Court Opinion

ID: 8017278
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-09 02:06:13.687618+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:36:25.891723
License: Public Domain

DISSENTING OPINION.
LAMM, 3.
— Prohibition. A preliminary rule issued here to show cause. On return made,' relator filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings. The issue *534seeks a review of the pleadings. A synopsis follows:
The petition states that one Miller had a judgment for $5000 against the Transit Company; that relator purchased it and took a transfer; that he then brought a creditor’s bill to hold the United Railways Company liable for its payment; that such equity suit was assigned to the -division of the circuit court of the city of St. Louis presided over by Judge McQuillin; that evidence was heard and the cause tentatively submitted in February, 1909 — final submission to await argument and briefs of counsel after the stenographer’s notes were transcribed; that before final submission relator purchased the judgment of one Kubke against Transit Company for $4000, and the same was formally assigned to him; that on June 5, 1909, by leave of court and consent of defendant Railways Company, relator amended his bill to include the Kubke judgment; that the cause was then argued and briefs submitted; that it was fully and fairly tried on both sides and is now s-ub juclice; that afterwards, on October, 1909. while said cause was still in the bosom of the court, a motion was filed therein and a notice served on relator, Chandler, citing him to appear and show cause.
The motion made by members of the bar, is set out in full in the petition. The substance of it will do, vis., that movents have good reason to believe and do believe that relator’s equity suit is not being conducted as a genuine controversy, but in the interest of defendant Railways Company, and not as a real controversy in good faith. “In the interest of a proper administration of the law” movents ask the court to appoint a friend of the court and such commission or commissioners as the court deems proper to investigate the purchase and ownership- of said judgments and the steps and proceedings taken in said case, “to the end that the validity and good faith of the proceedings may be ascertained or the contrary established.” Mov*535ents say they are attorneys for litigants holding judgments against Transit Company, and are contending .that Bailways Company is liable for their payment; that their rights will be jeopardized by a feigned controversy. The motion goes on to recite certain facts which, in the- minds of movents indicated a fictitious suit in the interest of defendant, ousting the jurisdiction of the St. Louis Court of Appeals and transferring jurisdiction to the Supreme Court — the said St. Louis Court of Appeals having decided in a case known as the “Barrie case” that Railways Company was responsible for judgments against the Transit Company; that the claim of ownership of the judgments was fraudulent ; that they were transferred to Chandler by one Woodward, who in turn had bought them in the interest of Transit Company and Bailways Company. The motion concludes as follows: “Wherefore, because of the peculiar and suspicious nature of the proceedings in the aforesaid case of Chandler v. United Railways Company of St. Louis, number 47,423 of this court, we ask that the case be investigated as hereinbefore requested.”
Relator next alleges that the motion was not sworn to but was subscribed by five attorneys; that presently relator filed his “return” to said motion verified by affidavits. The “return” is also copied in full in relator’s petition, but the substance will do. It avers that the charge that Mr. Chandler is not conducting his suit as a genuine controversy, but is carrying it on in the interest of Bailways Company, is false; that the charge that there has not been a bona fide presentation of the law or facts is false. While denying other allegations of the motion, it admits the amendment in the equity suit by including the Kubke judgment had the legal effect to oust the jurisdiction of the St. Louis Court of Appeals. It avers that the charg'e that Chandler was not the owner of the judgments is untrue. It disavows all knowledge or information on the alleged *536relations of Woodward with Transit Company and Railways Company and avers that it does not concern him whether said charges are true or false. It affirmatively pleads that neither the defendant in said canses nor anyone else, except relator, has any interest in said judgments, directly or indirectly, and that if relator be successful, he will collect of defendant the full amount of the judgments as his exclusive property; that his suit from the start has been prosecuted at his own cost and expense, free from the control or direction of defendant, its attorneys or anyone else, for the sole object of obtaining a judgment; that his case was presented to the utmost of his ability, after due preparation, for the sole purpose of showing the court that defendant was liable for judgments against Transit Company; that it was defended vigorously and fairly presented on both sides without collusion between parties litigant or their attorneys, each aiming to defeat the other; that Mr. Gilliam, one of movents, was the leader and instigator of the motion. The return then deals with certain negotiations between Gilliam and relator’s attorneys pointing to offers indicating good faith, and denies any improper motive in