Court Opinion

ID: 5512268
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-10 04:20:36.808216+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:34:11.561887
License: Public Domain

Brady, J.,
dissenting. The object of this action is to destroy the assignment made to the defendand Butterfield by DeForest, Armstrong & Co., and his examination should be confined to the issues created by the pleadings. The only question allowable of those objected to, in my understanding of these issues, is as follows: “What is the entire amount you had realized from the notes assigned you as collateral security for money borrowed at the time of the assignment? ” It is alleged that the assignors were not indebted to defendant Butterfield, and it is admitted by the latter that he received col-laterals for the loans made by him, which formed the indebtedness of the assignors. If he had received any sums from them at the time of the assignment they should have been deducted from the amount of his claim, and the omission to do it, if such omission were made, would be a circumstance to be considered in reference to the good faith of the instrument. This question seems to be answered substantially, however, by his statement. “ I did not collect any thing from bills receivable I took from DeForest, Armstrong & Co. until after their assignment.” And having received nothing until the time named, the fund to which they belonged was of the assigned estate and subject to an investigation in a proceeding against Mm to account. The other questions are properly connected with such a proceeding and have no legitimate bearing upon the issue, which must necessarily refer to the existing relations and objects in view at *545the time of and prior to the execution of the assignment. There can be no doubt that if the assignment was valid in its creation, no subsequent acts could invalidate it, although they might furnish a reason for the removal of the assignee. The order made by Mr. Justice Doyohue is not appealed from, and it is conclusive upon the defendant Butterfield so far as it applies; but the appeal from the order of Mr. Justice Lawbeptce, which we are considering, is •‘that the defendant Butterfield answer the questions propounded to him,” and is in its nature an original order on the subject embraced within it, and, therefore, presents 'for review the propriety of the questions asked. I think that the order appealed from should be reversed.
' Order affirmed,.