Case ID: serg-rawl_4/html/0549-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Tilghman C. J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Park against Graham, Trustee of Kennedy an Insolvent Debtor.
    In Error.
    
      Monday, December 28.
    FROM the bill of exceptions which was returned with ,. _ - . _ ~ c . . the record or this case from the District • Court tor the city and county of Philadelphia, it appeared, that William Graham, the plaintiff below, and a certain Henry Rems on, were appointed by the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia county, trustees of the estate of James Kennedy, an insolvent debtor, who petitioned for a discharge under the act of 26th March, 1814. In consequence of this appointment, Kennedy veyed all his estate to the said trustees, by deed dated the , _ _ , r 1 • 16th October, 1815. Before the commencement or this suit, Graham, gave bond, according to the directions of the 3d section of the act of assembly, for the faithful execution of ' his trust; but no such bond was given by Remson the other trustee.
    
      if the Court appoint more than one trus*e the act of the 1814; 0¿y the 3d section, t‘es of his, trust, and consequentiy, an cannot be maintained.
    
      On the trial of the cause, the defendant contended before the District Court, that upon this evidence, the plaintiff could not support his action; and prayed the Court to direct the jury accordingly. But the Court were of opinion that the action was maintainable, to which the counsel for the defendant excepted.
    P. A. Browne and Rawle, for the plaintiff in error.
    
      Shoemaker, contra.
   The opinion of the Court was delivered by-

Tilghman C. J.

The act of 26th March, 1814, under which the insolvent debtor James Kennedy, was discharged, directs the Court to appoint such trustee or trustees of the debtor, as two-thirds in number and value of his creditors then attending, either in person, or by attorney, shall nominate ; or if the said creditors should not attend, or not nominate any trustee, the Court shall appoint such trustee or trustees as they may think proper.”—By the 3d section of the act, it is provided, that every trustee, before he acts as such, shall give bond for the faithful execution of his trust, and in case of the refusal, or delay of any trustee or trustees to act, or in case of his or their death, the Court may appoint another or others, in his or their room,” &c. - And by the 4th sect., <•( the trustee or trustee, shall be deemed vested with all the estate of such debtor, at the time of his or their appointment,” &c. Whether it was necessary for Kennedy to execute an assignment to his trustees, we dp not decide; because, even if the estate became vested in the trustees by the appointment Of the Court, it would be impossible for one trustee to support an action, when no authority was given to him but in conjunction with another. If the creditor neglect to nominate, the power of appointment devolves on the Court, who, if they think proper, may appoint but one trustee; but having appointed two, one has no power to act. As the present case was circumstanced, then,' Remson having delayed to qualify himself for acting, by giving security, and consequently having no power to act, the Court might have appointed another person in his place. As soon as the person so appointed had given security, as required by law,, he, together, with the plaintiff, might have supported an action. But when this suit was brought, there was no person in existence, who had a right of acting, because there was none to whorn the sole power of collecting the debts of Kennedy, had beén entrusted. ,

There was another bill of exceptions taken by the counsel for the defendant, on which we give no opinion, because none is required of us. If it were asked by the counsel on either side, we would give it. It is the opinion of the Court, that the first exception was well taken, and therefore, the judgment should be reversed.

Judgment reversed.