amending his pleading so as to confer jurisdiction on the Supreme Court in case of an appeal, averring that he “felt perfectly satisfied in his own mind from most careful examination of the authorities upon the subject, that the Supreme Court would, upon appeal, hold the defendant liable;” that Mr. Gilliam in another case, number 59,868, now pending in the circuit court of the city of St. Louis, entitled Johnson v. United Railways Company, had done the same thing relator was charged with doing, vis., united eight different judgments aggregating $26,600 — no one of which was sufficient in amount to make the case appealable to the Supreme Court; that Railways Company was not cited and made no “return;” but afterwards the motion of Gilliam ct al. being taken up by respondent, the court sua *537sponte put relator on the stand and examined him hy asking four questions — the answers of relator thereto showing that relator knew the condition of the docket of the St. Louis Court of Appeals and of the Supreme Court, and knew that a case could be reached on appeal in the former in eight months and in the latter in about two years. One of the moving parties then asked leave to examine the witness, Chandler, but the court refused. After argument by Mr. Laurie against and Messrs. Gilliam and Gentry for the motion, the court took time to consider, and subsequently entered the following order:
“It having been suggested to the court by practicing attorneys of this bar and officers of this court that the above entitled cause in which a member of this bar and an officer of this court is plaintiff, is not a real controversy prosecuted in good faith, therefore, in order to ascertain the truth or falsity of the charge, it is ordered by this court that Charles W. Bates, Esq., a member of this bar, be appointed commissioner to investigate and learn the true facts in relation to said matter, and report to this court; said commissioner is hereby empowered to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books and papers, administer oaths, examine witnesses, and reduce the examination to writing,' and to that end may employ the services of a competent stenographer. Said commissioner shall embrace in his report a finding of facts and said report shall be accompanied with all the evidence taken at the hearing.
“Eugene McQuillin,
“Judge, Division No. 6, Circuit Court, Eighth Judicial Circuit, State of Missouri.”
Presently relator filed a motion to vacate the order on the ground the court had no jurisdiction to make it, exceeded its jurisdiction in making it; that the return of Chandler was conclusive; and that in amending his petition so as to include the Kubke judgment *538he exercised a right sanctioned by the court at the time. It does not appear what disposition was made of the motion to vacate the order, but it is alleged that Mr. Bates has accepted the appointment, is ready to proceed, and but awaits the action of this court on the suggestion for prohibition. It next alleged that the motion of Gilliam et al. presents no grounds for relief, is not verified by affidavit, is based merely on the belief and suspicions of the moving parties that the controversy was fictitious; that the return of relator completely answered the suggestions of the movents, was conclusive upon the trial court and left no alternative save to dismiss the motion; that if it be considered that the return was not conclusive and that movents had the right to rebut the same, yet they failed to do so and the return, standing unimpeached, was binding and left no foundation for any investigation; that the return to the motion, admitting the amendment by including the Kubke judgment, did not render relator amenable as for contempt of court or create a foundation for an investigation,- that relator had a legal right to make the amendment by consent of counsel and leave of court, and his conduct cannot be called in question; that the course of the court’s examination of relator at the hearing of the motion indicated that he thought it strange that Chandler would subject himself, to a delay of two years in the Supreme Court when his ease could be reached within eight months by the Court of Appeals; that a ready explanation is that by avoiding a new suit on the Kubke judgment and the expense and delay thereof the delay in reaching a hearing in the Supreme Court was counterbalanced; that the moving parties seem to think it strange that Chandler, instead of going to the Court of Appeals where, under the doctrine of the Barrie case (138 Mo. App. 557), he had a plain road to a favorable decision, would by the amendment take the risk of a decision in a forum where the question was nova res,- relator suggests that *539there was nothing new in the Barrie ease; that its doctrine was merely an application of equity principles long established and recognized and relator felt he had no reason to apprehend an adverse decision at our hands; that the order of the trial court made on the hearing of the motion shows on its face it had no jurisdiction ; it does not recite that the court acted on facts within its own knowledge or on facts submitted by third parties but on “the bare suggestion” of movents, which suggestions were not based on knowledge but on suspicion; that so acting without jurisdiction said order wrongfully subjected relator' to suspicion and humiliation, imposes on him an expense of time and money and deprives him of his rights as a suitor by subjecting him to delay until the investigation be completed.
