Court Opinion

ID: 8632816
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-11-24 19:40:16.94715+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:55:49.838516
License: Public Domain

WOODRUFF, Circuit Judge.
The bankrupt seeks, by petition of review, to reverse an order of the district court, which, by the dissolution of an injunction, permits the respondent, Samuel C. Smith, to continue a sujt brought in the state court for the foreclosure of a mortgage upon certain lands of the bankrupt, which suit was commenced after the filing of the petition whereon the Iron Mountain Company [of Lake Champlain] was adjudged bankrupt, and after the appointment of an assignee, and the conveyance to him of all the estate of the bankrupt [Case unreported.] It appeared, by uncontradicted evidence, that the mortgaged premises were worth less than one-half the amount of the mortgage, so that it was quite clear that the equity of redemption is of no value whatever. There was no proof that the mortgage is not in all respects valid, and it was given long before the bankruptcy of the company.
There is no doubt whatever of the power of the district court, in bankruptcy, to take the administration of the entire estate, and ascertain and liquidate liens thereon, and to restrain the holder of a mortgage or other lien from proceeding in any suit to enforce such lien; and, where the value of the property exceeds the amount secured by such mortgage or lien, it will, in general, be proper to do so, in order to preserve to the assignee his right, secured by the twentieth section of the bankrupt law [of .1867 (14 Stat. 526)], to receive the excess in value, and release the right of redemption, or to sell the property subject to the mortgage, or to invoke the power of the court to first liquidate and settle the amount of the lien. So, it will be proper to restrain the proceeding in any other court, where the amount or the validity of the lien is in doubt. This may often be necessary to tlie full protection of the general creditors, who are entitled to such protection in the court in bankruptcy, where they are to look for the fund to be distributed to them. In all such eases, it would be the duty of the assignee to apply to the court in bankruptcy, to assist him in bringing all the assets into that court, to be applied and disposed of according to the rights and interests of all concerned, whether holders of liens or general creditors.
But, where no advantage can result to the estate of the bankrupt. I see no reason why the court should interfere, when neither the assignee nor any creditor invokes such interference, and it appears, without contradiction, that the equity of redemption is of no. value. There is no excess of value to be paid to the assignee .on his releasing the right *98of redemption. There is nothing to he sold subject to the mortgage, which will yield anything; and any action of the district court, for the liquidation and settlement of the amount of the lien, and for the sale of the property to satisfy it. would be a mere expense to the estate, producing nothing. Under those circumstances, the court may. I think, properly exercise a discretion on the subject, and may decline interference. The case should be clear, and the proof that nothing can be saved to the estate should be satisfactory; and, if the court can see that any prejudice to the interests ot creditors may happen, it should not permit those interests to be put at hazard by a proceeding to which the general creditors are not parties, and in respect to which they have no protection but through the proceedings in bankruptcy.
Upon the uncontradicted facts in this case, nothing can be gained, and expenses chargeable upon the estate would be incurred, by any interference in the matter. Whether the property, when sold in foreclosure, shall produce one-half, or only one-fourth, of the amount of the mortgage, is not of tne least moment. The claimants of the lien, by electing to pursue the mortgaged premises, will deprive themselves of any right to prove their debt in bankruptcy, for the deficiency, (section 20,) and, in that view, it may be greatly for the interest of the. general creditors to permit such election to be carried into effect, and thereby enhance the dividends to be made to them.
The order of the district court was a proper one, and must be affirmed.