Murray Drug Co. v. Harris

July 23, 1907. The opinion of the Court was delivered by In April, 1906, W.E. Harris, one of the defendants herein, conveyed to W.W. Abbott, a codefendant, his entire stock of goods, consisting principally of cigars, tobacco, etc., for the sum of twenty-eight hundred fifty-nine dollars and sixty-four cents. This action was brought under the act of 1906, 25 Stat., 1, which sets out the manner in which mercantile stocks may be transferred in bulk, by the plaintiffs, Murray Drug Company and Cliff Weil Cigar Company, creditors of W.E. Harris, in their own behalf and for the benefit of such other creditors as would come in and share the expenses of the suit. The complaint alleges that Harris violated the act in that he did not make a full schedule of his creditors; that Abbott and Harris did not join in giving ten days' written or printed notice of the proposed sale; that the sale was fraudulent and void. The plaintiffs prayed that the Court enjoin Abbott from disposing of the property conveyed and that personal judgment be issued against him for the amount of the goods already disposed of. Answering the complaint, Abbott denied that the sale was fraudulent or in violation of the said act, and further alleged that in April, 1906, he was approached by one E.K. Gibson with a view to selling *Page 412 the stock of goods of W.E., Harris; that Gibson was present at the sale and knew all of the surrounding circumstances; that W.E. Harris, in consideration of a previous loan of nineteen hundred dollars, in the presence of all parties to the transaction, indorsed two of the notes given in payment for the stock of goods to E.K. Gibson; and, finally, that Gibson was a partner in business with W.E. Harris and should be made a party defendant to the action. On July 6th, 1906, his Honor, Judge J.C. Klugh, upon motion of Abbott's attorneys, issued a rule, requiring Gibson to show cause why he should not be made a party to the action. On account of press of business Judge Klugh, with the consent of the attorneys, afterwards changed the order and made it returnable before Judge Ernest Gary on July 24th, 1906. Upon hearing the return Judge Gary filed an order dismissing the motion, and it is from this order that defendant, Abbott, appeals. The Code of Civil Procedure, sec. 140, provides that "of the parties to an action, those who are united in interestmust be joined as plaintiffs or defendants"; and also, sec. 139, "Any person may be made a defendant who has or claims an interest in the controversy adverse to the plaintiff, or who is a necessary party to a complete determination or settlement of the questions involved therein." It will be noticed that the first clause is mandatory. Therefore, if Gibson is united in interest with Abbott or Harris, he must be made a defendant. In order to constitute him a partner, however, and thus make him united in interest with them, it must be shown that he contributed to the common property, shared in the profits, and that there existed between him and Harris mutual agency in the conduct of the business. These are the incidents of partnership (Price v. Middleton Ravenel, 75 S.C. 105), and unless they appear this Court cannot hold that a partnership exists. That they do not appear in this case is evident. There are no facts set forth showing that Gibson contributed to the capital stock. It is true, that it is alleged that Gibson *Page 413 lent Harris nineteen hundred dollars to be used in the business, but the lending clearly negatives the idea of investment as a partner. Neither is there evidence showing that he shared in the profits nor that mutual agency existed. Therefore, Gibson was not a partner and not necessarily a party to the action. Admitting, for the sake of argument, that Gibson is interested in the outcome of the suit, we proceed to consider if this necessarily makes him a party. This section instead of being mandatory is permissive. Persons interested in the controversy or necessary to a complete determination of the action may be made defendants. The following language, quoted in Bank v. Seton, 1 Peters, 299, 305, is appropriate here: "The general rule as to parties undoubtedly is, that when a bill is brought for relief all persons materially interested in the subject of the suit ought to be made parties, either as plaintiffs or defendants; in order to prevent a multiplicity of suits, and that there may be a complete and final decree between all the parties interested. But, this is a rule established for the convenient administration of justice, and is subject to many exceptions, and is more or less a matter of discretion in the Court." The power being discretionary, the only logical person in whom it could be placed is the Circuit Judge. He having dismissed the motion, therefore, this Court, in the absence of abuse of discretion, will not interfere. It is the judgment of this Court, that the judgment of the Circuit Court be affirmed. July 23, 1907.