Brothers v. Bank of British Columbia

Kelsay, J. It is assigned as error, in the first instance, that the Circuit Court held that the president of the Oregon City Paper Manufacturing Company, above named, had authority to confess a judgment against the company. We think this objection is not well taken, for the reason that, when an action is against a private corporation, confession of judgment must be made by the person who at the time sustains such a relation to the corporation as would authorize the service of a summons upon him. (Code, page 201, section 248.) The company was a private corporation. (Code, 658.) The service of a summons upon the president of a private corporation was authorized at that time, and is now [294] (Gen. Lams of 1866, page 9, section 54, sub. 1.) The confession of judgment being by the proper officer, the presumption is that he was duly authorized (Code, page 337, section 766, sub. 15); and there being no proof to the contrary, that presumption remains. It is also assigned as error that the Circuit Court held the statement of facts sufficient to authorize a judgment by confession. We hold that, after an action has been brought, the confession need not state the facts out of which the indebtedness arose. (Code, page 201, sections 247-8-9-50.) Otherwise, such statement is necessary. (Sections 251-2-3.) The confession and assent thereto were in. writing, subscribed by the proper parties making the same, and duly acknowledged by each. It is claimed that this must be regarded as a confession of judgment by statement, for the reason that, on the part of the bank, it was so characterized. It cannot be so regarded. The character and effect of the confession are fixed by law; and, notwithstanding parties may designate the'transaction by another name, the legal effect is unchanged. It is again assigned that the Circuit. Court erred in rejecting and not considering the affidavit filed by Hiller Brothers to sustain said motion. We think the court did not err in this instance; for the reason, that the confession and judgment were regular, and can only be impeached by a suit in equity on the ground of fraud, &c. When the judgment is irregular, then a motion supported by affidavit to-set it aside will lie. (3 Johns. Cases, 279.) Finally, as regards the objections to the confirmation of sale, the Code, page 217, section 293, sub. 1 and 2, provides: 1. The plaintiff in the writ of execution shall be entitled on motion therefor to have an order confirming the sale, at the term next following the return of the execution; or, if it be returned in term time, then at such term,'unless the judgment debtor, or, in case of his death, his representatives shall file with the clerk, ten days before such term, or, if the writ be [295] returned in term time, then five days after the return thereof, Jus objections thereto.” 2 “ If such objections be filed the court shall, notwithstanding, allow the order confirming the sale, unless, on the hearing of the motion, it shall satisfactorily appear that there were substantial irregularities in the proceedings concerning the sale, to the probable loss or injury of the party objecting; in the latter case, the court shall disallow the motion, and direct that the property be re-sold, in whole or in part, as the case may be, as upon an execution received of that date.” The debtor filed no objections as herein provided, and no irregularities having been shown, the «Circuit Court committed no error in confirming the sale. Judgment is affirmed.