Case Name: CHASE v. LORD
Court: New York Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1879-04
Citations: 6 Abb. N. Cas. 258
Docket Number: 
Parties: CHASE v. LORD.
Judges: 
Reporter: Abbott's New Cases
Volume: 6
Pages: 258–293

Head Matter:
CHASE v. LORD.
N. Y. Court of Appeals,
April, 1879.
[Reversing 16 Hun, 369.]
Corporation.—Personal Liability of Corporators and Stockholders for Impaired Capital.—Presumption of Com> pliance with Law.—Marine Insurance.—Certificate of Incorporation.—Construction of Statute.—Life and Health Insurance Companies.
The cause of action against a stockholder under a charter or other statute rendering stockholders, &c., liable to make up impaired capital, survives against his personal representatives.
In an action to charge a stockholder with a purely statutory personal liability for debts of the corporation, the legal presumption is that all statutory conditions have been complied with ; and the burden is on the plaintiff to show a non-compliance with the statute.
Under the General Marine Insurance Companies’ Act (B. 1849, c. 308, p. 448, § 19), the personal liability results if the certificate is not filed, notwithstanding the requisite capital has been paid in.
The certificate'required by section 19 is that prescribed by section 11,, to be made by the comptroller or three examiners, stating that an amount equal at least to the amount specified in section 5, if. it be a stock company, has been paid in, &c., or if it be a mutual company, that it has the premiums, &c., to the extent required by section 6, or if a life and health company, to the amount, <&c., required by section 6.
To create any individual liability of members for the debt of a corporation, a body politic, created by law and regarded as a legal being, distinct from that of all the members composing it, and capable of contracting and being contracted with as a person, is a wide departure from established rules of law, founded in considerations of public policy, and depending solely upon provisions of, positive law. It is, therefore, to be construed strictly, and not extended beyond the limits to which it is plainly carried by provisions of the statute.
The certificate need not state the payment of the whole amount fixed by the charter, but only that fixed by section 5 or 6.
The statute contemplates only one certificate.
The application of the rule that in the construction of statutes, other acts in pa/ri materia, and other acts of the same legislature, though not strictly inpan'i materia, may be referred to for the purpose of ascertaining the legislative intent,—considered.
The construction of the general Life and Health Insurance Companies’ Act (L. 1853, c. 453), in respect to the personal liability of stockholders,—considered.
When corporate existence has been secured, personal liability of members or corporators cannot exist except by the clear direction of the legislature.
Appeal from a judgment of the general term of the supreme court of the first department, affirming a judgment entered on verdict rendered by direction of the judge at circuit.
The action was brought by George B. Chase against Thomas Lord and David N. Lord, as executors of Bufus L. Lord, to recover $34,623.88, a balance due on a policy of insurance upon the vessel “Eagle Wing” and her cargo, made by the Columbian Insurance Company, of which said Bufus L. Lord was a stockholder.
The complaint set forth, among other things, that at the organization of the said company the capital fixed by the charter was $500,000, which amount was afterwards increased by amendment to $3,500,000.
The plaintiff claimed to recover, on the ground that no certificate was filed of the payment of any capital except the sum of $150,000, required by the law as a condition of incorporation.
The action was founded on section 19 of L. 1849, the material part of which is as follows : “ The trustees and corporators of any company organized under this act, and those entitled ,to participation of the profits, shall be jointly and severally liable until the whole amount of the capital raised by the company shall have been paid in, and a certificate thereof recorded, as hereinbefore provided.” This, it was claimed on behalf of the plaintiff, imposed a liability on the stockholders after incorporation, until certificate of payment of the entire amount of capital mentioned in the charter.
The defendants insisted, on the contrary, that the certificate referred to, is that required by the act as a condition of granting the franchise; that the amount to which it refers is only such portion of the nominal capital as was raised for that purpose, and that the liability does not apply to stockholders, but only to parties actually engaged or otherwise interested in getting up the company, for liabilities incurred prior to incorporation, and terminates with the acquisition of the corporate franchise.
At the trial, the judge directed a verdict for the plaintiffs, and the defendants appealed.
The supreme court, at general term, affirmed the judgment below, being of opinion that the statute should be construed upon the view that the policy of the law required that the company should become possessed of all the capital announced by its charter (Reported in 16 Hun, 369).
From this judgment the plaintiff again appealed to this court. The other material facts sufficiently appear in the following opinions.
J>. D. Lord, for defendants, appellants.
W. C. Whitney, for plaintiff, respondent.
The significance of this decision is in the fact that it marks the advance, indicated less distinctly in previous cases, toward the rule that the individual liability of shareholders depends on a case being clearly made out within the statute. In the ease of trustees and directors, the statute creates the individual liability. In the case of stockholders, the original theory of the law was that the liability, if any, was the consequence of their joint undertaking or interest, in a matter in which the statute of incorporation failed to shield them ;-^not the creature of the statute, but that of their contract (Muir v. Glasgow Bank, 40 Law Times N. S. 339); or of the partnership relation in which, so far as not protected by the statute, the law regarded them as standing (Corning v. McCullough, 1 N. Y. 47; Moss v. Oakley, 2 Hill, 263; Gamwell v. Pomeroy, 121 Mass. 207; Norris v. Wrenschall, 34 Md. 492; contra, Reid v. Eatonton Mfg. Co., 40 Geo. 98; compare Bacon v. Pomeroy, 104 Mass. 577); and in this it was strongly contrasted with the liability of directors or trustees, created by statute for default in performance of official duty,—such, for instance, as failing to file annual report,—which it is well settled is in the nature of a forfeiture or penalty. Bird v. Hayden, 2 Abb. Pr. N. S. 61; S. C., 1 Robt. 383, and cases cited; First Nat. Bank v. Price, 33 Md. 487.
