this be true, if the decision be recent; if it be adverse to the current of opinion amoug lawyers ; and, if it-betray marks of great repugnance in the Court making it, to the principle which it denies. Now, surely, the good of upholding a small number of such men as these, is not a compensation for the evil of overthrowing such men as those
For these reasons, I think, that a Court is not bound, to follow such a decision.
The question, then, is, if the four decisions now in question, were, as I am assuming them to be, all adverse to the proposition, that when this charter expired, with it expired the liability of the stockholders, is it true, that they would be clearly contrary to law ? I think it is.
To deny, that this liability expired with the charter, is to deny, that the things which depended on the charter for their existence, expired with it; and to deny this, is to deny, that when the cause ceases, the effect ceases; and if to deny, that when the cause ceases, the effect ceases, be not, clearly, contrary to law — to every law — I cannot conceive what would be.
This view, of itself, would be enough. But to deny this proposition, is to deny the authorities ; is to deny the Bank of St. Marys vs. Clayton, and the many cases on which it rests; and, indeed, so far as I know or believe, every other case. As far as I know and believe, there is not one single case, that would support these decisions in denying this proposition.
There is no special Act which comes in, and saves the liability of stockholders from extinction.
But, referring to what I have said on this proposition, in the early part of this opinion, and, to my opinions in Moultrie vs. Smiley, (16 Ga. 340, et seq.) and in Robison vs. Lane, (19 Ga 380, et seq.) I forbear.
Are the decisions recent? Quite so. The oldest was made in 1850, the youngest in 1854. We may almost say, res adhuc sub judice.
Do they betray marks of great repugnance to the “ common law rule,” that when a corporation is dissolved, the debts due to and from it, are extinguished ? Very great, I think.
In Hightower vs. Thornton, there is quoted with approbation, the remark of Chancellor Kent, made as counsel, and in extreme age, “that to permit the odious and obsolete doctrine of ancient date, before moneyed institutions were introduced, to be now applied to the dissolution of a bank, perhaps by its own mismanagement and abuse, so that all its assets were to be considered as dispersed to the winds, without any owner or power any where, to collect them, and justly apply them, would be a disgrace to any civilized State.” 8 Ga. 493. And no reference is made, to the above quoted antagonist doctrine promulgated by the Chancellor, as a teacher of law in his Commentaries. (Supra and 2 Kent’s Com. 307.)
In Thornton vs. Lane, the doctrine is characterized, as, “odious;” and then, is added, this remark; “the existence of which” (the doctrine,) “I take it upon myself to affirm, is a “disgrace to a civilized Stateand, in another place, this remark; “ the very idea is abhorrent to every principle of justice.” 11 Ga. 492, 6.
In Moultrie vs. Smiley, it is said, that, “ the rule itself has been justly characterized, by the most enlightened tribunals, as, odious and iniquitous.” 16 Ga. R. 294. And again, “it is the duty of Courts, to put the most liberal construction upon these charters, and to struggle hard to get away from the common rule, so far as creditors are to be prejudiced by it.” Id. 330.
Surely, here is exhibited, a degree of aversion to “the common law rule,” so great that it, really, ought to warn us to distrust the decisions, which were adverse to the rule.
Now, is it likely, that many persons would regulate their conduct by such decisions ? I think not. There is no evi
If then, the decisions are departed from, as contrary to law, who will have been misled to their loss, and therefore, who will have the right to complain ? There is nothing in the case, to warrant the belief, that a single person will have been.
On the other hand, if the decisions, being contrary to law, are not departed from, the effect will be, to divest all the men, women and children, that ever held stock in the bank of valuable rights which the law gave them, and which were “nominated in their bond;” in a word, will be, to make them sufferers for trusting themselves and their property to the law itself.
/should say, then, that these four decisions ought to be departed from, even, if it were true, (as it is not,) that they are all adverse' to the proposition, that when this charter expired, the liability of the stockholder expired with it; and were it also true, that the other two decisions opposed to these four, are entitled to no weight.
The Act of 1855 — to preserve and dispose of, the property and effects of corporations after their dissolution, and to provide for the payment of the debts due by the same, was slightly referred to, by the counsel for Ihe defendant in error.
But we all think, that there is nothing in that Act, to save the liability of stockholders from extinction. The Act says, that, “the debts due to and by the corporation” — shall not be extinguished. But it no where says, that the debts due from the stockholders, shall not be extinguished. When the charter expires, there is, therefore, nothing in the Act, to keep these debts alive.
Hence it was, probably, that the Legislature failed to make the Act extend to the debt, or liability, of stockholders. Indeed, if the language used by the Legislature, were doubtful, here would be reason enough, to require us, to give the benefit of the doubt, to the construction, that would make the language fall short of this debt or liability.
There is yet another reason, quite sufficient, to make me think, that the Act does not apply.
The judgment of forfeiture,in my opinion, totally dissolved the bank. A part of that judgment, was, “ that the liberties, privileges, and franchises, to-wit, those of being a body politic and corporate, be seized into the hands of the State.” If this did not dissolve the bank, what judgment could ?
