Case ID: la-ann_34/html/1057-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Bermudez, C. J. Todd, J. Bermudez, C. J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

No. 1149.
    Amelia E. Galligar vs. Jacob U. Payne et al.
    A person cannob claim the benefit of tlie homestead laws, on the ground that she has brought up and is supporting in her house orphan children, who constitute her family and are dependent upon her for such support.
    Homestead laws are to be strictly construed.
    APPEAL from the Thirteenth District Court, Parish of St. Landry. Hudspeth, J.. .
    
      M. 1). Kavanagh and J. N. Ogden, for Plaintiff and Appellee.
    
      11. Ij. Garland, for Defendant- and Appellant.
   The opinion of the Court was delivered by

Bermudez, C. J.

This is an injunction suit to prevent the defendant from executing a judgment rendered on a conventional mortgage consented in 1870 and 1871. It. rests on the ground, that the land seized constitutes a homestead under the Act of 1865, E. S-; R. S. 1691.

Prom a judgment in favor of plaintiff, this appeal is taken.

It is unnecessary to pass upon all the defenses raised by the appellant. It suffices to iuquire aud determine whether the appellee has proved herself to be, in every respect, in the situation which the law contemplates, regarding the beneficiaries to the class of which she claims to belong, viz: whether she had “persons dependent on her for supporV

At the institution of this suit, the plaintiff had two daughters, one who had married several years previous, and another who married during.the pendency of this controversy. By the change in her condition since the suit-, the latter, like the former, has ceased to be dependent qn tbe plaintiff for support. Gessante ratione, cessat lex.

But it is claimed that the evidence shows the plaintiff had, besides, at that time, and still has two minor children, respectively aged eighteen and nine years, dependent upon her, whom she has raised from1 their infancy, the last of whom being still young and delicate.

It is not shown that those children have any sort of natural or legal claim for support against the plaintiff, as part of her family, within the intent and meaning of the law. 33 An. 320.

In its limited sense, the word family signifies the father, mother and children; in its ordinary acceptation, it means all the relatives who descend from a common root; in its most extensive scope, it comprehends all the individuals who live under the authority of another, including even servants. R. C. C. 3556, $ 12.

In the application of a Statute in derogation of common right, we cannot arrogate the authority to give of the word family, found in the law relied upon, such an enlarged definition as would malre it so far reaching, as to put in the power of any dishonest or unscrupulous debtor to avail himself, at his whim and caprice, of the protective provisions of a law of grace and benevolence. That law was intended solely for the relief of a few meritorious persons in necessitous circumstances, bound by nature, conscience or the law, to support persons incapable of earning a living, and necessarily, wholly dependent upon them for maintenance.

We think we are forbidden from straining the law, and that it is our duty to restrict its humane provisions to those persons only as are within its contemplation, and as are bound by some natural' or legal obligation to support others, uuable to provide for themselves, and who have, by their blood or the law, a claim against them for subsistence, which conscience or a court of justice would recognize and enforce.

Were we to give to the word family even its ordinary acceptation, that interpretation would not relieve the plaintiff. The children are not shown to be related to, or connected with, the plaintiff in any way. It appears, on the contrary, that they are strangers to the plaintiff and arc. the orphans of persons who died in her service, or that of some member of her family. •

Parties invoking the protection of the homestead laws, which are in derogation of common right and must be strictly construed, are required to prove that they come within both their spirit and letter. 21 An. 686; 28 An.'667, 594; 26 An. 610 ; 29 An. 64 ; 32 An. 805.

In such cases, it is essential that they should, among other facts, establish that the persons dependent on them are such as cannot and do not earn a living, and have a natural or legal claim for actual and necessary support. Husbaud, wife, ascendant, descendant, adopted child, donee, and possibly, destitute'and afflicted relatives, appear to us, as at present advised, to be the only persons who could come within the compass of the law. It. S. 1091; Act 52 1865, E. E.; E. C. C. 119, 229, 214, 1559, 3556, $ 12; 33 An. 320.

It is no doubt a laudable act of charity on the part of plaintiff to minister unto the wants and necessities of the children for whom she has assumed to provide ; but, however praiseworthy her conduct may be, the law, in its justice and wisdom, will not permit her to impose upon her honest creditors the burden of her bounty. She must be just before she can be generous.

