Case ID: ny_107/html/0633-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Finch, J.,", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Cornelius S. Groot et al., Respondents, v. Frederick G. Agens, Appellant.
    (Argued October 6, 1887,
    decided October 25, 1887.)
    "Where one who ought to have been, but was not, joined as a party plaintiff in an action dies before the trial, and the plaintiffs named fully own and represent the cause of action, the fact of such death may be proved in reply to a plea in abatement, setting up the non-joinder.
   The following is the mem. of opinion herein:

“ The complaint in this action contained two counts, one for the purchase and sale of stocks and advance of moneys and for commissions and interest, such purchases and sales having been made at the request of defendant, whereby the latter had become indebted to the plaintiffs in the amount claimed; and the other for the same amount upon an account ■stated. The answer served pleaded the non-joinder of Hopper as a party plaintiff in abatement of the action, alleging that he was a partner and jointly interested with the plaintiffs in the demand sued upon, and was living at the commencement of the action. Upon the trial the counsel for the plaintiffs, for the purpose of defeating the plea in abatement, asked a witness if Hopper was dead, to which the defendant objected giving as a reason ‘ the matters arising subsequent to the commencement of this action and not in discharge of the indebtedness therein created, are not admissible, especially when as in this case a plea of abatement was interposed by reason of the fact that Mr. Hopper was living at the time when the answer was served.’ The objection was overruled and the defendant excepted and now claims that since the referee found as a fact that Hopper was not dead at the date of the commencement of the action, the plea in abatement could not be defeated by the evidence, objected to. The point is extremely technical and without any merit behind it, and it is not unreasonable to treat very strictly the form of the-, objection. It was unsound on its face for two reasons. The question did not ask for a matter ■ ‘ arising ’ subsequent to the commencement of the action, but for an existing fact irrespective of the question when it arose or occurred; and the plea, did not allege, as the objection assumes, that Hopper vas. living when the answer was served. There is no finding and no proof that Hopper was living at that date, and, unless he-was, the plea of non-joinder had no force when it was made. But if that had been true we see no good reason for hesitating to say that proof of Hopper’s death at the date of the trial was admissible and a complete answer to the plea in abatement. The object of that plea, when founded upon a defect of parties plaintiff, is to give a better writ and so protect the • defendant by a correct judgment. But if before the judgment is rendered one who ought to have.been joined is dead, and the named plaintiffs fully own and represent the cause of -action, there can be no better writ, and all force and effect is gone from the plea. The fact which has happened gives to the defendant the full benefit of his plea. He is exactly as . safe as if Hopper had lived, and the plaintiffs, by amendment, had joined him with them. If he had been joined originally and then died, a mere suggestion on the record without amendment or supplemental pleading would permit the action to proceed in the name of the survivors; and, on the other hand,, where they alone sue and the death of one who ought to have-been joined obviates the defect of non-joinder, we see no reason why it may not be proved and defeat the plea which has-become useless and without merit. No other question in the-case requires consideration.

Thomas Darlington for appellant.

“ The judgment should he affirmed.”

Finch, J.,

reads mem. for affirmance of judgment, with costs..

All concur.

Judgment affirmed.