Document: 371 U.S. 555 83 S.Ct. 520 9 L.Ed.2d 523 MERCANTILE NATIONAL BANK AT DALLAS, Appellant,v.C. H. LANGDEAU. REPUBLIC OF Appellant, v. C. Nos. 14, 15. Reargued Dec. 5, 1962. Decided Jan. 21, 1963. Hubert D. Johnson and Marvin S. Sloman, Dallas, Tex., for appellants. William E. Cureton, Waco, Quentin Keith, Beaumont, appellee. Mr. Justice WHITE delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Appellee, receiver a Texas insurance company in liquidation Ninety-eighth District Court Travis County, Texas, brought an action that court against two national banks who are appellants here 143 other parties, alleging conspiracy to defraud claiming damages jointly severally amount 15 million dollars. Each appellant filed plea privilege, as provided by Rules Civil Procedure, asserting it was located Dallas therefore immune from suit County under provisions Rev.Stat. § 5198 (1878), 12 U.S.C. 94, which provides: 2 'Actions proceedings any association this chapter may be had district or Territorial United States held within such established, State, county, municipal county city said is having jurisdiction similar cases.'1 3 on hand, relied upon Insurance Code, Art. 21.28, Section 4, V.A.T.S. 4 '(f) New Lawsuits. The competent delinquency pending Article shall have venue hear determine all instituted after commencement insurer receiver.' 5 pleas were overruled they appealed, being agreed only issue review whether 94 entitled transferred state provision contained 4(f) Code controlling. Appeals reversed sustained privilege ground required bank its location. Supreme Court, however, refused accept prohibiting petitioners when statute expressly permitted it. 161 Tex. 349, 341 S.W.2d 161. On one interpreted permissive only, not mandatory, other, been repealed omnibus repealing clause 1882 statute2 subsequently absorbed into 28 1348.3 Appellants cases 1257(2) and, because finality question, we postponed ruling our until merits considered. 368 809, 82 32, 7 19. I. 6 question appellate quite considered Local No. 438 Const. General Laborers' Union, AFL—CIO Curry, 543, 531, although there courts at inquiry has proper entertain banks. Nonetheless, substantial claim, appealable law, made federal statute, rather than determines sued prohibits further defendants now pending. This separate independent matter, anterior enmeshed factual legal issues comprising plaintiff's cause action. Moreover, believe serves policy underlying requirement 1257 tried subject them, appellee, long complex litigation naught if consideration preliminary conclusion proceedings. Accordingly, note appeal turn court. II. roots problem reach back National Banking Act 1863, Stat. 665, replaced year later 1864, 13 99.4 instrumentalities power Congress over them extensive. 'National quasipublic institutions, purpose their character, constitutional limits, control Congress, interfered with legislative judicial action, except so far lawmaking government permit.' Van Reed People's Nat. Bank, 198 554, 557, 25 775, 776, 49 L.Ed. 1161. Unquestionably authority prescribe manner circumstances could sue addressed itself matter 1863 Act. 8 By 11 banking associations given general corporate powers, among 'sue * law equity fully natural persons.'5 section, teaching Bank Deveaux, Cranch 61, 38, observed, conferred no but merely endowed corporations. more say about subject. 