It is true, that in this particular, the judgment exceeded the directions given in the Act of 1842, but still, the case was one in which, the Court had jurisdiction, and when that is so, a Court’s judgment though erroneous, must stand, until set aside. This is an every-day principle. Indeed, the Court, as I have heard, deliberately disregarded the direction in the Act of 1842, holding such direction unconstitutional— and, of set purpose, made the judgment, one of general and
This judgment, then, as I think, totally dissolved the bank.
This judgment was rendered in 1843, twelve years before the Act of 1855, was passed.
Now, that Act, by its terms, only applies to dissolutions “ from and after the passage of” the Act. The Act therefore, by its terms, does not apply to the dissolution of this bank in 1843.
I said in a previous part of this opinion, that I would here give my reason for thinking, that this Act of 1855, did not save the debts of even the bank itself, from extinguishment. I have now given that reason. The debts were extinguished long before that Act was passed — were extinguished by this judgment of dissolution, rendered in 1843. In that consists my reason.
Judgment reversed.
In answer to the objections made to my presiding in this caso, I refer to my opinion in Lane vs. Morris, 16 Ga. Rep. p. 248.
Concurrence Opinion
concurring.
This cause comes to this Court on many assignments of error. The judgment is reversed on one of the assignments only, and that being fatal to the case of defendant in error, who was plaintiff in the Court below, other grounds which had not been affirmed, were not considered by us. Some of them were not insisted on by counsel for plaintiff in error.
It is insisted that it has already been decided by this Court, that the personal liability of the stockholders in the Planters and Mechanics Bank of Columbus, survives the dissolution of the corporation, and that it is no longer an open question ; that the doctrine of “ stare decisis” requires that that adjudication should be implicitly followed, and that it cannot now be called in question.
In the case of Cain and Morris vs. Monroe, 23 Ga. 87, 1 expressed my opinion on that argument. I there said it was the duty of an appellate Court, of the highest obligation, if by its decision, it has established, as law, that which, it becomes satisfied, is not law, to annul its error, &c. Such Courts are established, not to make, but to expound the law. If, in any case,.it decides contrary to law, it substitutes error for law in that particular case, and if it adheres to it in subsequent cases, it establishes error as law. That would be a strange morality which would palliate error,- and commend a perseverance in it, while it condemned a correction of it.
If it be allowable to maintain an erroneous exposition of the law, it is when it has gone forth with such authority, and has been of such standing, that the community, in all.probability, have regulated their conduct and contracts by it. In such cases the Court having the power of reversal ought to
In the latter action, counsel for the defendant requested the Court to give in charge to the jury, the expiration of the charter, as an extinguishment of the plaintiff’s demand. The Court refused so to charge, and error was assigned thereon. In the case of Moultrie vs. Smiley the judgment was affirmed. In the case of Moultrie vs. Hoge the judgment was reversed, overruling the other case. Those were cases against directors, and this is a case against a stockholder. There is a slight difference in the cases. If they were precisely parallel, the decision in the latter of the two cases would be a decision on the identical point now under consideration, and would-render the assignment of reasons for the judgment in this case unnecessary. The cases which have been passed upon by this Court, in regard to the stockholders’ liability under the charter of the Planters and Mechanics Bank of Columbus, after the judgment of forfeiture of the charter of that bank, cannot be considered as authority beyond the points made in-the record, and the decision thereof. It was insisted in those cases, that by that judgment of forfeiture, the corporation was dissolved, and the debts were thereby extinguished, and could not be collected from the stockholders. The Court decided
I shall hereafter express my opinion of the difference of effect upon the corporation, its property and debts, between the judgment of forfeiture and a dissolution by the expiration of the charter.
Suffice it to say, now, that the decisions of this Court on this point, have not been made on the effect of a dissolution of the corporation by the expiration of the charter on the individual liability of its stockholders, but on the effect of the judgment of forfeiture of the charter on that liability.
I will now proceed to the consideration of the case as made in this record. The suit is on the charter. The plaintiff sets forth the provisions of the charter in respect to the liability of stockholders, alleges that he is a billholder, that he has sued and recovered judgment against the bank on the said notes, that he has had executions issued thereon, that the Sheriff has returned them “ nulla bona ” and'that an action has accrued to him against the defendant as a stockholder in said bank, &c. The charter has expired, and there is no provision therein for continuing the liability of the corporation or its stockholders, beyond the period of its existence.
Charters in this State are Acts of the Legislature, and when they fix a limit to the corporation which they create, they are necessarily temporary Acts, and unless they contain provisions for the continuance of their obligations, contracts and remedies, &c., after they cease to operate substantially for the purposes for which they were created, all the consequences ensue, which follow the dissolution of a corporation, at common law.