The liability of stockholders is so commonly expressly defined by statute, and is so exceptional, that in later cases it is frequently spoken of as created by the statute. See, for instance, Dean v. Whiton, 16 Hun, 204.
The usual liabilities of the first class are those of non-dissenting directors and trustees of corporations in general (except religious corporations, and except certain money corporations specially regulated), for all debts, whenever the debts exceed three times the amount of capital paid in (2 L. 1872, p. 2010, c. 883; amd’g 1 R. S. 602, § 3); those of directors in manufacturing, mining, and other similar companies, for failure to file annual report (L. 1848, p. 57, c. 40, § 12; 4 Abb. N. Y. Dig. 300); and those of directors of moneyed corporations for contravention, to the injury of creditors, &c., of numerous statutory regulations of the business of such corporations (1 R. S. 591, § 10; 2 R. S. 6 ed. 298).
The usual liabilities of stockholders are those for all debts, until the capital is paid in (a class of cases of which the case in the text is an instance), and those of liability to servants and employees for wages, &c., the limits of liability being differently defined in case of manufacturing, mining, and other industrial corporations (L. 1848, c. 40, § 18; 4 Abb. N. Y. Dig. 2 ed. 299), and in case of railroad companies. L. 1850, p. 211, c. 140, §§ 10-12; 5 Abb. N. Y. Dig. 2 ed. 327, &c.
Other grounds of liability are prescribed by various statutes.
The distinction between the nature of the liability in these two classes of cases is of constant importance. That of officer, being penal, is strictly construed (Whitney Arms Co. v. Barlow, 68 N. Y. 34; Craw v. Easterly, 4 Lans. 513); cannot be enforced by action in a state other than that whose statute created it (Bird v. Hayden [above]; First Nat. Bk. v. Price, 33 Md. 487); is barred by a short limitation (Code Civ. Pro. § 394); is not a foundation for a claim against co-trustees for contribution (Andrews v. Murray,, 33 Barb. 354; and see Easterly v. Barber, 65 N. Y. 252; contra, Nickerson v. Wheeler, 118 Mass. 295); and non-joinder of a co-trustee is not a defense (Nimmons v. Tappan, 2 Sweeny, 652), unless the statute makes the trustees jointly liable only. And a judgment against the corporation is not competent evidence against the trustees. Miller v. White, 50 N. Y. 137; compare Tyng v. Clarke, 9 Hun, 269.
On the other hand, an action may be maintained on the stockholder’s liability in a state other than that in which the corporation was formed (See Griffith v. Mangam, 42 Super. Ct. [J. & S.] 369); the liability is barred by the ordinary limitation of six years (Phillips v. Therasson, 11 Hun, 141); and it is a foundation for a claim to contribution. Aspinwall v. Sacchi, 57 N. Y. 331; Cary v. Holmes, 16 Gray, 127. And judgment against the corporation is evidence against the stockholder, sued on his individual liability (Hill v. Spencer, 34 Super. Ct. [J. & S.] 304).
The two grounds of liability cannot be enforced in one action against the same person. Wiles v. Suydam, 64 N. Y. 173; rev’g 6 Supm. Ct. T. & C.) 292.
Where a subsequent act provides a new definition of the grounds of liability different from that provided by an earlier act, the earlier is to be deemed repealed as to new transactions, unless a different intent appears. Rochester v. Barnes, 26 Barb. 657. Compare Excelsior Petrol. Co. v. Lacey, 63 N. Y. 422.
The decision in the text establishes the principle that the rule of strict construction applies in determining whether the case comes within the statute; and this conclusion is doubtless in consonance with justice and with the general spirit ,of rec nt authorities. Individual immunity is favored within reasonable limits of interpretation. For a full collection of the cases, see Thompson on Liab. of Stockh.

Opinion:
DANFORTH, J.
In October, 1856, the Columbian Insurance Company was organized under the act of 1849, chapter 308, providing for the incorporation of insurance companies. On February 1, 1865, the plaintiff procured a policy of insurance from that company upon the ship " Eagle Wing," which was soon after lost, and thereby, as is conceded, a claim arose in his favor against the company. In January, 1866,. the company was dissolved, and its affairs placed in the hands of a receiver, by whom the plaintiff was paid a portion of his claim. The defendants' testator was a stockholder in the company during all the times above stated, and he dying, this action is brought against the defendants, as his executors, the plaintiff claiming that the testator became personally liable to pay the loss, by reason of non-compliance by the company with the conditions of the act.
