Case Name: Andrew J. Crofut et al. (Matthew T. Brennan, Sheriff, appellant) agt. John Brandt, respondent
Court: New York Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1874-06
Citations: 47 How. Pr. 263
Docket Number: 
Parties: Andrew J. Crofut et al. (Matthew T. Brennan, Sheriff, appellant) agt. John Brandt, respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: Howard's Practice Reports
Volume: 47
Pages: 263–272

Head Matter:
COURT OF APPEALS.
Andrew J. Crofut et al. (Matthew T. Brennan, Sheriff, appellant) agt. John Brandt, respondent.
June, 1874.
The sheriff is restricted to the fees given to his office by statute.
He is not entitled, on execution, to expenses paid to keepers, nor charges for cartage or storage, nor insurance, nor for any other expenses incurred by him not expressly allowed by statute.
Whether, if he incurs any expense for the benefit or convenience of either of the parties, and upon the promise to repay him, he can recover such expenses of that party, guwe.
This was an appeal from, an order of the general term of the court of common pleas for the city and county of Mew York, affirming an order of judge Robinson taxing the sheriff’s fees.
The plaintiffs recovered a judgment against the defendant in the marine court for $989.31; a transcript thereof was filed in the office of clerk of the city and county of Rew York; execution was issued out of the court of common pleas and the sheriff levied upon the defendant’s goods. Rósale took place, and the defendant, having paid the judgment-,, applied to have the sheriff’s bill taxed. The sheriff made the following charges:
The opinions of the general term of the court of common ipleas, on affirming the above taxation, are reported in 46 How-tar cPs Practice Reports•, 481.
.A. J. Yanderpoel. for appellant.
C. Bainbridge Smith, for respondent.

Opinion:
Folger, J.
This case has been so elaborately considered' in the three opinions delivered in the courts below, it is important enough to merit discussion here.
The appellant claims that his needful expenses in executing the process of the court, as its ministerial officer, should be reimbursed to him; .that is a principle as old as the relation of -master and servant. There is not a close analogy between the relation of a sheriff to the public and that of a servant to his master, still less that of an execution debtor. A master selects his own servant, and sets him about his work for his benefit at wages stipulated for between them. The public must take the officer whom the law has appointed for it, whether or not satisfied with him or with the amount of compensation the law has given to him. The execution debtor is subject unto him, and is proceeded against im, invitum.
And on broader ground, too, the analogy is not found. Lord Ellenborough, Ch. J., says (Graham agt. Grill, 2 M. & S., 249) that the right of a sheriff is positivi juris, not in the nature of a claim for work and labor, and that many onerous duties are cast upon a sheriff, for which the law has not provided distinctly any remuneration.
Indeed, at common law, the sheriff was bound to perform his duty gratuitously, and if he was entitled to charge anything at all he must show his title under some act of parliament (Dew, Esq., agt. Parsons, 1 Chit., 295 ; 18 E. C. L. R., 87.) And so Comyn says (his Digest, Viscount, f. 1), that where the law imposes a duty upon an officer he cannot claim a remuneration for fulfilling it, unless the law has expressly conferred such right. In Rex agt. Jetterel (Parker, 117), though a sheriff' was allowed his poundage on an " extent in aid," in favor of a receiver-general, his costs and charges were denied him. It is laid down in Lane agt. Sewell (1 Chitty Rep., 175), that where the service falls within the general duty of the sheriff, it is not necessary that he should have any remuneration. So in Slater agt. Haines (7 M. & W., 413), the sheriff was allowed his poundage and such fees as were prescribed by the table of fees, framed under certain statutes, and, although he was put to extra trouble and expense, he was refused more. To come to the particular items of the sheriff's bill of costs and charges in this case. It is held that he cannot demand the expense of keeping a man in possession. Thus, where the sheriff had received a ca. sa. against a defendant, and, on going'to his house to execute it, found him in bed, being bedridden there for three years, and not to be removed therefrom without danger to his life, so that the sheriff needs must keep a man ever at the house, the sheriff could not legally discharge himself by a return that he had relinquished the custody of the defendant because he could not be removed without danger to his life (Baker agt. Davenport, 8 D. & R., 606). Yet the expense of keeping the man in custody was growing near in amount to the sum of the execution. This was an extreme case; but the court refused to the sheriff more than to enlarge the time for the return of the writ (See also Bilke, Esq., agt. Hoslock, 3 Camp. M. P. C., 274). It was also held extortion in the sheriff to charge the costs of a second man in possession (Holliwell agt. Heyward, 10 W. R., 