By the 11th section it is enacted, that “the persons and property of the stockholders shall be pledged and held bound in proportion to the amount of shares, and the value thereof, that each individual or company may hold in said bank, for the ultimate redemption of the bills or notes issued by the said bank, in the same manner as in common actions of debt, and no stockholder shall be relieved from said liability by sale of his stock, until he shall have caused to have been given, sixty days notice in some public gazette in this State.” The charter does not declare that this liability shall extend beyond the expiration of the charter, as fixed in the Act of incorporation. Shall it be so extended by the interpretation of the Act ? If there be nothing in the Act to justify it, I do not feel warranted in so expounding it. This is not the case of the construction of an Act of the Legislature, according to its reasons and spirit. That happens when a question arises whether a particular case falls within the reason and spirit of a statute, which is unquestionably in existence, and of full force and obligation, as to cases falling within its letter. But the point here is, whether a temporary statute can be extended beyond the limit of its existence; and if some temporary statutes may be so extended, whether the statute under consideration is one of that description. It is as well settled as any principle in the books, that if a penal statute be repealed, or expire by its own limitation, a person offending against its provision cannot be prosecuted and punished, unless there be some provision made in that or some other statute, authorizing it. If judicial proceedings be begun under the Act, they cannot be pursued. 1 Kent Com. 465, and notes; The Bank of St. Marys vs. The State, 12 Ga. 575. So well is the principle understood inEngland,that Parliament expressly enacts sometimes, that the statute shall continue in force after it has ceased to operate substantially, for the purpose of supporting
The case of Stevenson vs. Oliver, 8 Messon & Wellsby, 235, furnishes an instance of a completely vested right under a tempory statute. That was an action on an apothecary’s bill. The defense was,- that the plaintiff was not a qualified apothecary under the statute, and could not therefore recover for services rendered. The plaintiff relied, for his authority to practice, on a warrant as assistant surgeon in the navy, which he held on the 9th of September, 1825. That, he contended, was sufficient underthe statute of 6 Ga. 4 c. 133, sec. 4, which enacted that any person holding such warrant in the navy, army,&c., should be entitled to practice as an apothecary, &c. Against this, it was said he-could practice but one year, as the 11th section of the statute enacted, “that this statute shall take effect from and after the passing thereof, and shall continue until the 1st day of August next, in the year 1826.” It was held that although the Act was temporary, the right acquired under it was not; thatthe apothecary acquired a perfect right. By the Act, the right became perfect, and in suing for his apothecary’s bill, all he had to do was to show he had a warrant as assistant surgeon in the navy. All that this
If the plaintiff’s right depend on the statute, and the statute has expired as to the bank, how can it exist as to the defendant,, and entitle the plaintiff to recover against him ?
Without a provision to that effect in the charter, the existence of a bank cannot extend beyond the time specified in the Act of incorporation for any purpose, not even to save its debts from extinguishment, its personal effects from forfeiture, and its lands from reversion. The effect of its dissolution, according to all law, is the extinguishment of its debts. Mr. Kyd says, in his treatise on corporations, that “the effect of a dissolution of a corporation is, that all its lands revert to the donor; its privileges and franchise, are extinguished; and the members can neither recover debts which were due to the corporation, nor be charged with debts contracted by it in their natural capacities.” 2 Kyd Cor. 516. He expresses a doubt as to what becomes of the personal estate. It is the debts, however, with which tve have to deal. The principle is expressly recognized by this Court in Hightower vs. Thorn
Again in Thornton vs. Lane the same learned Judge delivering the opinion of the Court remarked, “ why so much time and talent, labor and learning have been employed to establish a proposition which nobody denies,” viz: “ That the debts of a’corporation, either to or from it, are extinguished by its dissolution, I am at a loss to comprehend. Certain it is, it was recognized by this Court at this place, more than two years ago, as it had been on more than one occasion previously.” There is nothing in the charter of this bank to a -ert these consequences on its dissolution by its expiration. It was the law of the bank on the day it was organized, and if no. subsequent act saves the debts from extinction, they are gone to all intents and purposes. However unreasonable and unjust it may be, such is the law, and those who administer it are bound so to expound it. Such was the effect of the expiration of the charter upon the debts of the bank, so far as the bank as a corporate body is concerned. It follows as a sequence that the liability of the stockholders for the debts is gone also, unless the statute declare otherwise, because the debt being extinct as to the bank which is principal, must be extinct as to the stockholder also, whose liability is secondary; and if it be a mere statutory liability, without reference to a contract of any sort, the liability must cease with the statute by which-alone it had an existence.This Court has held it to be a statutory liability, and not created by contract either expressed or implied. Lane vs. Morris, 10 Ga. R. 164; Thornton vs. Lane, 11 Ga. R. 497. There
Such is the meaning affixed to the terms “ ultimate liability.” Upon that construction of them is the plaintiff now proceeding. It does not mean in this charter, that the stockholders shall be liable to redeem such notes as are in circulation after the expiration of the charter. If so, the suit in this case could not have been instituted until after that time. This Court has held that the remedy may be pursued after the judgment of forfeiture, but it has not decided that it could be pursued after the expiration of the law. The judgment of the Court, was upon the effect of the judgment of forfeiture upon the debts, and it is true the Court said, that the remedy against stockholders might be pursued after the final dissolution of the corporation which would include a dissolution by the expiration of the charter, but that was not the judgment of the Court, because the record did not make the point. Thornton vs. Lane, 11 Ga. R. 496.