It is, therefore, ordered and decreed, that the judgment appealed front be reversed, and it is now ordered, adjudged and decreed, that the injunction issued be dissolved, and that plaintiff’s demand be rejected, with costs in both Courts.

Mr. Justice Eenner recuses himself, on account of affinity.

Mr. Justice Todd dissents.

Note. — Mr. Justice Eenner having recused himself, and Mr. Justice Levy being absent, (on leave) and the remaining three members of the Court not concurring — Mr. Justice Todd dissenting — the Hon. John Clegg, Judge of the District Court for the Twenty-fifth Judicial District, was called upon by the Judges not recused, to sit in the place of the Judge recused, and to aid in the determination of the case, under the provisions of Article 85 of the Constitution; and he has done so, concurring with the Chief J ustice and Mr. J ustice Poché in the foregoing opinion and decree.

Dissenting Opinion.

Todd, J.

The exemption in this case is claimed under the Act of 1865. That Act exempts, quoting its language, one hundred and sixty acres of ground, and the buildings and improvements thereon, occupied as a residence, and bona fide owned by the debtor, having a family, mother or father, or person or persons dependent on him for support.”

The claimant in this case is a widow, the head of a family, consisting at the time of the institution of her suit, of three minor children, one of them her own daughter, and two orphan girls whom she had raised from infancy, and who, from that period of their existence, had been members of her household, and the youngest of whom was only nine years of age. Whether we view the plaintiff as the head of this dependent family, or view her as one having a person or persons dependent on her for support, I am convinced that she comes strictly within the scope and benevolent design of the law she invokes, and nqt only within the spirit of that law, but within the strictest letter of it. To my mind, it needs only a recurrence to the policy of the law and the wise and humane purposes of its enactment, to induce the conclusion that this case comes peculiarly within its principle and intent.

The policy of this law, I take it to be, was to afford the shelter of a home to every family struggling with the adversities óf life, a permanent home, because secured against the vicissitudes of fortune and the results of improvidence. And this idea of permanency and security was wisely designed to foster a desire to establish homes, and to elevate the family by encouraging the love of home, enhanced by the safeguards and protection that the law throws around it, and so well calculated to promote the affections and virtues that are naturally associated with home and family. The object of the law was thus broad and far-reaching, designed to affect the very structure of society and advance its highest and best interests. Considering this object, I think the law is entitled to a construction as liberal as its aims and purposes are broad and humane. It is a law, however, that may be so narrowly construed as to be rendered wholly inoperative to accomplish what I conceive to be its legitimate ends. It may be made the veriest'mockery.

■ The family blessed with a strong and vigorous protection in the father, and which is meritorious from the industry and working capacity of its members, may be told, you have no need to claim the protection of the law, you are self-supportiDg.

And the weak and the helpless, with no protection but the mother, may be told that they might work, or are capable of supporting themselves, and that members of the family, though orphans, and maybe of tender years, have no claim to member ship therein, but in the charity and humanity of the widowed head of that family, and that the exercise of such humanity and charity, in the support of orphan children, was not only an imjmdinient, but an absolute barrier to the benefits of the law.

From a careful 'study of the subject, and from any standpoint that I view the case, I think the plaintiff is entitled to the exemption claimed, and that the judgment of the lower court allowing it should be affirmed. I, therefore, dissent.

On Application por Rehearing.

Bermudez, C. J.

In this case, a rehearing having been applied for, and the petition therefor having been duly considered, and their Honors, the Chief Justice, and Mr.JusticePochéand the Hon. John Clegg, who previously concurred In the opinion and decree heretofore reude-red, seeing no reason to disturb the same, it is ordered, that said petition be refused, with 'costs.

Mr. Justice Todd dissents, thinking that a rehearing should be granted. '

' The Honorable John Clegg, Judge of the District Court for the 25th Judicial District, sat for the trial and determination of the application for a rehearing, and was present in Court when the opinion and decree refusing the same was announced, acting in the place of Mr. Justice Fenner, recused.

• -It is ordered that the sum of ten dollars be taxed among the costs herein, to be paid the Hon. John Clegg, for disbursements incurred by him as travelling expenses, to aid in the determination of the case on its merits, 'and on the application for a rehearing. - •