780, Exch); which phrase of "a second man in possession" is explained by Slater agt. Harris (supra) Gaskell agt. Sefton (12 M. & W., 801); and Searle agt. Blaise (18 C. B. N. S., 56), from which it appears that by statute certain of the judges may prescribe a table of fees; and that, so doing, they did allow a charge for one man in possession. But the right to this was held to be so entirely dependent thereupon, that, in Slater agt. Hames, though by the violent conduct of the defendant (as was claimed) it was needful to employ an extra number of men for several nights to keep safely the goods, yet no charge was allowed therefor, save that of one man (See also Davies agt. Edmonds, 12 M. & W., .31). bfor can the sheriff charge for the expense of labor in boxing the property levied upon (Slater agt. Haines, supra); nor, upon the same reason, for cartage of goods. So, the sheriff may not charge for the services of an auctioneer (Rex agt. Crakenthorpe, 2 Anstruthers, 412; Slater agt. Haines, supra); nor for preparation of a catalogue or other preparation for sale (Phillips agt. Canterbury, 11 M. & W., 619; Holliwill agt. Hayward, supra; see also Searle agt. Blaise, 14 C. B. N. S., 856); nor for expenses by reason of an adverse claim to the goods (Davies agt. Edmonds, 12 M. & W., 31; see also Searle agt. Blaise, supra); nor for an assistant (Cooper agt. Hill, 6 C. B. N. S., 703). Whether he may charge for the expenses of insurance is doubted in White agt. Madison (26 N. Y., 117-127). As it would seem to be the better opinion that if he used ordinary diligence in taking care of the goods, after coming into the possession of them, he would not be liable for losses by fire or other accident (Browning agt. Mandford, 5 Hill, 588; but see 5 Denio, 586, Jenson agt. Joliffe, 6 J. R., 9, and 9 J. B., 381), it would also seem that he would have no right to charge for premiums paid for insurance. But the extent of his .liability need not be passed upon here. He is no more, and just as much, liable for loss by fire as for loss by other accident. And if he may not charge for indemnity against loss by fire, and the same reason applies to the charge for storage, it is the duty of the sheriff, on receiving the writ, to proceed to levy it upon the goods of the defendant. When-the goods are taken, it is his duty to preserve them from loss from wrong-doers, or from the elements, or from accident. The extent of diligence he must use therein, as we have said above, is not passed upon here. But whatever degree he is required to use, and whatever expense he is put to therein, comes under the same principle, that he must look to his poundage and statutory fees for his full compensation. Says Pabke, B., in Slater agt. Haines (supra), " What is the sheriff to do for his poundage ? He is not to receive it for doing nothing. He is sufficiently paid by it for ordinary incidental expenses, and he must take the risk of that." Mor is the burden upon the sheriff so great as is claimed. His responsibility is measured by the amount of property in his hands by virtue of his levy. The amount of goods under his levy is ordinarily measured by the sum indorsed upon his writ. So that his poundage keeps pace (not equal pace, perhaps) with the increase of liability. He is not required ordinarily to keep the property in his hands but a few days, so that the expenses for storage, insurance, custody, are not of long duration, and are commensurate with the value of the effects which he has seized. And in the long run the result, in the contemplation of law, is, that the fees for which the law prescribes are adequate compensation for the risk and expense incurred. And there is nothing known to us which indicates that the result is different in fact. And if it were not so, the policy of the law is, that its executive officers should go among the people to lay hands upon, their property under every needful restriction against the temptation to eat out their substance by the increase, in magnitude or diversity, of the charges and expenses of official service.
Most of the cases above cited are from English books, but the current of decision in this State is not in other course (See Hatch agt. Mann, 15 Wend., 44, Court of Errors; lynch agt. Meyer, 3 Daly, 256; see also Downing agt. Marshall, 37 N. Y., 380-388; Benedict agt. Marriner, 14 How. Pr. R., 568; Mallory agt. Supervisors of Cortland, 2 Cow., 531).
There are certain cases upon which the appellant relies as holding otherwise. In Gallagher agt. Egam, (2 Sandf. S. C. R., 744), the court allowed a fee to be paid to the sheriff for serving notice of object of action, while expressly stating that the law provided no specific fee for this service ; and so did the court in Benedict agt. Warriner (supra), but it was allowed to the plaintiff as a disbursement for a necessary and legal service. It was not allowed as a sheriff's fee, per se, and as it was allowable to thé plaintiff as a payment for a service performed, it mattered not to whom he had paid it, whether to an unofficial servant, or to a servant who, though he was an officer, did not perform the service as an officer, but as a private person.
