delivered the opinion of the Court at the ensuing June term in Somerset.
The objection of the defendants goes merely to the form of the action, and has no connexion whatever with the merits. A joint action, if maintainable, is more convenient and. less expensive than several actions founded on the award.' The submission was a joint one on the part of the plaintiffs, of their claims against the estate of Joseph Sprague 3 and Mrs. Healey, his widow, before her marriage, as administratrix on her late husband’s estate, was a party to this submission, making no objection to the joinder at the time of the submission or at any subsequent stage of the proceeding. The arbitrator found that the sum of $825,80 was due to the plaintiffs 5 and for this amount ho awarded in their favor 5 and this is ail ho was authorised to do by the terms of the submission. It is true' that in the award he goes on, and makes a division of that sum, ap - propriating to each plaintiff a certain proportion of it. It does not appear that this appropriation was incorrect or unsatisfactory to either of them. Suppose they had made an amicable arrangement among themselves, apportioning the $825,80 in the same manner, no one would contend that the form of action on the award would in the least be affected by it. The verdict is for a gross sum, and if judgment be rendered thereon, and the money paid on execution, the plaintifls will apportion it among themselves, according to the terms and provisions of the award. No informality will appear on the record. The verdict will support the judgment. If it be said that by a joinder of all the plaintiffs in the action, either of them may release the whole judgment, to the prejudice of the others, it may be answered that the plaintiffs voluntarily placed themselves and their rights in this situation, and they apprehend no danger or loss; and why should the defendants be so anxious for the preservation of others11 rights, when payment to any one of the plaintifls will be a discharge and satisfaction of the judgment ? Besides, if either should receive more than his proportion, he would be accountable to the others for the surplus, in an action for money had and received. Supposing tiitidoie that independently oi the joint submission
Judgment on the verdict.
