Mechanics' Savings Inst'n v. Givens

Mr. Justice Scott delivered the opinion of the Court: Under the 37th section of the Attachment Act, all judgments in attachment against the same defendant, returnable at the same term, and all judgments in suits by summons, capias or attachment against such defendant, recovered at that term, or at the term when the judgment in the first attachment upon which judgment shall be recovered is rendered, shall share pro rata, according to the amounts of the several judgments, in the proceeds of the property attached, either in the hands of the gar-nishee or otherwise. 3STo controversy would have arisen in this case, had the writ of attachment been sued out more than ten days before the term of court at which the several judgments in favor of the other attachment creditors were rendered, notwithstanding no judgment was rendered in favor of plaintiff in error until the next succeeding term, to which the cause was continued for want of service in time. But the writ of attachment was issued only two days before the term of court to which it was made returnable, and that, it is insisted, is inhibited by the first section of the Practice Act. It is a matter of doubt, whether that section of the statute has any reference to or was intended to regulate the practice in attachment cases. The sixth section of the present Attachment Act, which gives the form of the writ, is a literal transcript of the act of 1845 on the same subject. The form of the writ seems to indicate it was, in all cases, to be made returnable to the next succeeding term, without reference to the number of days that intervened the issuing of the writ and the convening of court, and such was the uniform practice under the former statute. Where less than ten days intervened, the cause had to be continued, as a matter of course. It would seem, the same construction ought to be adhered to, especially where the legislature has manifested no intention to change the practice that had prevailed for so many years under that statute. But, conceding the first section of the Practice Act was intended to regulate the practice in attachment, as well as other civil cases, still, we think, under a fair construction, the writ was properly made returnable to the next term of court. That section, it will be observed, makes all process in civil actions returnable to the next term of court in which the action is commenced, and where less than ten days intervene the issuing of the summons and the next term of court, it shall be made returnable to the succeeding term, but the plaintiff may elect to have the summons made returnable at any term of court which may he held within three months after the date of the writ. Construction can hardly make this latter clause plainer than it is. There is no ambiguity in it. A right of election is given plaintiff, where he can not have a trial at the next term of court, for want of service in time, to have the summons or other process returnable at any term to he holden within the next three months, no matter if the next term may commence on the next day. Obviously, if the summons is made returnable to a term that commences within ten days, the result will be, as a matter of course, the cause will have to he continued to a succeeding term, because no service can be had that will bring the party lawfully into court. Whether there is any ambiguity in the other clause of this section, clearly there is none in this latter provision. Construing the preceding clause to mean that, where less than ten days intervene, the summons shall he made returnable to a succeedmg term, then force and effect is given to the whole, and each provision of the section. The only uncertainty is found in the second clause, and that is removed by the construction adopted. Some incongruous phrases and expressions, and, others of doubtful meaning, may be discovered in many acts of the legislature. This imperfection may arise from the hurried manner in which much of our legislation is enacted. Where it is at all practicable, the whole act or section should he read together, and so construed as to make it harmonious and consistent in all its parts. Construing the whole of the first section of the Practice Act together in the manner indicated, we find it entirely harmonious, and containing no conflicting provisions. It is the duty of the court to so construe all statutes as to make them consistent, and give full effect to what is the plainly expressed legislative will. Under this view of the meaning of the statute, the attachment writ was properly made returnable to the next term of the court in which the action was commenced, notwithstanding less than ten days intervened. It was a term of court to he holden within three months after the date of the writ, and plaintiff had the right to elect to which term he would. make it returnable. Exercising the privilege of election, the statute saved to plaintiff the right to share fro rata in the proceeds of the property attached, with the other creditors who obtained judgments at that term of court. The judgment will be reversed and the cause remanded. Judgment reversed. Mr. Justice Walker: I am unable to concur in the judgment rendered in this case.