59 Act6 suits established. No mention courts. If remained form, might well grave doubt suability courts, noted First Bay City Fellows ex rel. Union Trust Co., 244 416, 428, 37 734, 739, 61 1233.7 next year, exercised permit certain 57 1864 Act8 carried forward former also added 'suits state, located, *.' phrase had' was, every respect, appropriate language specifying precise consented intended those alone will. We would lightly conclude congressional enactment function. must strive give meaning each Title predecessors. See Menasche, 348 528, 539, 75 513, 520, 99 615; Inhabitants Montclair Ramsdell, 107 147, 152, 391, 394, 27 431. us hold jurisdictional requirements otherwise satisfied. Such ruling, course, render altogether meaningless permitting bank's home county. unwilling do, particularly light history 57. That section omitted 62 (National Banks) Revised Statutes 1873, same time, included (The Judiciary) granting residence.9 These express relating apparently did solve entire problem, 62, Statutes, amended 1875 adding substantially identical Act.10 Thus second time specified brought. 10 All touched accord where located.11 Notable these Charlotte Morgan, 132 141, 37, 33 282, involved located. stated personal exempting outside counties. However, since case objected trial location raised first appeal, waived.12 Thus, find nothing support appellee's construction statute. contrary, sources convince mandatory reading.13 consequence decision, appellee says, litigant will unable join different counties districts. But aside presented cases, situation consider. Cf. §§ 1391(a), (b), 1401; Greenberg Giannini, 140 F.2d 550, 552, 152 A.L.R. 966 (C.A.2d Cir.). also, Bankers Life & Casualty Co. Holland, 346 379, 384, 74 145, 148, 98 106. Similarly, even 145 proceeding facility this, insufficient basis departing command Nevertheless, though intention venturing matters procedure, parties disagreement argument before aware recent Langdeau Burke Investment 358 553, holding 21.28(4), permissive, thus restricting receivership procedural rules very transfer County. Civ.Proc. 89;14 Tunstill Scott, 138 425, 160 65; Terrell Kohler, 48 531 (Tex.Civ.App.). Tex.Rules 16415 appears dismissal without prejudice improper sustained, see Luck Welch, 243 589 (Tex.Civ.App., ref. n.r.e.); Wiley Joiner, 223 539 (Tex.Civ.App.), opening way new 1995(4)16 indicates County.17 14 finally, attempts avoid his entirely denying existence 5198, (1878). proviso July 12, 1882: '(T)he hereafter as, than, organized *. And laws parts inconsistent be, hereby, repealed.'18 16 It 1348,19 derived March 3, 1887,20 re-enacts Act, somewhat modified continuing intent repeal extent prescribes 356, S.W.2d, 166. 17 Since successors do contention necessarily implied requiring some manifest inconsistency positive repugnance between statutes. Borden 308 188, 198—199, 60 182, 84 181. neither here. construed case, essentially governing either whereas 1887 designed overcome effect 563 629 Rev.Stat.21 allowed circuit solely banks, regard diversity, controversy usual sense. sought limit, exceptions, access to, in, non-national limited.22 18 Decisions recognized purported deal jurisdiction. As observed Continental Memphis Buford, 191 119, 123—124, 24 54, 56, 119: 19 'The necessary legislation make citizens states respectively withdraw right invoke simply created by, powers under, acts Congress. can imputed result.' Leather Manufacturers' Cooper, 120 778, 777, 30 816. subsequent 1348, warrants sought, implication, relax restrictions 5198. 20 effective duly raised. judgments causes remanded opinion. 21 Reversed remanded. 22 BLACK DOUGLAS, while agreeing 'final,' dissent controversy. 23 CLARK took part decision cases. (For dissenting HARLAN, post, p. 572.) APPENDIX TO OPINION THE COURT. 1. February 25, c. 58: 'Sec. 11. enacted, formed pursuant act use common seal, succession name designated articles period limited therein, not, exceeding twenty years passage act; contracts, sued, complain defend persons 668. 26 59. suits, actions, circuit, district, territorial established.' 681. 2. June 106: 8. defend, persons.' 101; 5136 (1873). proceedings, act, established; cases: Provided, enjoin comptroller States, located.' 116—117. 29 3. Banks, 1873. 