Wherefore, a writ of prohibition is prayed, etc.
The return of Judge MeQuillin is challenged as insufficient, therefore we give it in full, thus:
• “Comes now the respondent in the above entitled cause and makes return to the writ of prohibition herein.
“Eespondent admits that he is one of the judges' of the circuit court of the city of St. Louis, Missouri, sitting in Division No. 6 of said court, as alleged in the petition of relator, and that he was such judge of such division of said court at all the times referred to by the relator in his petition filed herein. That there is pending in said division of said court over which respondent presides, the suit of Albert B. Chandler, plaintiff, v. United Railways Company of St. Louis, defendant, and that said cause has been tried bv the court and is now under submission, all the evidence having been heard and the brief of counsel for the respective parties therein having been filed with the court.
“Eespondent further admits that after the evidence in said cause was heard, the plaintiff, Albert B. Chandler, by leave of court granted with the consent *540of counsel for the United Railways Company, amended his petition in which he had originally sought to recover only upon a judgment for five thousand dollars in favor of Charles A. Miller and wife and assigned to said Albert B. Chandler, so as to include in said petition the judgment of one Augusta Kubke, which had been obtained against the St. Louis Transit Company for four thousand dollars, and which said Chandler alleged had been duly assigned and of which he claimed to be the owner.
“Respondent further admits that while said cause was under submission and before the rendering of any decision therein by the court, there was filed in said division of said circuit court a motion or petition signed by five members of the St. Louis Bar, all of whom were, personally known to this respondent, requesting the court to inquire into the good faith of the plaintiff Chandler in the conduct of said cause against the' United Railways Company, and respondent says that said petition or motion signed by said attorneys is correctly copied in the petition of relator on file in this case, with the exception of the names of the various attorneys signed to said petition or motion. ‘
“Respondent further says that said petition or motion was signed by the following attorneys, practicing at the St. Louis Bar, to-wit: John A. Gilliam, William R. Gentry, Amos R. Taylor, Earl M. Pirkey and William L. Bohnenkamp.
“Respondent further says that on Friday, the 22d day of October, 1909, at the October term of said circuit court, the relator, Albert B. Chandler, filed in said cause in said division of the circuit court, over which this respondent presides, a return or answer to the petition or motion filed by said above-named attorneys and duly verified by affidavit, and respondent admits that said return of said Chandler in said cause is correctly copied in full in the petition of relator filed herein. Respondent further says that when plaintiff’s said *541motion was called the counsel for Albert B. Chandler, to-wit, Joseph S. Laurie, Esq., arose and, at first having filed a motion to strike said motion or petition of said attorneys from the files, stated that he would withdraw said motion to strike the same from the files and in lieu thereof file the return in said cause. The said counsel for Albert B. Chandler objected to the court proceeding any further, claiming that because the motion or petition filed by said attorneys was not verified, while the return of the said respondent thereto was verified, the court was precluded from hearing the matter any further. Whereupon all of said counsel who had signed: said motion offered to verify the same by their affidavit if the court would grant them leave to do so, but the court thereupon stated to them that .it was unnecessary for the motion to be verified. The court of its own motion then called the said Albert B. Chandler to the witness stand, required him to be sworn and proceeds as follows:
[Here follows the examination of Mr. Chandler, the substance of which is correctly set forth in relator’s'petition. Also a request by movents to have certain witnesses examined which was denied bv the court. Also an offer by Mr. Laurie to furnish further affidavits. Also a recital of the fact of oral argument on the motion, a citation of authorities and leave to file briefs, respondent furnishing this court with a memorandum of authorities furnished by attorneys for the motion and on which he acted.]
