Bennett v. Simmons

Bell, J. (After stating the foregoing facts.) The judgment overruling the plaintiff's general demurrer, being unexcepted to, stands as a solemn adjudication that the plea was good. Hollis v. Nelms, 115 Ga. 5 (4) (41 S. E. 263); Sims v. Georgia Ry. &c. Co., 123 Ga. 643 (51 S. E. 573); Dolvin v. American Harrow Co., 125 Ga. 699, 702 (54 S. E. 706, 28 L. R. A. (N. S.) 785); Pierpont Mfg. Co. v. Mayor &c. of Savannah, 153 Ga. 455 (1) (112 S. E. 462). If the plea was not good already, it must be treated as sufficient in the present consideration. Was it sustained by the proof ? Section 3545 of the Civil Code (1910) provides that “the surety may tender to the creditor the amount of his debt, and demand that the evidence of and the securities for the same be delivered up to him to be enforced against his principal or cosureties; and [532] a failure of the creditor to comply, when within his power, shall operate to discharge the surety.” It appears from the answer that the tender and demand set up by the defendant occurred during the lawful possession of the assets and business of the bank by the banking department of the State, and were made to a “ person in charge of the affairs of the bank,” other than the plaintiff himself, the superintendent, but placed there by him. The act of August 16, 1919 (Ga. L. 1919, p. 135), establishing the department of banking, and creating the office of superintendent of banks, provides that the seat of this office shall be at the State Capitol, Art. 2, sections 2 and 8. While this officer has possession of a bank only he or his authorized agent may collect its debts. Art. 2, sections 7 and 9. Although he is not required to transfer its assets and affairs to his office at the Capitol, he is not expected, under the act, to be present at all times at the office of the bank, either in person or by an agent clothed with his power. He may designate an agent to perform such duties connected with the liquidation as he himself in person could do. Art. 2, sections 9 and 10. But the circumstances of a particular ease may not in his judgment demand the appointment of such agent. He may conclude to surrender the bank to its officers. Art. 7, see. 6. The' fact that some person is, during his control, in the building or office of the bank, engaged in work upon its books or papers, does not, without more, establish that the person has authority to make collections. This is true for the reason, among others, that “ the superintendent may employ such attorneys and procure such expert accountants and other experts, assistants and employees as may be necessary in the liquidation and distribution of the assets of such bank, and may retain such of the officers or employees of such bank as he may deem necessary.” Art. 7, sec. 10. Persons so employed might be present at the bank for no other purpose than that of making an audit. In the interim the necessity of liquidation and the appointment of an agent with the authority of collection, entailing expense, may not have been determined. It certainly could not be claimed that during this period the superintendent himself should abandon the seat of his office, from which he is to render his service to the State as a whole, merely for the purpose of remaining at the bank to receive such tenders as may formally be made by persons indebted. [533] No proof is submitted of the authority of the person to whom the tender and demand were made. The defendant did not carry the burden of proving his plea that the tender and demand were made to a “ person in charge of the affairs of the bank.” As .a part of the same transaction, the person referred to declared his lack of authority. The testimony went only to the extent of showing that the person was in the lank, apparently as some clerical employee, but declaring that he was not in charge of its ,affairs. For aught that is shown, the tender and demand were properly refused. Although the plea was adjudged to be good, since the proof does not measure therewith, we may legitimately observe that if the evidence as submitted should establish the defense as claimed, it would be possible for the surety, upon every obligation held by a bank of which the superintendent may take charge, to enter at once and tender the payment to some clerical employee, 'and become totally discharged upon the' tender being refused, however proper its rejection might be. If a surety upon a note which is payable to a bank whose affairs are in the control of the superintendent of banks desires to exercise the rights given under section 3545 of the Code, the tender and demand must be made either to the' superintendent himself or to some agent empowered to act, in the manner provided by law; and if the tender is made to an agent, the burden of proving his authority will rest upon the surety. 21 B. C. L. 19. If this should require that in some instances the tender should be made at the superintendent’s office at the Capitol, and thus work a hardship, we should reply that in the case now.before us the notes were signed after the passage of the act.now in question, and the possibility of such a burden was thereby assumed. The defendant cannot be discharged merely by the failure of the superintendent. to have some one at the bank to accept the tender (although this is not exactly the plea), nor is it to be presumed that every person who may be in the physical custody of the building or of the bank’s papers is vested with the power to collect its debts. The assets of the bank while thus under official control are held in trust for the depositors and creditors. They are really in the custody of the law, and its moneys are to be handled by those only whom the law shall name. A verdict for [534] the defendant was neither demanded nor authorized under the proof as submitted, and it was. error to direct it. Nothing contained in section 25 or section 26 of article 7 of the act, regarding the election of a liquidation agent to wind up the affairs of the bank for the benefit of the stockholders, will alter the case at bar, for the reason that these sections are applicable .only “whenever the superintendent shall have paid to each and every depositor and creditor of such bank .whose claim shall have been duly proven and allowed, the full amount of such claim, and. shall have made proper provision for unclaimed and unpaid deposits and-.disputed claims and deposits, and shall have paid all the expenses of liquidation. ” Art. 7, sec. 25. , The fact that the suit in this case proceeds in the name of the superihtendent as -.plaintiff,. with the admissions of the answer, conclusively shows that no agent had ever- been elected under the provisions of these sections. Judgment reversed.- Jenkins, P. J., and Stephens, J., concur.