But there is a view to be presented of this demand regarded as a statutory liability only, which would aid much in the construction of the charter, if there were anything ambiguous in it to construe. In the charters of several of the banks of this State, in which the stockholders are made individually liable, it is declared that the persons and property of the stockholders shall, at all times, be pledged and bound for the ultimate redemption of all notes or bills issued, &c. Here the terms “ at all times55 and “ ultimate/5 are used, one fixing the nature of the liability, and the other, its duration. Considering these charters as mere statutes, disconnected from the idea of contract, it follows that when the statute declares that the- persons and property of the stockholders shall be at all times bound and pledged for the ultimate redemption of notes, &c., there can be no limit in point of time, on the liability of the stockholders, for by positive enactment it is continued to the future indefinitely.
But in charters where the words “ at all times55 do not occur, the statutes do not create a perpetual liability, but that matter is left to the control of the common law.
Hence the words “ at 'all times55 not appearing in the charter of the Planter’s and Mechanics5 Bank of Columbus, it
I will now proceed to examine the charter as a contract, and ascertain the defendant’s liability in that aspect of the case. In England private acts of Parliament are regarded in the light of contracts made by the Legislature on behalf
It is probably a misfortune that any other decision was ever made in this country. All charters in this country are by Legislative acts, but they are nevertheless contracts.
The charter now under consideration was a contract. But the mere passing the act of incorporation did not make it a contract, although the names of certain persons were inserted therein as corporators. It was the subscription to the stock, or the acceptance of the charter which made it a contract; and, in determining upon that, each person acted on his own judgment, and is bound by the contract as he. made it. It is to be construed by the words, like all other contracts, according to the intention of both parties. That one of the parties is the Legislature does not vary the rule -of construction, nor does it give one party any greater power over the contract to add to its terms in any respect, than if both the contracting parties were persons. And the same may be said, if the contract be made in reference to an Act of the Legislature. The change of that Aet cannot add to the obligation of either party. Those principles were acted on in the case of the Union Bank of Maryland vs. Ridgly. That was a suit by|the plaintiff against the defendant as one of the sureties in the bond of Ralph Higginbottom, as
. On the 30th day of March, 1805,- he gave the bond and continued to be cashier and act in the capacity of cashier until the 25th day of May, 1819. In 1815 the Legislature extended the charter te the 12th day of January, 1835. Several breaches of the bond were assigned, such as embezzlement, false discountings, &c., by Higginbottom as cashier, extending down to the 25th day of May, 1819. It was contended that the bond was only co-extensive with the original Act of incorporation, which 'expired on the 6th February, 1817, being the end of the session of the Assembly next after the expiration of the year eighteen hundred and fifteen, and that the defendant was not liable for violations of the condition which took place after the expiration of the original charter. The Court in that case said that, in construing the bond, they must look to the intention of the parties at the time it was executed ; that the intention, when ascertained, must govern the contract of the parties. “ When the bond was executed, then, the Act of incorporation under which it was given was limited in its duration to the 6th of February, 1817. The bond looked to the time for which Higginbottom was appointed, and that was restricted by the limitation of the charter as it then stood. What then was the intention of the parties ? and where is that intention to be found ? Where but in the original Act of incorporation, under which the bond was executed ? And looking to that Act, it would seem very clear that no responsibility was contemplated beyond the period of its duration” — there was no idea then of carrying it any further. “ The parties knew the legal duration of the charter expressed upon the face of it; they contracted with a view to that duration and the contract
It cannot be inferred from the fact that the corporation being an artificial person, the debt is necessarily extinguished against it, there being nothing in the charter to prevent that effect by its dissolution, but that he being a natural person is capable of being sued. Nothing but a contract express or implied that these debts should remain debts against him can authorize their recovery from him, after they have become extinct, as to the party primarily liable. There is no express contract certainly to that effect. It cannot be inferred from the engagement to the tdtimate payment of the notes and bills. That word “ultimate” has been construed by this Court. Now what right had the subscribing stockholder to interpret that term as fixing on him a temporary liability,
The case cited from the Maryland reports was the case of a surety, and the liability of a surety is stricti juris’’ but the cardinal rule for expounding his contract is the same as that for expounding any other contract — the intention of the parties ; and I referred to that case for the purpose only of showing the rule and its application t® cases, where statutes affect contracts. In many of the cases, heretofore decided, stockholders have been referred to as sureties, and if that be the correct light in which they should be viewed, the law of sureties should be applied to them. I am not disposed to consider them as strictly sureties, for a surety is not interested in the consideration of the contract. Every stockholder, in this bank is interested in the consideration. My brothers, Lumpkin and Benning, have both expressed the opinion that they are sureties; but the former in a more recent opinion, has questioned the propriety of so considering them. In one view of the case, however, we are all agreed: that the liability is secondary and that is their contract. The Legislative construction is the same. By the Act of 1841, uto facilitate the collection of debts from incorporations and the stockholders thereof’ an execution could not be issued against stock