There are also cases where a service has been performed for the public by officers, for which no fee has been distinctly prescribed, and yet compensation has been allowed therefor by the court. Such are Bright agt. Supervisors of Chenango (18 J. R., 243), and People ex rel. Hilton agt. Supervisors of Albamy (12 Wend., 257). The first was the case of a county clerk who had advanced his money to procure books for the county clerk's office, in which to record deeds, &c., and to enter the common rules of the court of common pleas. It was held that he was entitled to be repaid. It was put upon the ground that the books became the permanent property, and were transmitted to his successors for the benefit of the county. In that view, he was as well entitled to be repaid as though he had made needful repairs to the public building occupied' by him as a public office. On the same ground an allowance was made in Doubleday agt. Supervisors of Broome (2 Cow., 533). He was also allowed for sending certain notices to judges and justices, a service required of him by law, for which no fee was prescribed. That also is put upon the ground of a benefit to the county. I am obliged to confess that this allowance is not so clear, and that in my judgment the conclusion is not in harmony with the decisions I have cited to sustain my views. And it is to be observed that Sutherland, J. (2 Cowen, supra), intimated a doubt as to its soundness. The other case was that of a judge of the county court, who attended in pursuance of law, upon the drawing of jurors by the county clerk. Ho specific fee was allowed therefor. The court held that he was entitled to compensation. It seems to have been put upon the ground that the services had no connection with his judicial duties as judge, for it is said that his place could have been supplied by two justices of the peace. If this be the ground, it has no applicability to the matter in hand. For the sheriff here can rest his claim upon no ground other than that the services and charges for which he claims were in the direct performance of his duty, and necessary to the proper performance thereof. I do not find that the case has ever been cited or relied upon in any other decision. In Wather agt. Sandys (2 Camp. M. P. C., 640), a distinction is not intimated between services rendered for the public and those for private persons, for which there is no compensation prescribed. Smith agt. Birdsall (9 J. R., 328) declares that, where the law is silent as to particular services, the court, if they allow anything, must allow what is reasonable. The opinion is per curiam, is very short, and neither enters into the points raised by counsel (if any were made, for the names of counsel are not given), nor does it state clearly the question raised by the defendant. It is not easy to get at just what was the question presented to the court.
It is said that a verdict was taken for the plaintiff, who was a sheriff, for the sum of his charges for arresting an ex-sheriff on attachment, for contempt of court in not returning an execution. The verdict was subject to the opinion of the court upon the legality of the charges demanded by the plaintiff. The principal of them was the mileage, at nineteen cents per mile, and the expenses of going to and returning from Albany, twelve days, thirty miles per day, at fifty cents. Now, if the opinion of the court was to be had upon the legality of the sheriff making any charges at all, then the decision bears upon the question in hand. If it was only upon the legality of the amount of the items, or of the amount of each or of any item, and the right of the plaintiff to some compensation, and the liability of the defendant to pay the same were conceded, then it does not touch the question in hand. There is some reason to infer, from the report of the case, that it was the latter. The court says that the charges' are reasonable and just, and no more than an indemnity. Not that they are legal in the sense that the plaintiff had the right' to charge. It then says that the defendant appears to have been in contempt, and liable to the costs and expenses of the attachment. It then - states that the habeas corpus act allows twelve and a half cents per mile for bringing up a person, and the charges also for taking him back, if remanded; seeming to compare that mileage and those charges with the items in the plaintiff's bill; and then it concludes: " Where the law is silent as to charges for particular services, the court, if they allow anything, must allow what is reasonable ; " and judgment is given for the plaintiff. The report is extremely meager. If the case does not bear this interpretation it must be considered as anomalous. I do not find it cited in any subsequent case save in Clapp agt. Van Epps (3 Wend., 430), which case does not throw much light upon it. In view of the repeated and definite decisions in England, and those in our own state, it cannot be relied upon as an intentional declaration of a different rule from that established by them. It is worthy of note that in Crocker on Sheriffs (second ed., p. 360, § 824, p. 478, § 1144) it is cited as an authority for a principle stated thus : " If no fee is prescribed by law for the particular service, and they (sheriffs, &c.) are not required to discharge the duty without compensation, then they are entitled to recover a reasonable compensation therefor." I am not aware, however, that the sheriff was not required to discharge the duty without reference to compensation.
I have not overlooked the citations made by the appellant from the Revised Statutes (2 R. S., p. 650, § 2; id., p. 652, § 1; id., p. 622; id., p. 653, § 5). I do not perceive that they affect the question.
It is suggested by the appellant that if a sheriff should seize beasts he would be obliged to provide them with food and shelter and care, and that he ought not to pay the expense thereof. There is a dictum in Sly agt. Finch (Cro. Jac., 514) that if he take cattle and return that he has taken, and after-wards the cattle die for want of meat, he is answerable for the value returned; and in Gaskell agt. Sefton (14 M. & W., 802) it seems to be conceded that under the English statute law, as it then was, the expense would be allowed him of keeping the cattle. But that question is not now here, and we intimate no opinion upon it.
The appellant claims that the sheriff's poundage should have been estimated according to the fees allowed by law upon executions from the marine court. The judgment was obtained in the marine court; a transcript of it was filed in the county clerk's office. Then the judgment is to be deemed a judgment of the court of common pleas, and is to be enforced in the same manner (Ginochio agt. Fizari, 4 E. D. Smith, 227); that is, by an execution out of that court to the sheriff of the county. The sheriff is restricted to the fees given to his office by statute.
The court does not pass upon the question whether, if by the request and upon the promise to repay of either of the parties'to the execution, and for his benefit or convenience, the sheriff shall incur expenses, he may not recover them of that party; as to which, see Caff agt. Johnson (7 J. B. Moore, 518; 6 id., 338). The .case does not directly present that question. The affiant, Thorpe, comes short in his affidavit of fixing upon the defendant or his attorney, or any one shown to have authority to speak for either of them, such a request. It may be that the sheriff may be able to make proof of request and promise to him.
The order appealed from must be affirmed, with costs, but without prejudice to another presentment of the sheriff's bill for taxation on further affidavits, if he shall be so advised.
All concurred, except Andkews, J., not voting.