It is contended by the appellant—first, that the testator was never liable ; and second, if he was liable, the canse of action did not survive against his estate. With the second proposition we have no difficulty. The defendants took the stock, subject to any liability which existed on account of it (Bailey v. Hollister, 26 N. Y. 112-116); and if the testator was liable to pay the plaintiff's demand, the defendants, as his representatives, are equally so. The plaintiff contends that the liability in question was incurred by the testator, because the provisions of section 19 of the statute above named were not complied with. [The learned judge here quoted the section, see p. 261 above.] The question is not free from difficulty; and this difficulty arises from the vague manner in which the legislature has sought to express its meaning. The statute has been before the courts in several cases (Mygatt v. New York Protection Insurance Co., 21 N. Y. 61; White v. Haight, 16 Id. 317; People ex rel. Barton v. Rens. Insurance Co., 38 Barb. 323; Cooper v. Staver, 41 Id. 151; Thomas v. Achilles, 16 Id. 491) ; and in Hart v. Achilles, 28 Id. 582, Judge Harvest speaks of it as "extremely obscure, faulty and imperfect," and in Thomas v. Achilles (16 Barb. 495), as "ambiguous and imperfect," but the present, so far as we can discover, is the first case in which a judicial decision has been sought, as to the construction of the section above cited, and we are therefore unaided by any authority.
In the first place, it is clear that there was no common law liability on the part of the testator, and the legal presumption is, that all statutory conditions have been complied with. This presumption continues until the contrary is shown. No duty rested upon the stockholder to do this, and it is incumbent on the plaintiff to establish a non-compliance with the provisions of the statute, before he can charge the defendant (Bruce v. Driggs, 25 How. Pr. 71).
At this point it is not necessary to consider whether the requisite amount of capital was paid in, because, if it had been, and the proper certificate was not recorded, the liability would attach (Aspinwall v. Sacchi, 57 N. Y. 335). We should naturally expect to find in the .section itself, words to satisfy the reference to the certificate, for we are referred to some antecedent provision by the words "as hereinbefore provided." There is, however, nothing in the section itself to give information as to the character, form or contents of the certificate, or to indicate by whom it shall be made. We must look elsewhere in the statute for the antecedent. By the 7th section, provision is made for certificates to be furnished by the comptroller, un: der certain circumstances, to companies organized in other States or in foreign countries. Section 8 prohibits a company organized under the act from holding real estate beyond a certain period, "unless it shall procure a certificate from the comptroller," as therein provided. Neither of the certificates required by these sections can in any manner affect the question before us; those of the 7th section do not relate to domestic corporations, and that of the 8th section relates to a matter having no connection with the case in hand.
By the 3d section, the associates (who are also styled corporators) who have undertaken to form a company under the act, are required to file, in the office of the secretary of state, a declaration signed by them, which, among other things, shall comprise a copy of the charter proposed to be adopted by them ; and by section 10 it is made their duty to declare in this charter the mode and manner in which the corporate powers given by the act are to be exercised, " together with the amount of capital to be employed in the transaction of its business and by section 11 it is made the duty of the attorney-general to examine this charter, and if it is found to be in accordance with the act, and not inconsistent with the constitution or laws of the State, to certify the same to the comptroller, and the comptroller shall thereupon cause an examination to be made, either by himself or by three disinterested persons appointed by him for that purpose, who shall certify under oath, that an amount equal to, at least, the amount specified in the 5th section of the act, if it be a stock company, has been paid in and is possessed by it in money or certain stocks, &c. ; or if a mutual company, that it has received and is in the actual possession of the capital premiums or engagements of insurance, as the case may be, to the full extent required by the 5th section of the act; or if it be a life and health insurance company, to the full amount, and invested in the same manner as required by the 6th section of the act. Copies of these certificates are to be filed in the office of the secretary of state, and it is made his duty to furnish the corporation with the certified copy of the charter and certificates, which, upon being filed by them in the office of the clerk of the county in which their company is to be located, shall be their authority to commence business and issue policies. There are no other provisions for a certificate of any kind, and it seems to us that the certificate referred to in section 19 is that which we find in section 11, and which is above set forth.
First, it is antecedent to the provision of the 19th section; Second, it is the only one of all contained in the act which bears a sensible relation to its demand ; Third, it enables us to give the act a reasonable and not strained construction. This we are bound to do ; for so far as it subjects the stockholder to any responsibility for the corporate debts, it is manifestly in derogation of the common law (1 Pars, on Cont. 143 ; Stedman v. Eveleth, 6 Metc. 114); and we are not at liberty to extend its effect beyond its literal terms, by enlarging or aggravating the liability of the stockholder. Says Chief Justice Shaw, in Gray v. Coffin (9 Cush. 199), in considering a claim not unlike that before us : "To create any individual liability of members for the debt of a corporation, a body politic, created by law, and regarded as a legal being, distinct from that of all the members composing it, and capable of contracting and being contracted with as a person, is a wide departure from established rules of law, founded in considerations of public policy, and depending solely upon provisions of positive law. It is, therefore, to be construed strictly and not extended beyond the limits to which it is plainly carried by such provisions of statute." So construed, the act is coherent.
Section 1 permits a certain number of persons to associate and form an incorporated company, either, first, to take marine risks ; or secondly, for fire insurance ; or thirdly, on health or life. Such persons are styled corporators. Section 3 requires them to file the declaration and charter in the office of the secretary of state. By section 4 they may then take subscriptions to the stock, or, in case of mutual insurance receive propositions, for insurance as stated in section 5.
