Oren Lyman & Co. v. Wood

[114] The opinion of the court was delivered by Prout, J. The plea is bad. First, as it is not alleged that the writ was served on the trustee or that he accepted service. Unless served in some mode, he is not a party trustee to the suit, although named as such in the process. Pike v. Blake, 8 Vt., 400. Second, because the plea prays judgment of the process as against all parties. If the suit could not be maintained against the trustee, no reason is alleged why it could not against the principal defendant. The theory of the proceeding is that it could, and this is often the result in a trustee suit. But the demui’rer to the plea raises a question of substance aside from any technical defect in the plea. The question is new, but when considered with reference to the nature and object of the proceeding, it is not strange or singular. As embodied and expressed in the statute, in all its essential features and purposes, it is similar and was obviously derived from the English garnishee process, which had its origin in local custom and was confirmed by act of parliament. In England the proceeding is judicial; by which a creditor could obtain security for his debt upon the goods and property of his debtor in the possession of another, for the purpose, in the first instance, of compelling an appearance of the debtor to answer to the action, and afterwards, upon his continued default, of obtaining the goods and property absolutely in satisfaction of the demand. Magrath v. Hardy, 33 E. C. L., 974 ; Drake on Attachment, § 543. Referring to the legislation of this state upon the subject, and the language of the statute providing the remedy, it is evident that it was intended to so enlarge its operation as to embrace every person (with certain exceptions which are immaterial to the present question) having in his hands or possession goods, chattels, effects or credits belonging to the principal defendant. in the action, and as recognized in England. This is not only the language but the spirit of the statute, which should be expounded liberally in favor of creditors ; (Edson v. Trask & tr., 22 Vt., 18 ;) and in that view, it is immaterial whether the goods, chattels, effects or credits subject to attachment in this mode are in the hands of a co-plaintiff, or whether it is a credit or debt due as distinguished from specific personal property. If [115] it were property, in this limited sense, in the hands of the trustee belonging to the principal defendant, it is not claimed that it could not be reached by this process and in this action; and why not a credit or debt ? It is subject to attachment in this mode at the suit of other creditors, and no reason is intimated why it may not be as between these parties, except a supposed difficulty in enforcing the judgment against the trustee, who stands in this double relation to the suit. However that may be, the case is within the terms and spirit of the statute; and as remarked, it applies to every person indebted to another. It is so held in England, where the remedy originated and from whence it was derived ; and in Louisiana and Tennessee it has been held that even a sole plaintiff could charge himself as garnishee; and we must admit that to the principle, as applied to the facts in this case, we discover no objection. Grayson v. Vechee, 12 Martin, 680; Boyd v. Bayless, 4 Humph., 386. Any embarrassment likely to be encountered as between the plaintiffs and the trustee is a matter of no interest or importance to the defendant. If the recovery against the trustee is paid, that is all.he can demand or require, and possibly nothing less would protect the trustee against a recovery of the claim in favor of the defendant, and in respect to which he was adjudged chargeable. At all events, the recovery against the trustee creates a liability in favor of the partnership, which, unless voluntarily paid by the trustee, affords a ground for appropriate proceedings to compel it, and which it will be proper to consider when that question arises. "We hold, therefore, that the trustee was correctly adjudged chargeable upon the facts; leaving the parties in all other respects, and as affected by the conclusive character of the adjudication, as parties are left who are not thus connected. The judgment of the county court is affirmed.