There being nothing in the charter of the Planters and Mechanics Bank of Columbus, to continue any of its powers or faculties, or to authorize the Legislature to continue them, without the assent of the stockholders, so as to prolong or perpetuate their personal liabilities, after the expiration of the charter, no Act of the General Assembly, however efficacious it may be, to save the property and effects of expired corporations for the benefit of their creditors and stockholders, can extend the duration of the personal liability of stockholders, without their consent, beyond the period, at which, according to the stipulations of the charter it was to end. Whether the stockholders are to be viewed as principals or sureties in the contract, the Legislature can not add to the terms of their obligation, without their consent, stipulations which did not belong to it when it was entered into. If by the charter as it was passed, the debts of the bank according to the existing law, would have become extinct on its expiration ; and the stockholders being only secondarily liable, whether as sureties or not, the'debt could not have been recovered against them ; except by express agreement, or one so strongly implied that the intention to be bound, could not be mistaken; the passing of a subsequent Act to preserve the debt from the effects of the then existing law as against the bank, cannot superadd terms to the stockholder’s contract. That stands as it was when entered into. As was truly said in the opinien of the Court, delivered in the case of Mumma vs. The Potomac Company, 8 Pet. 281, “ every creditor must be presumed to understand the nature and incidents of such a body politic,” (a corporation,) “ and contract with reference to them.” That the creditor does not understand the contract, is no reason, in law for the Courts to change or modify it, to conform to his notions of it. It must stand as the parties made it. Cases in New York have
That he contracted that liability in reference to the law, which at the time of subscription, would have extinguished the debts sued on, at the expiration of the charter, as the debts of the bank, the party primarily liable :
That the debts being extinguished as the debt of the party primarily liable, they would be extinguished as the debts of the party secondarily liable also :
That such being the contract of the party, no Act of the Legislature, subsequently passed, could vary it and extend the duration of his liability without his consent:
The Act of 1855, by changing ihe rule of the common law, in respect to the assets of dissolved corporations, did not convert the liability of the defendant, which by contract was limited in point of time, into a perpetual liability. That the defendant was transferee of the stock on which he is sought to be held liable does not vary the case, as the suit was instituted prior to the passing of the Act of 1855, and the transfer must of course, have preceded the suit. But I am not to be understood as holding, that if the defendant had taken the transfer of the stock subsequent to the passing of that Act, he would have been liable, and that in that respect, the contract of the original subscriber, would not have been his contract. I leave that question open.
I think therefore, that the request to charge the jury, as made by the counsel for the plaintiff in error in respect to the effect of the expiration of the charter on the debts sued on, ought to have been given by the Court, and that because of the refusal of the Court so to charge, the judgment of the Court below ought to be reversed. This decision is put on the ground herein stated, and not on the ground that for no cause can a stockholder in a bank or other corporation be sued after the expiration of its charter, or after its dissolution otherwise. All deceitful practicas by which others are defrauded
In the year 1852, the counsel for the plaintiff in error, sent me a copy of the argument which he had prepared in this . and other cases, as I supposed, involving the points made in the record in this case, and did me the honor to ask my opinion on them, which I gave him in a letter hastily written. Among the points on which I gave him my opinion, was the effect of the statute of limitations on suits against stockholders in the bank. Before the case in which the foregoing opinion is delivered, was reached on the docket, the counsel for the defendant in error placed in my hands a copy of that part of the letter above alluded to, which applied to the statute of limitations. When the cause was called for argument, he made a motion in open Court that I would not preside. 1 declined presiding on two grounds: 1st. Because I had, in that letter, given an opinion very fully, on one of the points in the record, and which opinion I considered as having been given in each and every case against stockholders of that bank, to which it applied, and was therefore within the spirit of the rule on which every member of the Court had acted since the organization of the Court, to-wit: if he had been employed in a particular cause, when at the bar, he would not preside in that cause, if carried to the Supreme Court by writ of error. I had not been employed in any of the cases, and for that reason, it was insisted that I should preside; but if the reason be a good one, which would render it proper that a Judge who had been, when an attorney, employed in a particular cause, and had advocated a principle, not because it was his opinion, but because it was necessary to the success of his case, should withdraw, if that cause was carried to the Supreme Court, and not preside when it was heard, it was more proper that a Judge should not preside, whose opinion, while at the bar, had been given under no such influence.
2d. Because it might give rise to a practice of seeking the
After I had declined presiding in the case, a proposition was made in open Court, that I should preside with my brother Judges and hear the cause, on all points except the statute of limitations, the point on which I had expre. sed an opinion. It was assented to, and I did preside. Since the decision of the cause, I have received a letter from the counsel for the defendant in error, in which he states, in substance, that he is satisfied that Col. Hines Holt has in his possession my written opinion on the question of the extinguishment of the debts of a corporation on its dissolution, obtained at the same time, and in the same manner, as was my opinion on the question of the statute of limitations,and which in my judgment had rendered me incompetent to preside in this case. He did not know, at the time, that such was the fact, and supposed that it had escaped my recollection. Pie had made an unsuccessful effort to obtain a copy of the opinion, that he might communicate it to me. On receiving that letter, I immediately wrote to Col. Holt, saying to him he had my full permission to communicate to Col. Dougherty, or any one else, whatever I had written or said to him in relation to the bank cases. I requested him to furnish me with the originals or copies of all writings of mine, whether letters ox-other things, which he had or could control, containing any matter or thing relative to the said cases. He sent me the letter from which Col. Dougherty had made the extract, which he placed in my hands, at Court, as the only writing
I have very fully considered this application, and the'reasons assigned for the request, and I will remark, that on reading the letter which I wrote to Col. Holt, in 1852, I found it was very full on many points involved in this case, and goes beyond the expression of an opinion of the effect of the dissolution of the corporation upon the debts of the bank. I cannot comply, however, with the request of the counsel, for various reasons:
1st. Upon objection being made to my presiding at the trial, I determined, for the reasons assigned, not to preside. My resolution extended to the whole case, and I should not have presideu to hear any part of it, but with the consent of counsel on both sides. The counsel for defendant in error assented. The reasons assigned for the request now made, was, that I had given a written opinion to Col. Holt, “ on the question of the extinguishment of the debts of a corporation on its dissolution.” On that question there is no disagreement among the members of this Court, nor in the legal profession, that I have ever heard. All concede it to be the law, that on the disssolution of a corporation its debts are extinguished.
