Case ID: misc_12/html/0468-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      McAdam, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

The People ex rel. William J. Hoffman v. Charles B. Tedcastle, Transfer Agent.
    (New York Superior Court
    Special Term,
    May, 1895.)
    A peremptory writ of mandamus can only issue where the facts are undisputed and it is within the power of the person to whom the writ would issue to perform the act.
    A peremptory mandamus to compel the transfer agent of a foreign corporation to exhibit the transfer book to a stockholder cannot be granted where the opposing affidavits show that such books have been sent to the home office and are not under the agent’s control.
    Motion by relator for peremptory mandamus.
    
      Welch <& Daniels, for relator.
    
      Holmes c& Adams, for respondent.
   McAdam, J.

The defendant is the New York transfer agent of the Oregon Improvement Company, a foreign corporation created under the laws of Oregon and doing business at Portland in that state. The relator, a stockholder of the company, requested the transfer agent to exhibit to him the transfer book and a list of the stockholders. Laws of 1892, chap. 688, § 53; Laws of 1842, chap. 165, §§ 1, 2; Matter of Sage, 70 N. Y. 220; Matter of Martin, 62 Hun, 557; People ex rel. Harriman v. Paton, 20 Abb. N. C. 172,195; Ross v. Wigg, 34 Hun, 193. The defendant declined upon the ground that the books had been sent to the home office in Oregon, and, not being under his control, he could not comply. The truth of the reason given for noncompliance with rel&tor’s request is substantiated by the defendant’s affidavit. In view of these facts the peremptory writ of mandamus applied for cannot issue. Code, § 2070. The case relied on by the relator (People ex rel. Del Mar v. St. Louis, etc., R. Co., 44 Hun, 552) does not authorize a reference as to a disputed fact, but only where further information is required. The writ can only issue where the facts are undisputed, and it is within the power of the person to whom the writ would issue to perform the act. People ex rel. Stevens v. Hayt, 66 N. Y. 606; People v. R., W. & O. R. R. Co., 103 id. 95; People ex rel. McMackin v. Bd. of Police, 107 id. 235 ; People ex rel. Nicholl v. N. Y. I. Asylum, 122 id. 190; People ex rel. Field v. N. Pacific R. R. Co., 50 N. Y. Super. Ct. 457; Kennedy v. Chicago, etc., R. R. Co., 14 Abb. N. C. 326; People ex rel. Del Mar v. St. Louis, etc., R. Co., 19 id. 1; 20 id. 172; People ex rel. Del Mar v. St. Louis, etc., R. Co., 47 Hun, 543. Where, on the motion, opposing affidavits are read which conflict with the averments of the moving affidavits, notwithstanding which the -relator demands a peremptory writ, this is equivalent to a demurrer, and the questions as to the right to the writ must be determined upon the assumption that the averments of the opposing affidavits are true. People ex rel. P. C. Savings Bank v. Cromwell, 102 N. Y. 477; People ex rel. Town v. Bd. of Supervisors, 103 id. 541. In such case the court will take the facts, so far as disputed, as they appear in the opposing affidavits. People ex rel. German, etc., Co. v. Richards, 99 N. Y. 620. Where the facts are disputed only an alternative writ can issue (47 Hun, 543) and the issues raised thereon must be determined by a jury (Code, § 2083), unless a jury trial is waived or a reference is directed by consent. Id. The election of directors takes place June seventeenth, and an alternative writ would be of no service to the relator. He may take one if he desires. Motion for peremptory writ denied, without costs.

Motion denied, without costs.