“Respondent further admits that on the 5th day of November, 1909, it being one of the days of the October term of said court, the respondent, as the judge presiding over said court, made the order referred to in relator’s petition and in doing so handed down in open court memorandum in said cause, which is correctly copied on pages 8 and 9 of the petition of relator on file herein, and respondent further admits that on the same day and immediately after said decision *542was handed down, Joseph S. Laurie, Esq., as attorney for said Chandler, filed a motion to set aside said order, which motion is correctly copied on page 9 of relator’s petition herein.
“The respondent denies each and every other allegation in the petition of relator on file herein.
“Further making return in this case, respondent says that when the motion filed by said attorneys in said cause requesting the appointment of a commissioner to inquire into the question of the good faith of the plaintiff Chandler in bringing and maintaining said suit, was being argued orally before him as judge of said court, on the 22d day of October, 1909, respondent noticed that in the courtroom there were present five or six attorneys for the defendant United Railways Company, although that company was not a party to said proceedings, all of which attorneys are connected with the office of the general counsel for the United Railways Company, and this respondent noticed during the proceedings above referred to that great interest was manifested therein by all of said attoneys for the United Railways Company, and this respondent further states that while he had under consideration the motion which had been argued on said 22d day of October, and before he sustained the same as set forth in relator’s petition, he received information from the clerk of said division of said court that one of the attorneys connected with the office of the general counsel for the United Railways Company came to the clerk and made inquiry as to what this respondent had done or was doing in regard to said motion filed by said attorneys as aforesaid.
“This respondent further says that in view of the various allegations contained in the motion filed by said attorneys requesting an inquiry into said cause, particularly the allegations concerning what was shown by the records of the circuit court of the city of St. Louis, and in view of the further fact that this re*543spondent, by reason of long practice at tbe St. Lonis Bar as an attorney, and by reason of his service in said court as judge, had many times noticed that the St. Lonis Transit Company and United Railways Company of St. Louis were accustomed to contest to the highest courts to which such suits could be carried all judgments for any substantial sum of money, particularly for so large a sum as five thousand dollars, and in view of the fact that it was shown to him by the motion of said attorneys that the records of the circuit court of the city of St. Louis reveal the fact that while a motion for a new trial and a motion in arrest of judgment in the Miller case were pending and before they had even been ruled upon by the circuit court, the St. Louis Transit Company, through its counsel, voluntarily withdrew said motions, thereby precluding itself from an appeal to the Supreme Court in said cause, although its usual custom was to appeal all such cases, and in view of the information conveyed in the motion filed by said attorneys to the effect that such action on the part of said St. Louis Transit Company in withdrawing said motion at said time occurred only five days after said Miller judgment was assigned to the said Albert B. Chandler, and in view of the information contained in said motion filed by said attorneys, which showed that the said Chandler had apparently by his acts repeatedly sought to avoid every court that had decided in favor of his contention or supposed contention in his case, the court’s suspicions were aroused. Respondent’s suspicions were further strengthened bv the appearance, manner and conduct of said Albert B. Chandler when respondent was questioning him while he was upon the witness stand on said 22d day of October, 1909, on the occasion above referred to, and respondent, while considering said motion, also recalled the fact that the United Railways Company had consented that said Chandler, after the evidence had all been heard in his case against the United Railways *544Company, might amend his petition by interlineation by joining another cause of action on a judgment for four thousand dollars, obtained by one Augusta Ruhke against the St. Louis Transit Company, thereby raising the amount of the petition to nine thousand dollars and thereby precluding the possibility of his case going to the St. Louis Court of Appeals, which only a short time before such action was taken by him had decided in favor of his contention by affirming the case of Barrie against the United Railways Company, which is reported in 138 Mo. App. This action of the United Railways Company in voluntarily consenting to facilitate a plaintiff in trying' a case involving four thousand dollars and dispensing with the whole trial of such a case by simply amending his petition by interlineation and tacking that case onto another suit which had been tried, seemed to respondent so very unusual and contrary to the practice of the said United Railways Company, whose usual practice is to contest vigorously all important claims involving anything like four thousand dollars, that such circumstances further aroused the suspicion of the respondent. All the above-mentioned circumstances, when taken into consideration by the respondent while considering said motion, convinced him that the interest of justice demanded that he should make an investigation as to whether this case was being conducted in good faith, or whether the said Albert B. Chandler and the United Railways Company of St. Louis were acting in concert and not in opposition to each other, in harmony and not engaging in a real controversy in a suit pending before him. Therefore desiring that all cases pending in his court should have a fair and impartial hearing, that the interest of justice might be met, and that litigants should have their rights, and desiring to preserve the dignity of the court over which he presided as such judge, the respondent made the order appointing Charles W. Bates, Esq., commissioner to make an iriyegtigation. *545into the good faith of said cause, as set forth in relator’s petition filed herein.