Section 5 then provides that no joint stock company shall be organized in the city of New York with a capital less than $150,000 ; or, in case of mutual insurance, until agreements have been entered into for insurance with at least one hundred applicants, the premiums on which, if it be marine, shall amount to $300,000, or if fire insurance, to $200,000, and notes have been received in advance for the premiums on such risks. By section 6 no life or health insurance company shall commence business until a cash capital of $100,000 shall have been paid in and actually invested, as required by the act, and section 7 declares in language applicable to all these branches of insurance, " It shall not be lawful for any company organized under this act to transact business, unless possessed of capital or securities as hereinbefore mentioned."
The object of section 5 has already been declared by this court. In Mygatt v. N. Y. Protection Ins. Co. (21 N. Y. 59), it is said by the court, Selden, J., " The main reliance of all insurance companies for the payment of losses, after becoming once fairly established, is upon the sums received for premiums. But losses may occur before their accumulations from this source are sufficient to meet them. For this reason it was deemed wise and prudent on the part of the legislature to provide that every insurance company, whether joint stock or mutual, should have at the outset a fund sufficient to meet its early losses.....Sections 4 and 5 relate to this preliminary fund, and to nothing else." See also People ex rel. Barton v. Rens. Ins. Co., and Thomas v. Achilles, supra. Then follow sections 10 and 11 to which we have before adverted, requiring an examination by the comptroller, and his certificate, or the certificate under oath of three appraisers appointed by him, as to the actual payment of capital equal at least to the amount specified in the 5th section, or the receipt by the company of premiums or engagements of insurance to the full extent required by the 5th section of the act, or if a life or health company, to the full amount required by the 6th .section of the act. Section 19 then declares the trustees, corporators, and those entitled to a participation of the profits, jointly and severally liable, "until the whole amount of the capital raised by the company shall have been paid in, and a certificate thereof recorded, as hereinbefore provided." If this section has any meaning, is it not that which we have given to it ? So considered, it takes its place naturally in the scheme of organization. There is required, first, an association of at least thirteen persons; second, a charter prepared and filed in the office of. the secretary of state ; third, books for stock subscriptions, or, if a mutual company, then proposals for insurance ; fourth, a declaration of the amount of capital requisite in each kind of insurance ; fifth, an examination by the comptroller or his appraisers as to the fact of payment of the capital specified in sections 5 and 6, and his or their certificate ; and sixth, a declaration of individual liability, until the capital so specified is paid in, and certificate recorded.
This surely is the literal and obvious reading of the statute ; and if correct, it does not entitle the plaintiff to recover, for it is conceded that the capital required by section 5 was paid in, and the certificate required by section 11 was duly recorded.
Again, it is a significant fact, and one that supports the view so far taken of the purpose and object of the certificate required; that " corporators " are included in the liability prescribed, or attempted to be, by section 19. The corporators are. the associates (§§ 1, 3), who are the getters-up of the company, and whose functions cease with its organization ; and its organization is complete when the certificate called for by section 11 is given. It is reasonable to hold the corporators until then, and until in truth and in fact the capital prescribed in section 5, and without which it is not lawful for the company to do business (§ 7), is paid in ; but it would be unreasonable and absurd to hold them liable after their functions ceased, and after they ceased to have any control or interest in the company. In the same manner and to the same effect, is to be noticed the omission from section 19, of the stock holder. Corporators exist before stockholders, and do not exist with them. When stockholders come in, corporators cease to be. Corporators are made liable if they launch the company without complying with the law. Trustees are liable, because business cannot be done except by them ; and the statute declares that it shall not be lawful for any company organized under the act to transact business, unless possessed of capital " as hereinbefore (i. e., in sections 5 and 6) mentioned," and they should be liable if they offend. "Those entitled to a participation of the profits," are liable. This does not include stockholders, but refers to those persons who are specifically mentioned in section 21 as entitled to a participation in the profits. They are not members of a stock company, but are members of a mutual company, and hold a peculiar relation to the company, unlike stockholders. In regard to them this court says, in Mygatt v. N. Y. Protection Ins. Co. (supra), contributors under section 21 ' are to all intents and purposes partners in the company. . . The whole section exhibits an intent that those who contribute the additional capital should be associates in the company, and any other supposition is inconsistent with its language and structure." If stockholders were intended to be included, why are they not named as such in the section? They are referred to in section 13, where the officers of the company are required, among other things, to give in their annual statement " a list of the stockholders of a stock company," and they are required, in certain, cases, to make up deficiencies, or in case of failure, to return their certificates (§ 14), when the consent of stockholders is required (§ 16). Stockholders in certain cases may sue and be sued, and by section 20 they are made liable as stockholders to the extent of any dividend made contrary to the provision of the act. It is a matter of significance that they should be dropped from section 19, and a new class designated. The last clause of section 19 also favors the construction. It says, " Notes taken in advance of premiums under this act are not to be considered debts of the company in determining whether a company is insolvent." This has reference to the preliminary fund called for by section 5, and there declared " part of the capital stock."
