39 La. Ann. 1043 | La. | 1887
The opinion of the Court was delivered by
The decedent, Kaspar Audi, left a large estate, which he disposed of by a "testament containing tlie following clause:
“I give and bequeath to the several incorporated religious associa-.
The executors named in the will opened the succession and caused the will to be probated.
The several incorporated Presbyterian churches of the ci.ty of New Orleans intervened in the succession by a petition praying for a citation of the executors and for a judgment recognizing them as sole residuary legatees and instituted heirs, and ordering the executors to sell the property and liquidate the succession.
After due proceedings such a judgment was duly rendered and signed. While it was in process of execution, Rosina Miller, a sister and legal heir of decedent, filed h petition citing the executors and the several residuary legatees, and praying for a judgmeut annulling both the will and the judgment.
The clause above quoted from the will is the basis of the attack, and its nullity is claimed on four grounds :
1st. Because it is therein attempted to create, hold aud perpetuate a fund not recognized by law.
2d. Because the said clause is in effect a fidei commissum, and substitution in violation of law ; and
3d. Because the said claimants and said legatees are incompetent to receive said legacies, the objects and purposes of same being beyond the scope of the power granted the churches by the laws of this State for the creation and government of the same.
4th. Because the said attempted distribution is too vague aud indefinite, and can never be carried into effect by reason of said vagueness and indefiniteness.
The first two grounds are frivolous.
The disposition contains not a single feature of the fidei commissum or prohibited substitution, and is the simplest possible example of a legacy to pious uses recognized in the text of our Code and favored in its judicial construction. Rev. C. C. 1549; Suc. of Vance, 39 Ann. 371; State vs. McDonough’s executors, 8 Ann. 171; Williams vs. Western Star Lodge, 38 Ann. 620; Suc. Mary, 2 Rob. 438; Fink vs. Fink, 12 Ann. 301.
As much may be said of the fourth ground. There is no intrinsic difficulty in determining what are.the incorporated Presbyterian asso
So far as the beneficiaries of the legacy are concerned, viz: “the poor of said respective churches,” there is no indefiniteness which is not inherent in all charitable bequests. This question was fully discussed and disposed of in the opinions of C. J. Eustis and Judge Rost, delivered in the McDonough will case, 8 Ann. 171, where it was said : “ It is plaiu that under the civil law it is no objection to the validity of a legacy to pious uses, that it is for the benefit of the poor, even without any designation of locality. There is no principle better settled than that such legacies are valid. Indeed, the very generality complained of is an illustration of,Christian charity; and uncertainty of individual object at the time of the gift is its character and element.”
The final contention that the corporations are incompetent to take because organized solely for religious, and not for charitable purposes, involves the monstrous proposition that charity is foreign to the purpose of Christian religious organizations — even charity to their own members. This is contrary to the general knowledge which we all have of the objects and practical workings of such organizations, and is contradicted by specific evidence in regard to these particular corporations showing that the care of their poor members is a special function in their economy confided to the direction of their deacons, who are officers constituted mainly for this purpose.
The laws under which such corporations are authorized expressly provide:
“ Said corporations shall be capable in law, according to the terms and conditions upon which the said corporations are formed and established, to take, receive and hold all manner of land, tenements, rents and hereditaments, and any sum of money, and any manner and portion of goods and chattels, given and bequeathed unto them or acquired by them in any manner respectively; to be employed and disposed of according to the objects, articles and conditions of the instrument upon which the corporations respectively are formed and established, or according to their articles and by-laws, or of the will and intention of the donors.” Sec. 681 R. S.
Exposition of a matter so plain would be “ lighting candles when the sun was shilling.”
Judgment affirmed.