In the next place, my judicial opinion on the precise pointis given in the published report of a case decided by this Court. Such an opinion could furnish no ground of objection to my presiding, it is true; but in this case, after I had declined pre
But I went further in my letter to Col. Holt, than to express an opinion, that on the dissolution of the corporation, the debts became extinct. “ The plaintiff at law,” I say in that letter, “ prosecuted suits to judgment on the notes of the bank, and having failed to collect the amount, he seeks to collect the amount from the defendant at law, as a stockholder. Can he do this? He cannot, I most respectfully think.” I gave no reasons for that opinion. But it was expressed, and although I had forgotten writing so full a letter on the points which I discussed, I should not have presided on the trial without the consent of all the parties. That I gave this opinion on the point, in the manner 1 did, is not, in my opinion, now that it is brought to my notice, sufficient to upset the judgment I have pronounced in this case. If so, the expression of any forgotten opinion on a case with which I had no concern as counsel, and on a point which it appeared I had not investigated, would disqualify me for presiding, if that cause should be brought before this Court. . But if I had argued this point as fully as I did the statute of limitations, still I ought not to do the opposite party the injustice of yielding to the request made of me. That letter had been read before the Supreme Court, in the presence of the counsel. It was so stated in Court.' That, however, was unknown to me, but it certainly put the counsel in possession of the contents of the letter. The extract with which he-furnished me, is from the same letter, and I must presume that he acquainted himself with the contents of the entire letter when he made the extract. If he had forgotten it, after having seen it so much more recently than I had, with a powerful motive to remember it, it is not remarkable that it had passed wholly from my mind, who had no reason to remember it. I cannot comply with the novel request of the counsel, but leave
Columbus, Jan. 4th, 1858.
Hon. Chais J. McDonald:
Sir : In a note to your written opinion in the case of Beall vs. Robison, as published in pamphlet form, giving your reasons for not complying with my request, as to limiting your judgment under the circumstances, to that particular case; I notice that you say, “ that letter” (meaning the one written by yourself to Col. Holt before your election, containing your opinion in the Bank cases) “ had been read before the Supreme Court in the presence of counsel. It was so stated in Court. That however was unknown to me, but certainly put counsel in possession of the contents of the letter.” You of course intend to be understood by the words “ in the presence of counsel,” to mean in my presence. Such is not the fact. The extract, a copy of which I furnished you, was read before the Court, but no other portion of that letter. That part containing your opinions, that the billholder could not recover, and that his debt was extinguished, &c., was never read in my presence, before the Court or any where else. Nor was it ever stated in Court in my presence, that the letter had been so read. The manner and connection in which the statement referred to is made by you, is well calculated, and in fact, does me very great injustice. As to your inferences, I have nothing to say. Perhaps you have the right to draw just such as you think proper. But when you come to state the facts from which they are drawn, I have the right to be correctly represented.
As the opinion referred to, as is understood, is in advance of many cases decided before it; I presume it has not as yet been authoritatively published in the Reports. I have thought it proper to bring this matter to your notice, that an
Yours, &c.
W. DOUGHERTY.
Marietta, 7th January, 1859.
Col. W. Dougherty:
I have received yours of 4th January 1858 — manifestly a mistake in the date, as to the year. My recollection of the statement in Court is such as I have stated it in my published note to which you refer. My recollection is further, that you were present when it was made, just as stated. I understood the counsel as speaking of the letter, the whole letter. If I find that I am mistaken in this, I will cheerfully correct it in an additional note, and if I find there is a mere difference of recollection between us, I will in a note to the decision in the Reports, give the account you give me of it in your letter with a great deal of pleasure. I have no disposition to do you the slightest injustice. I spoke of nothing but the statement in Court, as I had no personal knowledge of the reading of the letter or any part of it, before the Court at the time referred to by the counsel.
I have the honor to be, yours, &c.
ci-iarles j. McDonald.
Dissenting Opinion
dissenting.
On the 30th day of December, 1836, the Legislature incorporated a banking company, under the name of the Planters and Mechanics Bank of Columbus. Certain persons named in the charter, with all such as might thereafter become stockholders, were made and declared to be a body politic, by the name and style aforesaid. And it was provided amongst other things, that said corporation or company should continue until the first day of January, 1857. Prince, 124-5.