The money required to be paid in and the notes to be contributed, as prescribed by section 5, may be considered as capital "raised " or procured, as contra-distinguishing from " the full amount specified in the charters" (§ 4), or "its capital" (§ 8), or "the amount of capital to be employed in its business " (§ 10), or the " capital .of such company" (§13), or the " amount of capital fixed by the charter of the company" (§ 13). All these expressions appear in the act, and either one of them repeated in section 19, would have rendered so much of its meaning clear. Neither is there used; on the contrary, the word used is plainly a word of qualification or diminution, showing that something less than the whole is intended. It does not say "until the whole amount of the capital of the company," but until the whole amount of the capital " raised " by the company.
This seems to indicate that there is still a portion of capital not within the term; the word "raised" must be deemed to qualify and restrain the word " capital." It is not easy to give the words a definite meaning, but it is obviously something different from the entire capital, so it is different from the amount of "capital to be employed in its business," or the amount of " capital fixed," and indicates a smaller sum. If we imply the words "specified to be" or "required to be," and insert them, we have a coherent statute. It would then read: "until the whole amount of the capital 'specified,' or 'required' to be raised shall have been paid in, and a certificate thereof recorded, as hereinbefore provided." Now observe, the certificate named in section 11 is that "an amount equal at least to the amount specified in section 5, if a stock company, has been paid in, or, if a mutual company, that it has received premiums, "to the full amount required by section 5," and then, turning to section 5, we find for stock companies a minimum capital stated, and a declaration that the notes referred to in the case of a mutual company, shall be considered "a part of the capital stock." This satisfies the requisition of section 11, and, as we have above held, the certificate of section 11 is the one referred to in section 19.
In the case of People v. Hens. Ins. Co., supra, Hogeboom, J., in a case then before the general term of the supreme court, referring to section 5, says the notes spoken of in it constitute the capital stock, or part of it (see also Thomas v. Achilles, and Mygatt v. Protection Ins. Co., supra).
It is contended, however, by the respondent's counsel, that the judgment should be sustained upon either one of two views which represents, with reference to the certificate—the first, that the certificate required by section 11 should contain a statement that the whole amount, fixed or stated in the charter as the capital of the company, had been paid in; and this seems to have been the view of the learned judge who delivered the opinion of the supreme court, but we see no foundation. for such position. Section 10 provides for a statement in the charter of the amount of capital to be employed in the transaction of the business of the company. This charter is then, by section 11, to be placed before the comptroller, and an examination is required by him or his appointees, and a certificate "that an amount equal, at least, to the amount specified in section 5," in one case, or, in another, that it has received " engagements of insurance . to the full extent required by section 5," or, in another, "to the full amount required by section 6," with no reference at all to " the statement in the charter as to the amount of capital to be employed in the trans .ction of business." The provisions of all three sections, the 5th, 6th, and 10th, were then in the minds of the legislature, when section 19 was framed, and if it was intended that the examination or certificate should relate at all to the amount of capital fixed by the charter, it would have been so expressed. It was not; but on the contrary the language is, in this respect at least, neither obscure nor ambiguous, but plain and explicit. It refers in-words to the 5th section, and not to the 10th, and to the provision for capital in section 5, and not to the statement of the amount in the charter. We think section 11 does not require any examination, further than to see that at least the sum named in section 5 has been paid in, or any other certificate than one to that effect.
The other view presented by the respondent is, that the words "as hereinbefore provided," contained in section 9, should be so amended as to read " in the manner hereinbefore provided." This, doubtless, would create a difference in the reading, and permit a very different 'construction. But what authority have we for such an interpolation ? So much of the section is plain and unambiguous, "a certificate thereof re-' corded as hereinbefore provided, ' '. importing one certificate of which mention has been before made. "A certificate thereof recorded in the manner hereinbefore provided" would permit another certificate, and prescribe merely the manner of recording.
The counsel for the respondent says: " The latter view contemplates that the company might commence the transaction of business upon a portion of its capital, so that there would be a period of time during which the full capital, as fixed by the charter, would not be paid up, but the company would be legitimately engaged in the transaction of business, and though bunglingly expressed, that it was the intention to provide that when, in course of time, the capital stock became fully paid, that the obligation is impliedly put upon the comptroller of the State, upon the request of the company, to make an examination and give a certificate of that fact; which, being made and rendered in the mannel' provided by section 11, would constitute the termination of individual liability." And he says : "The whole 19th section seems to have had in contemplation that there would be a period of time during which the trustees and stockholders of the company could be legitimately engaged in the transaction of business under the charter; but during which time the whole amount of the capital would not have been paid up, and the proper certificates made and filed." The whole of this argument, except so much as contends for a second certificate, accords with the view we have above expressed, but is entirely repugnant to the grounds stated by the learned judge who delivered the opinion in the court below, as the only one upon which the judgment could stand. That court holds, that but one certificate is provided for, viz.: the one mentioned in section 11, but the court say. "This section" (the 19th) "in terms requires it to show that the whole amount of capital raised, that is, mentioned or provided for in the charter, has been paid in." We have before adverted to this construction, and agreeing that only one certificate is required, have come to the conclusion that it was not intended to contain the statement supposed by the learned judge, and that his construction is erroneous, and inconsistent with the language and obvious intent of section 11.
It seems from the printed argument submitted to us by the respondent, that the view of the court below is not now insisted upon.
The learned counsel argues that there should be two • certificates, one under section 11, and the other to the effect that the whole capital named in the charter has been paid in. We can find no support for the theory in regard to a second certificate. The comptroller has by the act a single duty to perform ; it is indicated by section 11. He can appoint appraisers for one purpose ; it is also stated in section 11. His duty, and that of the appraisers, was performed. He was not bound, nor could he be required to do more.
