Schwartzman v. Tenneco Manufacturing Co.

OPINION OF THE COURT PER CURIAM: This appeal has been taken from a final order approving a compromise and settlement of certain litigation and dismissing the complaints accordingly. The original plaintiffs were minority stockholders of a corporation who believed that the corporation had been treated unfairly in certain intercorporate agreements and a subsequent merger. After considerable litigation the original plaintiffs joined in the proposed settlement. However, the appellant, an intervening minority stockholder, objected to the proposed settlement and now challenges the order confirming it. The principal contention now is that the appellant was not permitted to introduce evidence at the hearing during which the court entertained argument for and against the confirmation of the settlement. The record does not substantiate this contention. The appellant did not at any time call a witness to the stand or make any specific tender of proof or object to any ruling concerning evidence. The appellant’s present contention is based solely on a statement by the court during the hearing on the proposed settlement that “we are not going to try the case here”. This is an insufficient basis — 125 — for a charge that the appellant was not permitted to present any testimony. On the merits the record does not establish that the settlement was inequitable or that its judicial confirmation was error. The judgment will be affirmed.