“Eespondent further states that by reason of the condition of the matters pending in Division No. 6 of the circuit court, over which he presided at the-times mentioned, it was impracticable for him to consume the time necessary to hear the numerous witnesses and take the evidence required, to the end that a thorough judicial investigation of said charge might be made, without neglecting important matters pending before him which demanded immediate attention, and therefore respondent instead of conducting said investigation himself appointed said commissioner to perform the service designated. As a further reason for the selection of said commissioner, respondent respectfully directs the attention of this Honorable Court to the fact that, under the law governing the circuit court of the Eighth Judicial Circuit of Missouri, assignments of the judges of said court are made from time to time, as required by the general term of said court, to the respective divisions of said court; that said court, as at present constituted, consists of twelve divisions, namely, nine civil and three criminal; that Division No. 6 is a civil division of said court; that when the matter above mentioned was pending, this respondent had been assigned by said general term to preside over Division No. 12, to try criminal cases, for a period of eighteen months, his service in said criminal division to commence on the first Monday in January, 1910; that at the times above mentioned the whole time of this respondent was required to be devoted to the numerous cases pending in said civil division, No. 6, so that those partly heard might be completed before said first Monday in January, 1910, and that the entire business of said Division No. 6 might be in reasonably good condition for respondent’s successor in said division on said first Monday in January, *5461910. And this respondent says that in making such order he verily believed, and still believes, that he was proceeding in the proper exercise of his jurisdiction as judge of said court, which jurisdiction was conferred upon him by the Constitution and laws of this State, and he believes that there is no valid reason in law why the rule heretofore made upon him should be made absolute.
“Kespondent further states that he is ready and willing at all times to obey the orders and conform to the command of this Honorable Court; that he has proceeded no further in said matter since being served with the writ of prohibition in this case and will proceed no further until permitted so to do by the order of this Honorable Court.
“Wherefore, respondent prays to be hence dismissed with his costs, and that said writ should not be made absolute.”
I. A motion for judgment, while not technically a demurrer,-has elements common to one — one of them that the issue is at law. Hence, well-pleaded averments of fact in the return are taken as true, if not absurd or impossible — the challenge being to their sufficiency at law.
. Counsel radically differ on the scope and purpose .of interveners’ motion in the equity suit. For relator it is insisted the proceeding looked to his punishment for an indirect criminal contempt, and was, in effect, a contempt proceeding. In that view of it, comment is made on the absence of an affidavit to the motion, its lack of certainty in specific averments of fact, on its dealing with mere suggestions, on the fact that relator was cited to show cause and thereupon made his return on oath fully purging himself of contempt by showing good faith. On such premises, counsel argues that under settled practice in proceedings for constructive contempts of a criminal nature, on relator’s purg*547ing return coming in with no countervailing affidavits filed, the end of the row below was reached, and further inquiry was shut off. Therefore, the order looking to further inquiry was without jurisdiction. Contra, respondent’s counsel insist that the proceeding was not one in contempt at all. In the contingency the court ultimately found the suit fictitious, he concedes such finding might be the basis of or provoke another proceeding, vis., a formal charge, citation and trial for contempt — but only in ease the court of its own motion then determined to take that course. He insists that the primary object and due office of the motion was to incite an inquiry into the facts and to have the suit dismissed if, on such inquiry, the fact be found to be that Railways Company was the beneficial owner of the judgments and (through collusion with relator) as dominus litis was prosecuting a feigned suit, not a real controversy — one likely (or intended) to affect the interest of third parties.