No provision is made for a second examination by the comptroller, or for any examination or certificate by him or the appraisers as to any other matter or fact connected with the company than the ones referred to; and while neither the company, nor any person connected with it, could require him to act, if he should voluntarily act and furnish a certificate, it would be of no importance or validity, because not required by the statute (Erickson v. Smith, 2 Abb. Ct. App. Dec. 64).
The respondent also says that, technically speaking, the words "and a certificate thereof recorded, as hereinbefore provided " refer back to the one certificate specified in the act; and the construction would be that it must meet the requirements of section 19, in order to constitute to the "stockholders an exemption from individual liability. The difficulty with this view of the case is, that it is not so written in the statute. The one certificate specified in the act (§ 11) when copies have been properly certified and filed, is made the authority of the company "to commence business and issue policies, and the same may be used in evidence for or against said corporation." Now, it is important to bear in mind, that every act required by the statute to be done, before the intervention of the attorney-general can be invoked, must be done before the company is organized—before, therefore, there is any stockholder—and must be done by the associates or corporators. These persons (§ 3) are to file in the office of the secretary of state a declaration signed by themselves, expressing their intention to form a company for the purpose stated in the act, and this declaration must comprise a copy of the charter proposed to be adopted by them ; and this charter, so filled, must state, among other things, the amount of capital to be employed in the transaction of its business. They are to publish a notice of this intention for six weeks, and after this filing of their declaration, and this notice, may then open books for subscription to the capital stock of the company so intended to be organized, " and to keep the same open until the full amount specified in the charter is subscribed." ' Sections 5 and 6 specify the smallest amount of capital which the various kinds of insurance companies shall have ; and then follows (§ 7) the declaration, that it shall not be lawful for any. company organized under the act to transact business ' ' unless possessed of capital securities, as hereinbefore mentionednot, it will be seen, " until possessed of the full amount of capital specified in the charter," which would have been the natural language to employ, if the legislature had any other limitation in view than the arbitrary sum stated in section 5; and when, by section. 11, a certificate is required, it is of the possession of the sum specified in sections 5 and 6, and not the sum specified in the charter, i. e., the full' amount subscribed. This choice of one of two events, so unlike in; their effect—the happening of which is to be determined by the official certificate of the State officers—seems to me very important .in determining the intent of the legislature, and entirely conclusive as to the proper construction of section 11, which requires the certificate. Again, it must be kept in mind that the effect of this certificate is not only prescribed, but it is declared " that the same may be used in evidence for or against said corporations (§ 11). Except for this provision, it would be inadmissible in evidence for any purpose ; and with the provision it would be inadmissible in any action against the stockholder for a liability as such, and would be not only no protection, but not even evidence in the action.
So far the construction given by us to section 11, and the form and object of the certificate thereby required, conforms to the letter and intent of the statute. Its language is precise and unambiguous, and it is only necessary to expound the words used in their natural and ordinary sense, to learn the intention of the legislature (Smith v. People, 47 N. Y. 330).
We are, however, urged by the learned counsel for the respondent to consider the policy of the State, as exhibited in the organization of similar companies, before and after the act of 1849. By his industry we are favored with references to many statutes enacted between 1825 and 1841, and in connection with these examples, our attention is called to the familiar doctrine reiterated by this court in Smith v. People, supra, to the effect that acts in pari materia, passed before or after, may be referred to, in order to ascertain the intent of the legislature in the use of particular terms ; and within the same rule and reason of it, contemporaneous legislation, although not precisely in pari materia, may be referred to for the same purpose. This rule applies to cases of doubt and uncertainty, and is, therefore, thought by the respondent applicable to section 19. We acknowledge to the force of the suggestion and the correctness of the rule of law. But to what conclusion does its application bring us, if we accept the assurance of the learned counsel that the various statutes 11 each contain a proviso for an indi vidual liability to an amount equal to the stock held by each stockholder ? This is not the unlimited liability said to be imposed by section 19, and by virtue of which the judgment below was rendered. The action is not brought on such a basis. No evidence was given tending to show the amount of stock held by the testator. Whether one share of stock, or one thousand, or any larger number, the result would have been the same. The illustrations do not seem to aid us ; instead of an unlimited liability they plainly impose a limited and not unreasonable liability.
They also provide, as the counsel assures us, for proof, by the oath of certain of the officers of the company, that the capital has been paid in before the company shall commence business. Neither of these provisions are contained in the act in question ; and their omission is a fact of some consequence. But it is said in the same case (Smith v. People, supra), that legislative action at the same session is to be regarded as speaking the mind of the legislature upon a common subject. We find, therefore, among the laws of 1849, an act passed the day after the one in question, incorporating the Watertown water-works company (Laws of 1849, c. 426), in which the stockholders are made liable to the creditors of the company, to an amount equal to the amount of stock held by them respectively, for all debts and contracts made by the company, until the whole capital stock has been paid in, and a certificate thereof made and verified by the president and a majority of the directors, and recorded in the clerk's office of Jefferson county. Neither of these provisions are contained in the act before us.
