Court Opinion

ID: 5382926
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-08 09:10:07.755274+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:30:10.219298
License: Public Domain

Hill, P. J. (dissenting).
The applicable portion of section 12 of the Personal Property Law is identical with the original enactment in 1893 (ch. 701) and was construed in Allen v. Stevens (161 N. Y. 122, 141, 142) to re-establish in this State the doctrine of the English common law as to charitable uses, created by the statute 43 Elizabeth, chapter IV, and to reinstate the doctrine of Williams v. Williams (8 N. Y. 525, 558), that “ the law of charitable uses as it existed in England at the time of the revolution, and the jurisdiction of the court of chancery over these subjects, became the.law of this state on the adoption of the constitution of 1777; that the law has not been repealed, and that the existing courts of this state having equity jurisdiction are bound to administer that law.” After the Williams case, decided in 1853, the opposite doctrine prevailed, culminating in the Tilden case (Tilden v. Green, 130 N. Y. 29) decided late in 1891. This was followed shortly by the act of the Legislature earlier mentioned which provided “ No gift, grant, bequest or devise to religious, educational, charitable, or benevolent uses, which shall, in other respects be valid under the laws of this state, shall or be deemed invalid by reason of the indefiniteness or uncertainty of the persons designated as the beneficiaries thereunder in the instrument creating the same.” It was determined in Allen v. Stevens {supra) that the Legislature also intended to reinstate the English common-law rule as to perpetuities which had been disapproved by the decisions after the Williams case.
In each of the cases cited, and all others adressed to a like subject, the trusts attempted or created were for the benefit of a class of persons or mankind generally. Here we are dealing with a bequest and devise where the charity or benevolence is “ for the comfort and benefit of dumb animals ” and the real property and income from a substantial sum of money is directed to be used in perpetuity “ for a hospital or home for dumb animals, and that there be placed upon the front of the house upon said property, an appropriate sign, containing the following words: ‘ Hamilton Hospital for Animals. ’ ’ ’
Matter of Browning (165 Misc. 819, affd. 254 App. Div. 843, affd. 281N. Y. 577) provided that a fund be paid “ to such man or woman throughout the world ” or an organization that accomplished “ preeminent results ” in “ The prevention of cruelty *638to children or animals, or the promotion of peace and international harmony ” or “ increased production and improvement of fish, birds or animals; the conservation of forests; the irrigation of arid lands; the increase or improvement of crops, flowers or plants.” There were other purposes, but only the two quoted had any reference to animals. There the beneficiaries were persons or groups that studied and developed ideas and plans. Here the benefactions have no relation to mankind. The court of last resort in this State has recently construed the meaning of the terms philanthropic and eleemosynary used in a zoning ordinance, and has determined that they are not descriptive of a dog shelter or pound. (Westchester County S. P. C. A. v. Mengel, 292 N. Y. 121.)
All of the authorities called to our attention, as well as authors of texts upon trusts dealing with the meaning of the words charitable and benevolent under the common law of England and here before the Revolution and since, contemplate and assume a benefaction to the human group.
The courts of this State have revitalized the ancient law which applied only to benefactions to mankind. Chief Judge Parker, in the prevailing opinion in Allen v. Stevens (supra), writing and determining that the Act of 1893 not only disapproved the cases decided after the Williams case as to indefiniteness, but also as to perpetuities, says: “ That he [Fowler on Charitable Uses] is right in saying that the legislature ‘ designed to restore the ancient law touching charitable uses for uncertain persons ’ seems unquestionable, and it appears to be reasonably clear, from a reading of the entire act, that the legislature designed to restore the law governing the administration of such trusts as well.” (P. 142.) An approval of the trust here involved would not only restore the ancient law concerning “ persons ” but it would include benefactions in other fields. The sentiments of testatrix were humane and would be regarded by many as highly praiseworthy. However, the arguments and logic which sustain the desirability and legality of the perpetual application of income from invested funds and the use of real property for relief and aid to the unfortunate of the human race, or to promote their happiness or advance their mental attainments, do not apply to the benefaction, care and relief of dumb animals. An extension of the doctrine beyond the original limits may not be made by a court that is bound by precedents and pronouncements by courts of last resort.
The decree should be reversed and a determination made that the Nineteenth paragraph of decedent’s will is void.
*639Heffernan, Brewster and Lawrence, JJ., concur with Foster, J.; Hill, P. J., dissents, in an opinion.
Decree affirmed, with costs to the appellants and respondent payable out of the estate.