Campbell v. May

STONE, J. — We do not think there is anything in the point, that the record in this case contains no fiat, granted by a judge of the circuit court, authorizing the issue of a supersedeas. The bond recites that such order was made, and we think this sufficient evidence of the fact. — See Henderson v. Bank of Montgomery, 11 Ala. 855-59; Mead v. Figh, 4 Ala. 279; Meredith v. Richardson, 10 Ala. 829. The demurrer to the petition for supersedeas was rightly sustained. The plain, unmistakable language of the.agreement signed by Messrs. Lapsley & Hunter, contains two distinct, and, as we think, alternate stipulations. It provided, first, that the transfer of appellant’s claim for services as special register, in the case of Pearson and others v. Darrington, was to be a full satisfaction of the judgment, if the sum of seven hundred dollars is [was] allowed and [569] realized on said claim. Secondly, if said sum is not allowed and realized, whatever less sum may be realized and allowed, is to be applied, as far as it will go, to the satisfaction of said iudgment. There was only the sum of five hundred dollars allowed for said services. Hence, the event, on the happening of which this allowance was to be “ a full satisfaction of the judgment,” never happened. It is no answer to this view, that the remaining two hundred dollars were paid by the petitioner. That payment did not bring the case within the terms of the contract; and, consequently, does not authorize the supersedeas in this case. Each party has the clear right to stand on the terms of his contract; and we have no authority to engraft other stipulations upon it, upon the idea that such stipulations would be equally beneficial with those actually agreed on. We sit here to enforce, not to create or modify contracts. Ye find no provision in the Code, which authorizes a summary judgment on a bond such as is copied in this record. This is an ordinary supersedeas, granted by a circuit judge under section 629, subdivision 1, of the Code. The only sections which refer, in express terms, or by fair implication, to the writ of supersedeas, in its general acceptation, are the one above cited, and section 2406, subdivision 2. Neither of them mentions a bond, or any mode of fixing liability upon it. We will not say a judge may not, in all cases, demand a bond as a condition upon which he will grant a supersedeas. It is clear, however, that the right to render a summary judgment upon such bond is purely statutory; and if the statute give no such right, the judgment can not be rendered. If it be contended that section 2415 of the Code authorizes a summary judgment on all bonds taken under the provisions of that chapter, the answer is, that this bond does not belong to that class. The sections 2407, 2408, 2409, 2410, and 2411, show the class of bonds specially referred to in that chapter. They are bonds given under sections 2407-8 upon the order of a circuit judge, as is shown by section 2409. Sections 2410-11 are but a continuation of the relief provided by sections 2407-8-9. [570] The bonds mentioned in section 2415, when taken pursuant to an order made by a circuit judge, must refer to the sections above named, for no other bonds are in terms authorized by any provision of that chapter. Note bt Reporter. — On a subsequent day of the term, the following opinion was delivered: It results from these principles, that the circuit court of Dallas erred, iu rendering judgment upon the supersedeas bond. After sustaining the demurrer to the petition, the court should have rendered no further judgment than one against the petitioner, for costs. Under section 3034 of the Code, it is our duty to render such judgment as the court below should have rendered, when the record enables us to do so. The record in this case does enable us to do so. It is therefore considered by the court, that the defendant’s demurrer to the petition be sustained, and that the petition be dismissed; and that the defendant recover of the petitioner the costs accruing under said petition in the court below. Let the appellee pay the costs of this appeal. STONE, J. — Since the foregoing opinion was pronounced, the counsel for the appellee has submitted an application for a rehearing, on that portion of the opinion which asserts that the Code confers no authority for rendering a summary judgment against the sureties on the supersedeas bond. Ve have re-examined the sections of the Code to which our attention- has been directed, and the result is a confirmation of our' first opinion. .Section 2406 of the Code confers on the 'circuit court power “ to secure parties or privies in their rights, against ,any oppression or abuse of execution, or upon any release, discharge or payment after judgment.” It will be observed that this section speaks alone of the {> circuit court,” and not of judges of the circuit court. Between the circuit court, and the judge of that court, there is a wide and well defined distinction. — Ex parte Grant, 6 Ala. 91. [571] Chapter 17, title 1, part 3 of the Code, page 443, commencing with section 2406, observes that distinction. It contains no provision for a petition “to a judge of the circuit court,” as the initiatory process for obtaining the relief provided by section 2406. Section 2409 does authorize such petition, in cases within the provisions of sections 2407 and 2408. All the subsequent sections of the chapter relate, either expressly, or by necessary implication, to cases commenced “ by petition to a judge of the circuit court,” as provided by section 2409, and can not be made to apply to the provisions of section 2406, unless, perhaps, in one contingency. If the circuit court, under the authority conferred by section 2406, make an order for stay of execution, and require a bond as a condition of such stay, we do not now decide whether section 2415 would apply to such bond. "We hold, that the supersedeas and bond in this case are dependent for their validity on the principles of the common law, and section 629, subdivision 1, of the Code; and, as a consequence, that no summary judgment could be rendered on it, or summary execution issued against the sureties.