Wagner v. St. Francis Xavier Benefit Society

Gill, J. Plaintiff’s counsel having so clearly and fairly stated the nature of this controversy, we shall, with some little addition and correction, adopt the same as our own: Statement; This is a suit of Christina Wagner, the childless widow of August E. Wagner, to recover a death benefit of defendant society, of which August E. , ' Wagner, her husband, was a member at the time of his death. At the return term of court the defendant appeared and pleadings being waived, the parties submitted the cause to the court on an agreed statement of facts. We are not informed by the statement of facts as to the amount of the death benefit nor the manner of its collection; it seems this was not considered material by the parties, for the reason that the money had been in fact collected and paid to Egid Wagner, father of the-deceased member, who claimed it under his son’s will, the society talcing a bond to protect it against the claims of all other persons. The society was organized under section 2823, Revised Statutes, 1889. The constitution defining the objects of the association, provides among other things for “material support in cases of sickness and death of the rightful members, their ividows and orphans.” The by-laws governing the payment of death benefits provide that a member can dispose of the death benefit, by testament, and if not so disposed of it shall be paid, first, to the widow; second, if there is no widow then to the children of the deceased member; third, if there be no widow nor children the money shall be paid in equal shares to the parents and brothers and sisters. The member attempted by will to dispose of the death benefit to his father, “in order to reimburse him for the expenses of my last sickness and [165] funeral, and for such other expenses as he may defray for me in the future, including requiem masses for the repose of my soul.” It was also conceded that the father paid out on account of his son’s funeral and expenses attending his last illness more than the amount received on account of the death benefit. The only question presented to the trial court was whether August E. Wagner could dispose of this death benefit to his father for the purposes mentioned in the will, it being agreed that the father was not a dependent upon his deceased son. The court held he could not, and rendered judgment for the plaintiff for $287.50, being the amount which it appears from the agreed statement of facts was collected for the death benefit. From this judgment defendant appealed. beneficiary: stltmement' In my opinion the judgment of the trial court was correct and ought to be affirmed. These benevolent, religious societies, when conducting this quasi insurance business, are bound by the restrictions and limitations placed. on them by the statute which gives them life. They have no power or authority therefore to transcend these limits; and if they attempt to provide for the' relief of persons not named in the statute, or shall recognize as beneficiaries such as are not named in their organic law, such acts are ultra vires and void. Neither does it lie in the power of the party whose life is, after a manner, insured to- divert the fund from the objects named in the statute. Bacon, Ben. Soc., see. 168; Keener v. Grand Lodge, 38 Mo. App. 543, 549; Masonic Ben. Ass’n v. Bunch, 109 Mo. 560, 578; Grand Lodge v. Elsner, 26 Mo. App. 108; Briggs v. Earl, 139 Mass. 473; National Mut. Aid Ass’n v. Gouser, 43 Ohio St. 1; Kentucky Masonic Mut. v. Miller’s Adm’r, 13 Bush (Ky.), 489. [166] “Our statute reads: “Fraternal beneficial societies may provide for the relief ánd aid of their members and families, widow’s, orphans, or other kindred dependents of deceased members, or for assisting such as may be sick or disabled, from the proceeds of assessments upon the members of such society or association; and to that end may issue to its members beneficial certificates, payable at such time and in -such manner-as shall be therein provided,” etc. This statute contemplates assistance to the member and his family during his life, or the payment (after death of the member) of a benefit fund to the widow, orphan, or other kindred dependent. The fund here in controversy was such as arose, or was collected, after death of the member. This, under the statute, belonged, and must go to the widow, since there were no orphan children nor “other kindred dependent,” for it is admitted that the father, who claims the fund was not dependent, on his deceased son. We may state here, as was said in a Kentucky case, 13 Bush. 489, supra, that the defendant’s charter (which is the statute before quoted) has prescribed “who shall be the beneficiaries of the membership after the death of the member, and it is not in the power of the company or of the member, or of both, to alter the rights of those who by the charter are declared to be the beneficiaries.” In Briggs v. Earl, supra, the question was as. to the validity of an assignment of the benefit fund made by the member to a creditor. The court held the assignment void, and in the course of the opinion used this language: “The purpose for which they (said associations) can be formed is strictly limited by statute to rendering assistance to the widow and orphans of deceased members or other persons dependent on them; that is to say, after the support and assistance of the member have been withdrawn by death, the corpo [167] ration then is to step in and supply his place in a measure. The purpose is not to assist wives and children, but widows and orphans. * * * The statute intends á particular and special method of assistance to the designated classes of persons after the member’s death; and the purpose of the statute would be defeated by allowing an assignment, during the member’s life, to his creditors, as collateral security. The assignment to Earl was therefore invalid.” The principle of that ease is applicable here. The elder Wagner was and is a creditor of his son, and nothing more so far as the law of this case goes. As already explained, and as admitted by the agreed facts, he was not a dependent of his son, and not therefore within the class of beneficiaries named in the statute. His attitude before the court is the same as any stranger in blood would be. He claims under an assignment by will, but in this his case is no stronger than if the transfer had taken effect during his son’s lifetime. Neither is the elder Wagner’s claim any the more effective because his son owed him for expenses incurred during the young man’s last illness. The claim of the father is one appealing strongly to one’s sense of justice, but yet we have no authority to measure the rights of the parties by any other rule than that applied in other cases. That provision contained in the defendant’s by-laws authorizing a member to dispose of the death benefit by will must be construed as authority only to designate any of the parties named in the statute — that is, widow, orphan, or kindred dependent — for beyond that it would contravene the statute and could have no force or effect. [168] „ Triar practice: ftataemCTtagreed [167] It is wholly unnecessary to discuss or pass upon certain objections made to plaintiff’s petition. The [168] case was. not tried on the petition. The , x Parkies came into court, waived the ordinary pleadings, and submitted the controversy on an agreed statement of facts. The o.nly question for determination was, and is' • what is the proper judgment on these conceded facts. The judgment of the circuit court is affirmed. All concur.