18, 1875, 80, 320. amended, reads follows: taking, receiving, reserving, charging rate interest greater preceding knowingly done, deemed forfeiture note, bill, evidence debt carries it, paid thereon. In paid, person whom representatives, recover back, nature debt, twice taking receiving same; commenced usurious transaction occurred. title cases.' (Amendment italics.) 31 4. portion 94: 32 's 94. Venue 34 yet enacted law. 35 5. 13, Judiciary, Courts—Jurisdiction. 36 563. Fifteenth. Of established providing held.' 7, Circuit Court—Jurisdiction. 38 629. original Tenth. held, associations.' 39 40 6. 1882, 290, 162, enable extend existence, purposes. following proviso: 41 '* national-banking associations, officers agents, business doing begun: repealed.'1 163. 42 7. 1887, 373, August 1888, 866. 43 shall, purposes actions real, personal, mixed, equity, located; individual State. 44 affect direction officer thereof, winding up affairs bank.'2 436. 45 1348 contains present version covered Acts 1888: 46 1348. party 47 civil association, wind Comptroller Currency, acting direction, chapter. 'All dissenting. 50 Court's appeals, things 542, cut deeply statutory 'finality' limiting judgments.1 51 technical rule yielding need exigencies particular situations. Rather, long-standing healthy protects litigants disruptions piecemeal forecloses passing dissipated final outcome helping keep minimum undesirable federal-state conflicts. instance precludes, my opinion, exercise stage 52 reviewed determination properly laid determination, tantamount denial motion dismiss classic example interlocutory step towards ultimate disposition reviewable judgment. Catlin 324 229, 65 631, 89 911; Moore, Federal Practice 54.12(1), 54.14; Clinton Foods Cir., 188 289, 291 -292, cited therein.2 fits squarely judgment unless terminates leaves done enforce execution what demanded. Parr 351 76 912, 100 1377. 53 true several specific, narrowly circumscribed, exceptions developed order extraordinary situations substance form. appeals fall exceptions. 54 remains mere formality, concede whole stand claim. Compare Richfield Oil Corp. State Board Equalization, 329 69, 67 156, 91 80; Pope Atlantic Coast Line R. 345 73 749, 97 1094; 531. Quite vigorously deny liability 55 Nor like Radio Station WOW Johnson, 326 120, 1475, 2092, challenged immediate property, remaining left disposed wholly unrelated, almost certainly mooted reviewed. Here, victory clearly moot today. 'It course province discourage appeals. soundest reasons ought pass reached definitive stop.' Republic Natural Gas Oklahoma, 334 71, 68 972, 978, 92 1212. 56 lost merits, then open Hence Cohen Beneficial Industrial Loan Corp., 337 541, 546, 69 1221, 1225, 93 1528, merged where, granted, claimed ever obtained. Failing come familiar assertion should subjected burdensome wrong forum, claim finds compelling. surely cannot accepted, large variety continue; does definitively terminate plainly final. To rely hardship away distinction orders. reason always hazard invest requisite appeal. E.g., 519—520, 916—917, 58 impression. Cincinnati Street Snell, 179 395, 205, 248, railway highest directing change remanding contended ordered unconstitutional. point, challenging constitutionality application local provisions. unanimously dismissed writ error lack finality, stating: appealed finally adjudges allowed; comment dozens orders progress cause. Indeed, scarcely imaginable dispose point arising case; justify order, of. final, passes cause, require dozen writs case.' U.S., 397, S.Ct., 206. shows invalidity spared presently sustained. For unmoved circumstance already won jury verdict set faulty venue. A fortiori, tried, deaf claims throws great uncertainty will, I am afraid, tend increase future efforts review.3 dismissed. Appendix, pertinent Appendix 567. begins chartered 1791 (1 191; 38), continued 1811. Dictionary American History 155 (1940). Second incorporated 1816, 266, Osborn Wheat. 