It seems to be thought that it is only by construing section 19 as imposing a personal liability that the creditors can have security outside of the corporation ; but that is not so ; by section 17 all companies formed under this act are declared to be bodies politic and corporate, in fact and in name, and subject to all the provisions of the Revised Statutes in relation to corporations, so far as the same are applicable. Among those provisions is the following : " Where the whole capital of a corporation shall not have been paid in, and the capital paid shall be insufficient to satisfy the claims of its creditors, each stockholder shall be bound to pay, on each share held by him, the sum necessary to complete the amount of such share, as fixed by the charter of the company, or such proportion of that sum as shall be required to satisfy the debts of the company" (1 R. S. tit. 3, pt. 1, c. 18, § 5, p. 557). No other provision is made by the act incorporating the Columbian Fire Insurance Company of the City of New York (Laws of 1836, c. 484) ; or the Indemnity Fire Insurance Company of the City of New York (Id. c. 136); or the Fifth Ward Fire Insurance Company of the City of New York (Id. c. 137) ; or, the Atlas Marine Insurance Company of the City of New York (Id. c. 140) ; or the New York Guardian Insurance Co (Id. c. 144); or the Northern Fire Insurance. Company (Id. c. 173); or the Hamilton Fire Insurance Company (Id. c. 179); or the Eighth Ward Fire Insurance Company (Id. c. 180); or the Merchants' Marine Insurance Company (Id. c. 195) ; or the Canal Insurance Company of the City of New York (Id. c. 500); and so in the entire number of acts of incorporation, some seventeen in number, referred to by the learned counsel as passed in 1837, and to and including 1841. In only one of that period (Laws of 1837, c. 130), the United States Insurance Company of the City of New York, do we find a special provision imposing liability on stockholders in their private and individual capacity ; and there only " to the extent of their shares in the fund at the time of dissolution of the corporation and no further."
In acts of incorporation, prior to the revision of the. statutes, we find, as a general rule, a provision that in respect of debts of the corporation, contracted before the time fixed by the act for its dissolution, the persons composing the corporation at the time of its dissolution shall be responsible, in their private and individual capacity, to the extent of their respective shares in the. funds of the corporation at that time, and no further. In acts passed after the revision of the statutes, the clause of special liability seems to have been generally omitted, and its place supplied by a reference to the Revised Statutes relating to corporations, where is found the provision (§ 5) which we have elsewhere cited, and which establishes the individual liability of the stockholder to the extent of his shares, in case the whole capital has not been paid in, and the capital paid in is insufficient to satisfy the claims of its creditors (p. 660), and this section, the revisers, in their notes say, "is declaratory of a- principle of law which is deemed important should be generally known." In Mann v. Pentz (3 N. Y. 422), construing an act incorporating a railroad company, and in which there was no provision for individual liability of the stockholder to creditors, the court say: "It does not follow, however, that creditors have no remedy against stockholders who have not paid up their subscription. The capital stock of a corporation is a trust fund for the security of creditorsand cite the provision of the Revised Statutes, referred to above, as enacted in accordance with this principle.
The constitution of 1846 allowed corporations to be organized under general laws, and, except in special cases and for municipal purposes, declared that they should not be created by special act (art. 8, §, 1). The first general law on the subject of insurance corporations passed after the adoption of the constitution, was that of 1849. It was a compliance with the constitution, and its object was to prevent the necessity of repeated applications 'to the legislature, by those desirous of engaging in the buisness of insurance (Mygatt v. Protection Ins. Co., 21 N. Y. 58), and we lose sight of special charters, and are brought to consider the changes made in this matter after the act of 1849, by amendments to that act or otherwise. In 1853 (c. 463, laws of that year) an act was passed relating to life and health insurance companies, which follows, in its general outline and provisions, the act of 1849 ; but the omissions and alterations are so significant as to make it a legislative construction of the act of 1849, and notably the sections I have been considering. Its general plan for organization is the same; but it is more logical in its arrangement, and directs more consecutively the steps to be taken for organization and the transaction of business. It prescribes the number of associates, and requires a declaration and charter to be filed with the comptroller, declaring, among other things, "the amount of capital to be employed condensing in one section (3) the provisions of two sections of the act of 1849 (3 and 10). Section 4 makes it the duty of the comptroller to submit the same to the attorney-general, and if approved by him, record it in a book ; and return a certified copy to the corporation. Then, by section 5, " the corporators may proceed to organize the company, and after six weeks' public notice, open books for subscriptions to the capital stock, and keep them open until the amount required by this act is subscribed, and may then proceed to distribute the stock among the subscribers, and collect in the said capital, and complete the organization of the company." It should be noticed that the books are not to be kept open until the amount of capital stated in the charter is subscribed, but only until the "amount required by the act" is subscribed; indicating, as it seems to us, very plainly, an anticipated difference in the two amounts.
