Case ID: mass_63/html/0068-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Shaw, C. J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Edward G. Loring, Judge of Probate vs. Henry Alline.
    The 26th section of Eev. Sts. c. 79, which limits actions on guardian’s bonds applies as well to a bond given on obtaining a license to sell real estate, as to the general guardianship bond; and by the term “discharged,” in that section, is intended any mode by which the guardianship is effectually determined and brought to a close.
    An action against the surety on a guardian’s bond, which is commenced more than four years after the passing of the Rev. Sts., is barred by c. 79, § 26, although the bond was given and the guardianship discharged, before the statute went into operation. The statute relates to the remedy only, and is not retrospective.
    This was an action of debt on a bond given by the defendant, as surety of John Delay, on Delay’s obtaining a license to sell the real estate of certain minors, of - whom he was guardian. The writ was dated October 15, 1849, and the case was tried in this court before Metcalf, J., by whom it was reported for the consideration of the whole court.
    The bond was dated May 20, 1833 ; and it was agreed by the parties that Delay died in 1835, and proved, at the trial, that the minors named in the bond were under age at the time of his decease.
    The defendant maintained that the action was barred by the statute of limitation, Rev. Sts. c. 79, § 26, but this objection was overruled.
    It was thereupon agreed that, if the plaintiff could maintain his action, the defendant should be defaulted, and a hearing should be had in chancery to adjust the respective accounts of the actual parties to the suit; otherwise, the plaintiff should become nonsuit.
    
      L. Gale, for the plaintiff,
    contended that there was no discharge of the guardian; and that Rev. Sts. c. 79, § 26, could not relate back to this bond, it having been executed before the statute was enacted.
    
      P. Oliver, for the defendant.
    The action cannot be maintained because it has not been brought within the time limited by law for such actions. Rev. Sts. c. 79, § 26 ; Rev. Sts. c. 2, § 6 ; Opinion of the Justices, 7 Mass. 523; Ellis v. Paige, 1 Pick. 43 ; Opinion of the Justices, 22 Pick. 571; Rev. Sts. c. 70, § 32, and c. 79, § 25; Worcester’s Dictionary, word any. This provision of the Rev. Sts., though operating upon past causes of action, does not impair the obligation of the contract. Brigham v. Bige-low, 12 Met. 268: Wright v. Oakley, 5 Met. 400 : St. 1835, c. 11 and c. 133.
    
      The bonds referred to in Rev. Sts. c. 79, § 26, are all kinds of bonds given by guardians. St. 1783, c. 38, \\ 4 and 5; St. 1835, c. 11 and c. 133.
   Shaw, C. J.

The defence relied on, by a surety on a guardianship bond to the judge of probate, is, that it is barred by the statute of limitation. The provision in Rev. Sts. c. 79, § 26, is, “ that no action shall be maintained against the sureties in any bond given by a guardian, unless it be commenced within four years from the time within which this chapter shall take effect, or within four years from the time when the guardian shall be discharged;” with a proviso not material. The court are of opinion, that by the term “ discharged,” in this statute, is intended any mode by which the guardianship is effectually determined and brought to a close, either by the removal, resignation, or death of the guardian, the marriage of a female guardian, the arrival of a minor ward to the age of twenty-one, or otherwise. The statute, therefore, is a bar to this action, in which it appears that the guardian had died before the revised statutes were passed. Whether the statute would have been a bar, if the action had been brought after the expiration of four years from the death, of the guardian, and within four years from the 1st May, 1836, when the Rev. Sts. went into operation, it is not necessary to give an opinion, because, in fact, the action was not commenced until 1849, thirteen years after the Rev. Sts. went into operation. And we are also of opinion, that this limitation applies as well to bonds given by guardians on obtaining a license to sell real estate, as the general guardianship bond. There is nothing in the terms to limit its operation to one species of bonds; the words are “ any bond; ” and there is nothing in the nature of a bond, given on a license to sell real estate, which may render it, in principle, an exception.

Nor do we think there is any force in the objection, that this bond had been given, and the guardianship discharged by the death of the guardian, before this statute went into operation. It is argued that to make this statute apply to such a bond would be to give it a retrospective operation. But this, we think, is a mistaken view. The statute is entirely pro-Bpective, and relates to the remedy only. The words are, “no action shall be maintained” — it is prospective in every sense — “ unless commenced within four years from the time when this chapter shall take effect, or within four years from the time when the guardian shall be discharged.” It is, therefore, not obnoxious to the charge that it is retrospective. Indeed, we think it the common practice, and open to no objection, in passing a statute of limitation, to make it apply as well to causes of action which have already accrued, as to those which may afterwards accrue, if sufficient time be allowed, between the passing of the act and the time fixed for the limitation, to afford a full and ample time to all persons, having such causes of action, to commence their suits.

Plaintiff nonsuit.