This proposition, or the principle at least involved in it, is not new in this Court. In the case of Moultrie and others against Smiley and Neal, 16 Ga. Rep. 289, the same question was made, and argued with a degree of learning and ability proportionate to its importance, and worthy of the high reputation of the eminent counsel engaged in the discussion. And after mature deliberation, this Court held, that an action brought against the directors of the Commercial Bank of Macon, to make them individually chargeable, under the personal liability clause of that charter, did not abate by the expiration of the charter, during the pendency and before the termination of the suit.
My opinion in that case occupies near forty pages of the Reports. To that, and to the concurring opinion of my brother Starnes, I refer, and reaffirm and adopt the same, (I will not re-write the argument,) without doubt or hesitation; but at the same time, with all the diffidence which the contrary judgment of my colleagues, and the magnitude of the interests involved, cannot fail to inspire. I am fully persuaded that the law, rightly interpreted, never was intended to work such gross and palpable injustice as the sanction of the doctrine, set up to screen this defendant, would establish. That this or any other bank may go on issuing bills and accumulating profits, by any and every means known to and practiced by moneyed institutions, till the day before their charter, expires — the set time for which is known to nobody, or but very few — and while they hold on to all the gaifis they ac
To my mind there is no obscurity in the charter oí this bank. To me it has been the guiding star through all the labyrinths of the multiplied, novel, and subtle discussions which have originated under it, within the last eight years. What saith the charter ? has been my constant and invariable enquiry. And to my humble understanding, it has never spoken but one language — the same that was announced first by this Court in Lane vs. Morris, 8 Ga. Rep. 476, in 1850, and which has been reiterated in every subsequent decision: and that is, that the right of the billholder; under the llth section of the charter, to hold the person and property of the stockholders pledged and bound for the ultimate redemption of the bills of the bank, in proportion to the amount of his shares, and the value thereof, is one which he may assert in his own name, before or after the dissolution of the corporation ; one which is wholly above and beyond the reach or control of any future legislation; and that this is a supplemental or superadded security for the benefit of the billholder. An able writer in one of the public gazettes insists, that the llth section of this charter has “ cut up by the roots all the common law nonsense, as to the dissolution working an extinguishment of all the debts of a corporation;” and contends, that it constitues the stockholders simply partners. And he remarks, that it is a legal novelty to hold, that upon a dissolution of a copartnership, its debts are thereby extinguished. In support of his position, he cites Angel and Ames on Corporations, pp. 478, 486, 493; 17 Mass. Rep. 334; 2 Wendell, 269 ; 2 Hill’s N. Y. Rep. 269 ; and 2 Kent’s Commentaries 316, where the Chancellor comments without disapproval of the case of Slee and Broom, where the Supreme Court and Court of Errors of New York held, that such' corporations were mere copartnerships. And that regard to the
And I will take leave to add, that this individual liability clause, in modern charters, must it seems to me, go far to modify much of the old common law upon the subject of corporations. That the corporators, thus made personally responsible, should stand in the same relation to creditors as the individuals who compose a simple copartnership, is most obviously just.
This same writer utterly, and very properly, repudiates the idea that the stockholders are sureties, merely, in the restricted and legal acceptation of that term; and with it, the deduction that the discharge of the principal — the bank — .is a discharge of the sureties — the stockholders. He says, and says truly, that when the stockholders are spoken of as sureties, guarantors, &c., it is a more convenient phrase to signify their ultimate liability. As well, he insists, may the members of common copartnerships, be called sureties, for they are not individually liable, till the partnership funds are exhausted.
“ What,” he asks, “is an incorporated bank separate and distinct from the stockholders ? Is it not a myth, a shadow, a figment of the brain? Has it flesh, or bones, or blood? No; but it has assets and tangible property. Was it not the stockholders, through their agents, the President, Directors and Cashier, who procured these assets and this tangible property ? And if these assets are missing or appropriated^ do they not disappear through the same agency ? Do not the stockholders claim these assets as their property ? Are not all contracts made with the bank, made for the benefit of the stockholders ? How absurd then to talk about stockholders being sureties for their bank !”
Chief Justice Bronson, anticipating that some honest
But it is said, that this being a statutory right, does not survive the statute. That by the charier, the bank is first liable for the payment of the bills; and that upon the failure of the bank, the stockholders are secondarily liable, under the 11th section of the charter. And it is earnestly asked, "Can
All I have to say, in answer to this position, so triumphantly assumed, is, that, in addition to the utter confusion of ideas, not to say sophistry, of endeavoring to separate the bank from the stockholders throughout this litigation — a notion so entirely demolished in the foregoing citations — I have attempted to demonstrate in Moultrie et al. vs. Smiley and Neal, and succeeded to my own satisfaction at least, that the debt,as against the bank itself, is said to be extinguished, not by any implied condition in the contract, but from necessity, because there was no person against whom it could be legally enforced. It was the reason assigned for the rule, in the Bishop of Rochester’s case, decided in the 38th of Queen Elizabeth — the earliest reported case upon the subject. It has been recognized and repeated in all the subsequent adjudications, from that day to this. And neither counsel, with all their vehement declamation, have been able to overthrow it; nor learned Judges, with all their research, to furnish any other.
