Wood v. Treleven

74 Wis. 577 | Wis. | 1889

Cole, 0. J.

The real question in this case is, Was the. claim against the United States for damages by reason of the flowage of land submitted to and passed upon by the arbitrators ?

The submission was of all actions, cause and causes of actions, suits, controversies, claims, and demands whatsoever pending and existing between the parties. The submission is surely broad enough in its terms to include every controversy or demand existing between the representative of the estate of Thomas J. Wood, and the widow and heir of that estate. The submission recites that controversies existed between these parties in relation to divers subjects, as we understand, growing out of the settlement of that estate; that is, as we suppose, there was a dispute as to the indebtedness, or the extent of the indebtedness, of the executor. The parties agreed to submit the matters in dispute to the decision of arbitrators. No mention is made of any particular controversy, claim, or demand, but all controversies- and demands of every nature were submitted. The presumption is that the arbitrators considered every matter submitted, and made an award in respect to it. They made a general award, determining all matters and controversies in dispute arising from the settlement of the" estate. The executor was to pay the fees of the arbitrators, and also pay a specified sum of money to Mrs. Wood and the daughter. He was also to convey to Mrs. Wood the-two lots named; or, if she elected, to pay her $800 instead of conveying the lots.

Now, upon these facts, the presumption is irresistible that the award included everything, and determined the liability of the execptor, or the extent of his liability arising from the settlement of'the estate. This is the necessary presumption or inference to be drawn from the submission and-award. The rule is that every reasonable presumption will be made for the purpose of upholding the validity of an award, so as to give effect to it and accomplish the ends of justice. Morse, Arb. 411; Russ. Awards, 264, 688; Bancroft v. Grover, 23 Wis. 463; Call v. Ballard, 65 Wis. 187.

This presumption, arising from the face of the award itself, that the claim for damages was submitted, is strengthened by the parol evidence given relating to that point, and the probabilities of the case. The executor himself swears that the claim was submitted to the arbitrators. The arbitrator Bartlett says that the claim was considered by the arbitrators in making their decision. The other surviving arbitrator,, Simmons, has no recollection whether it was considered or not. Miss Wood thinks the claim was not' submitted, but she was present at only one session of the arbitrators, at the house of her mother. It seems very improbable that this claim was not submitted. An award of damages had been made in favor of the estate to the amount of $1,466. The United States had. taken an appeal to the circuit court from this award, and the cause was pending in .that court when the submission was made to the arbitrators. The same attorney who prosecuted the claim for damages was the attorney of Miss Wood before the arbitration. It is incredible .that this large claim in favor of .the estate should have been overlooked or not considered in' an inquiry to determine the liability of the executor growing out of his administration of the estate. It constituted the most important item in amount of the assets, and it is improbable that it was not considered. True, no mention is made of it, either in the submission or award; but we cannot presume from that fact that it was not considered. The executor testified that every species of property, of whatsoever name and nature, was handed in on both sides by the parties to the arbitration; and the presumption is that all these matters "were considered by the arbitrators. The arbitrator Simmons, while he has no recollection of this claim against the United States being considered, yet, in effect, says the executor was to take the toll-gate property, subject to the mortgage upon it, in part settlement. This Avas the land, a part of which had been overflowed. Therefore, .considering the whole case, the evidence is conclusive that the claim for flknvage was submitted and passed upon by the arbitrators, and all the circumstances support that conclusion.

It is suggested that secs. 3544, 3545, E. S., would not permit the arbitrators to consider this claim. It is not obvious what bearing these provisions have upon the question. There is no proof that any one of the heirs Avas an infant, nor Avas there anything in the nature of this claim Avhich would prevent it from being a subject for arbitration. True, it was in a sense a contingent claim, subject to further litigation; but still it might well be a matter in dispute be-tAveen the parties as to Avho was really entitled to the money which might eventually be realized on that claim. There Avas evidently a dispute as to the indebtedness, or the extent of the indebtedness, of the executor, groAving out of his administration of the estate of Wood; and it is apparent the award was intended to, and did in fact, include all matters which had a bearing on that issue.

The executor should be allowed the amount which he received from the government of the United States for the fiowage as justly belonging to him, and his account should be settled on that basis.

By the Court.— The judgment of the circuit court is therefore reversed, and the cause is remanded to that court with directions to remand the same to the county court for further proceedings according to law.