Then section 6 declares that no company shall be organized with a less capital than $100,000, for life companies, and for health companies, not less than $50,000 ; and declares that no life company shall commence business until they have deposited with the comptroller of this State $100,000 in stocks or other securities ; nor any health company, until it has deposited $25,000, secured in like manner. Section 7 declares that when the corporators shall have fully organized such company, and the said company have deposited with the comptroller the requisite amount of capital, he shall furnish the corporation with a certificate of such deposit, which, with a certified copy of the papers previously required under this act, shall, when filed in the proper clerk's office, be the authority to commence business and issue policies; and the same -may be used in evidence for or against the corporation in all suits. Section 11 declares the companies formed under the act bodies politic and corporate, in fact and in name, and subjects them to the provisions of the Revised Statutes in relation to corporations, as to all matters not provided for in the act. It will be seen that this act is consistent and complete ; that the certificate of the .attorney-general is required as to the sufficiency of the papers, as in the act before us, and the certificate of the comptroller as in this act, except that, under the act of 1849, he certifies to an examination as to whether the company has paid in the modicum of capital stated, and in that of 1853 he certifies to the actual deposit with him of the amount named ; but in this, no more than in the act of 1849, is any certificate or proof of any kind or form required as to the actual payment in of the capital named in the charter ; nor is there any provision for individual liability on the part of the stockholder except as it is incorporated into it by a reference to the provisions of the Revised Statutes, as is the case in the act of 1849.
The provisions of section 21 of the act of 1849, and its modifications, are also of some importance in this connection. By that section, as it stood in the act of 1849, it was lawful for a mutual company to unite a cash capital, and allow interest upon it, and a participation in its profits, and prescribe the liability of the owners thereof to share in the losses of the company ; and such cash capital was made liable as the capital stock of the company, in the payment of its debts. By the act of 1857 (c. 28), this cash capital was to be divided into shares, its holders were to receive dividends upon it, and vote at all elections of the company upon their shares. It declares that " every subscriber to the cash capital aforesaid shall be individually liable, to the extent of his subscription, for the dues of the corporation, until the shares of stock subscribed for by him shall have been paid in cash to the said corporation ;" and by chapter 38 of the same laws, section 20 of the act of 1849 is so amended as to convert the liability of the stockholder for receiving dividends improperly made from a "joint and several" into an "individual" liability, and from a liability " to the extent of the dividend made by the company" into a liability "to the extent of a dividend received by him;" and section 21 is so amended as to permit a mutual company, organized under the act of 1849, and having complied with the provisions of sections 5 and 21 of the act, to unite a cash capital, to any extent not less than $200,000, and allow interest upon it, and " a participation in its profits." It then declares that no company shall avail itself of this provision until such cash capital, to the extent of at least $100,000, shall have been actually paid in, "and the subscribers to such cash capital, whether payable in full or by installments, shall each be individually liable for the debts of the company, to the extent of his individual, subscription, unless he has paid his subscription in full." This is made applicable to all existing marine mutual insurance companies, however organized.
In 1848, the general law relating to railroads was enacted, and amended largely in 1850. In 1848, the general law in relation to manufacturing corporations was passed Those acts, as well as the one before us, were in compliance with the constitution, and of the same general scope and tendency. We find in the acts of 1848, and in the statute of 1850, a liability on the part of the stockholder, limited and not general; and in the manufacturing law, conditional and not absolute. It was copied almost literally from the Massachusetts act of 1827, and required an action against the corporation within a year after the debt became due, and suit against the stockholder within a year after he ceased to be a member.
We have made this extended examination of different statutes, in an effort to find, if it existed, the type of the section in question, or any similar enactment ; we can find none. And although we have before us, in the elaborate points of the contestant's counsel, a reference to nearly one hundred statutes, all of which have been examined, there is not one which furnishes a similar provision. We think none can be found.
It is conceded that, upon the literal reading of the section, the testator was not bound. We think it apparent that its limitation is, by its own terms, to the requirements of section 11. So construed, it is reasonable, it limits the risk of its members, and defines the extent of their hazard. Construed as was done in the court below, or as the respondent claims it should be, it becomes unreasonable. Compared with the provisions of any other statute, it is unprecedented. The testator, it is conceded, paid his subscription fully. This would have satisfied the requirements of most statutes. Under others he would be required to pay an amount equal to his stock. By none is he made liable to the extent claimed in this case.
It is conceded that the capital stock actually paid in was over $3,000,000, and that the company was duly organized. It thus acquired a corporate capacity. With this a personal liability is wholly inconsistent, and cannot be imposed, except upon the clear direction of the legislature (Myers v. Irvin, 2 S. & R. 731; Harger v. McCulloch, 2 Den. 119 ; Van Sandan v. Moore, 1 Russ. Ch. 458 ; Gray v. Coffin, 9 Cush. 199; Spear v. Grant, 16 Mass. 9).
We cannot find that direction in this statute.
It has seemed proper, in view of the novelty of the question, and the earnest and elaborate presentation of the various aspects of it by the learned counsel for the respective parties, to consider it at length ; but the question is a simple one, and if we confine ourselves to the statute, not difficult of solution. What certificate is required, and what shall be its effect ? We hold, with the general term, that one certificate only is required, and that certificate is the one specified in section 11. But we hold also, that the certificate in the case of a stock company is sufficient, if it states that an amount of capital equal to the amount specified in section 5 of the act has been paid in, and is possessed by it, in money or in such securities as are required by section 8. This certificate was, as the pleadings admit and the evidence shows, duly made and filed.
The plaintiff therefore failed to establish his cause of action, and the judgment appealed from should be reversed and a new trial ordered.
Church, Ch. J., Raparlo and Andrews, JJ., concurred.
See on this subject, Errickson v. Smith, 2 Abb. Ct. App. Dec. 64.