If this be so, the interrogatories, so indignantly propounded, are pointless. For,'although you are unable to sue a party primarily liable, because he is dead and has no representative, that is no reason why theremedy of the bil[holders should not be enforced against another party secondarily liable; and that too, whether he be a surety proper, only, or not. And especially in a case like this, where the bank and the stockholders are, in reality, one and the same, and as indivisible as the Siamese twins.
Whose fault is it but the stockholders, that their bank charter was dissolved, by judgment of forfeiture, in June, 1843 ? What peculiar indulgence have they upon the Courts and the country ?. They failed to discharge their obligations to the public ; and for this default, after great forbearance, the Legislature directed their franchise to be revoked.
But it is urged that the Bank of St. Marys vs. The State, 12 Ga. Rep. 475, decides this case. If I am capable of comprehending the simplest doctrines of the law, there is not the remotest analogy between Winter’s case and this.
The Act of 1832 imposed a penalty of $100 for issuing or passing a change bill; to be recovered by suit; one-half ivhcn recovered, to be for the use of the State, and the other half to go to the informer. In 1851-2, before final judgment was rendered against the bank, the Act creating the offence and fixing the penalty,' was expressly repealed. And this Court held, and rightly, and the informer has acquiesced in it, by failing to prosecute a writ of error to the Supreme Court of the United States to reverse the judgment, as he threatened, and was encouraged by the Court to do; that no judgment could be awarded on the repealed statute ; that the repeal prevented the imperfect right from being consummated; that it was competent for the Legislature at any time to pas's such repealing act before final judgment; and that it mattered not, whether the whole penalty when recovered, is given to the public or to the prosecutor, or is divided between them.
In the case before us there was, in point of fact, no charter to expire by lapse of time. The charter had been terminated by a judgment of forfeiture, more than thirteen years previously; and notwithstanding this case went off upon this ground of the expiration of the charter. I cannot see how it could arise. One of the modes of dissolving a corporation is by forfeiture of its charter for an abuse of its fran? chises, by a judgment of a Court of Law. 2 Kent’s Com. 305; 1 Black. Com. 485; Angell & Ames on Corporations, 648, 2d edition ; 16 Maine Rep. 224, 314. Now, the Act of incorporation granted to this company in 1836, having been solemnly vacated and annulled in 1843, how it survived, to die a natural death in 1857, 1 do not understand.
I have neither the original bill of exceptions, nor a copy, nor the Reporter’s statement of the facts, before me, to enlighten me concerning this matter. Notwithstanding the dissolution in 1843, this Court has uniformly held, from the first cases in 8 Ga. Rep’s, 468, 486, down to the case of Adkins vs. Thornton 18 Ga. Rep’s, 325, that the stockholders were liable for the ultimate redemption of the outstanding
But the Legislature has been guilty of no such folly. On the contrary, by the successive Acts of 1841-42-43, it has kept alive the corporate liability itself, so far at least, as to preserve the assets for. the purpose of discharging the liabilities incurred. And if it be maintained that the old common
The principle, then, upon which the common law rule is upheld on the other side, having no foundation to stand on, in point of fact, in this case, the rule itself should not be administered.
But in addition to the Acts of 1840-41-42-43, which apply directly to the Planters and Mechanics Bank of Columbus, the Legislature, during the session of 1855-56, (Pamphlet Acts, 226,) passed a general law repealing, in express words, this rule of the ancientcommon law, and making specific provision for the collection of the assets of a defunct corporation. It was competent for the State to do this, evefl as it respects existing corporations: to declare that it would not seize and appropriate their property, either upon the forfeiture or expiration of their charters, but would provide for the appointment of a trustee to administer their effects, and apply the proceeds first t© the payment of debts, and next to the distribution of the surplus amongst the stockholders.
It has been intimated, that the omission of the Legislature to save the stockholders’ liability by this statute, is significant of their intention not to do so. ■ For myself, I have held from the beginning, that the security given under the 11th section of the charter, to the billholders of this bank, was beyond the reach and control of the Legislature. It was a statutory contract, which ran on for twenty years from the time the right of action accrued; and so the same Legislature has declared in accordance with the law and the decisions of this Court. (Pamphlet Acts, 233.) And hence the General Assembly would not be guilty of an act of supererogation, by enacting that which existed to the fullest extent already, ©ven if they were clothed with the constitutional competency to do so. But I forbear.
So numerous have been the adjudications already, upon these vexed and vexing bank questions, that it has become a matter of serious labor, as well as of embarrassment, to review them. The task would occupy a volume. I have tried faithfully, and to the best of my poor ability, to hold the scales in just equipoise, throughout this exciting and vexatious litigation. On the one hand giving to the charter that exposition which would effectuate the end for which it was granted, to-wit: security to billholders and to the public, and thereby, protection against an irredeemable paper currency. And on the other hand, shielding the members of this carporatiou against all suits or actions, at the instance of those who shared, or participated in any way, in the illegal, not to say fraudulent proceedings, which, were had preparatory to the organization of this bank. Under the salutary doctrines which wore enunciated in the case of McDou
Satisfied in having been fully sustained by the Legislature, as its records will show, in every important principle, which I have ruled in these cases, from the beginning down to the present time; a just reverence for what I believe to be the law, and a conscientious desire to discharge my duty, impose upon me the necessity of dissenting from the judgment rendered by a majority of the Court in this case.