738, terminated 1836 charter expire. Ibid. '(O)ur fortified terms 57, chap. 106, L. 116 (the discussed infra), making controversies concerning cognizable intimate relation many regulations, although, grant character.' 739. cf. Claflin Houseman, 130, 135, 833. Bethel Pahquioque Wall. 383, 840, default notes. instrumentality Government, noting Subsequently, Casey Adams, 102 66, 52, reaffirmed mandate applied ordinary transitory intend apply local, rem actions. Many later, deciding Cope Anderson, 331 461, 1340, 1602, compelling language, pointed out: 'For purposes, 'citizen' 41(16), sued. 94.' 467, 1343. 'This exemption elsewhere doubt, prescribed convenience prevent interruption result books sent distant obedience process (First Nat.) (20 840); Crocker Marine 101 Mass. 200 (240). But, indulging conjecture object sufficient granted congress, defendant, appearing Superior Cleveland recognized. defendant choose immunity defence unsuccessful, prosecuted latter tribunal, congress. too late. Considering words authorizing waive, which, suggested why another, both dignity, take cognizance bank, bank. supports view necessary.' 38. lower unanimous mandatory. Buffum Chase 192 (C.A.7th Cir. 1951), cert. denied, 342 944, 72 558, 96 702; Leonardi 81 1936), 298 677, 941, 80 1398; International Refugee Organization America, 86 F.Supp. 884 (S.D.N.Y.1949); Schmitt Tobin, (D.Nev.1935); Cadle Tracy, Fed.Cas. 967, 2,279 (C.C.S.D.N.Y.1873). considering evenly divided. Some situated, Monarch Wine Butte, 113 Cal.App.2d 833, 249 P.2d (1952); 240 (1869); Rabinowitz Kaiser-Frazer Misc. 312, N.Y.S.2d 638 (Sup.Ct.1950); Raiola Los Angeles, etc., 133 630, 233 N.Y.S. 301 (Sup.Ct.1929); Burns Northwestern N.D. 473, 260 N.W. 253 (1935); Zarbell America Savings Ass'n, Wash.2d 549, 327 436 (1958). Others theory impliedly repealed, Fresno Cal. 491, P. 157 (1890); Levitan Houghton 174 Mich. 566, 1019 (1913); De Cock O'Connell, Minn. 228, 246 885, 248 829, (1933); Stewart Mont. 390, 801 Guerra Lemburg, 336 (Tex.Civ.1929); Brust 184 Wis. 15, 749 (1924), construction, Linden Alston, 231 Ala. 348, 165 So. 241 (Ala.1936); Hills Burnett, 172 Neb. 370, 109 N.W.2d 739 (1961); Talmage Third N.Y. (1883); Curlee 187 N.C. 121 S.E. 194 (1924). Okeechobee Florida 112 Fla. 309, 150 124 Cassatt N.J.Misc. 222, 153 A. 377 (Sup.Ct.1931); Chaffee Glens Falls 204 181, 123 635 (Sup.Ct.1953), aff'd, 283 App.Div. 694, 128 793, 129 237. 'Transferred Plea Is Sustained 'If dismissed, (Vernon 1955). 'Non-Suit 'At retired, plaintiff non-suit, he thereby adverse heard affirmative relief. When judge, non-suit taken announced.' 164 'Venue, '4. Defendants counties.—If reside counties, resides.' 1995(4), Tex.Rev.Civ.Stat. 1950). sure, frivolous joinder insure desired venue, Stockyards Maples, 127 633, 95 1300, difficulty sustaining burden establish residents that, alleges, valid basis. supra, conclusion. appeared amendment offered floor House Representative Hammond, fixing assignment bill H.R. 4167 special order. Cong.Rec. 3900, 3901. Hammond succinctly 'My amendment, therefore, declares limits actually side; same.' Cong.Rec., 4049. Robinson asked, 'As understand gentleman's proposed effect, precisely regulations there, subject.' replied, 'That all.' Supplement 354 (2d ed. 1891), despite apparent duplication 614. appear 1925 official restatement 1878 statutes presumptively evidently Committee Revision 1833, 1, 1922, 257, 2, 767. 1948 codification repealed. 992, ch. 646, 39. 1888 1911 judiciary procedure enacted. 1911, 231, 297, 1168. became Judicial (1940 ed.) 41(16) 1948. '(f)inal decrees rendered had.' 236, 635: '(D)enial dismiss, based grounds, immediately reviewable. Certainly whenever saved disposing suggest unique decisions conflict fail how appealability identity appellants, substantiality asserted bearing

Category: 8