On a review of the proceeding below, my conclusion is that it was not one in contempt, eo nomine or in fact. This, because: There was no affidavit charging contempt of court made or filed, and no citation to show cause for indirect contempt nor any citation at all, as required by common and statute law, nor was there any hearing as for contempt. To the contrary, the court refused to have interveners’ motion verified, refused to allow other affidavits or present examination of witnesses ore tenus, entered no judgment discharging or punishing relator, but merely made an interlocutory order looking to an investigation of the bare facts and a presentation of the evidence (not by ex parte affidavit, but) by testimony. Relator appeared without any citation or order to show cause and, moving to strike out interveners’ motion, voluntarily abandoned his motion to strike out and filed a pleading containing suggestions against making an order of investigation. These suggestions, partly averments of fact and *548partly argumentative, were under oath. In effect the answer or so called return was but an ex parte affidavit directed to the motion. Relator offered to file others, but the court, as said, concluded to have testimony taken.
To get at the gist of the matter we must gather the purpose of the proceeding from the motion and order. The motion was on behalf of certain parties who insisted their rights as holders of other judgments would be jeopardized by a feigned controversy and they asked the court in the interest of a proper administration of the law to appoint a commissioner to investigate the purchase and ownership of the Miller and Kubke judgments and the steps taken in the equity suit, to the end that its good faith be ascertained. So far the motion went, and stopped with that request. It informed the court of certain facts which, in the minds of movents, indicated a simulated suit intended and calculated to affect their rights in other litigation. Movents were enrolled attorneys, rectus in curia. Let it be assumed relator is entitled to the same standing. The court took cognizance of the matter and made an order in terms looking only to an investigation of good faith, the order stopping there. It made no order as in a contempt proceeding, but appointed a commissioner to take testimony, find the facts and report finding and evidence for the use of the court. Whether it had power to make an order to ascertain whether a pending suit involved feigned or a real controversy, at the instigation of third parties whose rights may be affected, we will presently see.
My notion is the proceeding was not a contempt proceeding and therefore the excellent points of learning discussed by learned counsel, distinguishing a proceeding in civil contempt from criminal contempt, and between contempts in equity and at law, are afield.
That under given circumstances it is a punishable contempt to foist upon a court a feigned controversy, *549one covinonsly, i. e., collusively, contrived, whereby its time and the public money (mortgaged to justice) are frittered away, or real and honest litigation by third parties may be affected by a ruling in such case, made up for ulterior purposes only, is true. [Smith v. Railroad, 29 Ind. l. c. 550-1; Lord v. Veazie, 8 How. (U. S.) l. c. 255,]
But there is another result, vis., the dismissal of the suit, as will presently appear, and toward that end the motion and order headed, if the facts, when ascertained, allow. Therefore to apply the learning of the books relating to pleading in contempt cases, as relator seeks to do, is out of place at this stage of the matter. To say that under the pleadings as they stood below the court could not fine or imprison relator for contempt, therefore the court could not investigate to see if the suit should be dismissed, is a palpable non sequitur.
II. As I grasp the run of the argument of learned counsel, he contends further that relator was within his clear legal right in amending his pleadings so that the amount in dispute would be large enough to invoke the judgment of this court, in case either he or defendant was put to an appeal in the equity suit; and that the purpose and effect of the motion and order were to deny him the exercise of such clear right, in other words, are hostile to our jurisdiction hy showing a friendliness or predisposition to the jurisdiction of our learned brethren of the St. Louis Court of Appeals. The matter is thus put to us somewhat in an ad hominem or personal way as if we had occasion to protect the ancient and plenary jurisdiction of this court and keep open the road to appeal here. But should we not be grounded in the belief that no court in this State would be so false to itself as to purpose thwarting or clipping away our jurisdiction or diverting it, regardless of the plain ordinances of the Constitution and *550laws? Should we not believe furthermore, that all judges know that chaos and scandal would result if the constitutional orbits of the jurisdiction of courts were not preserved, and if they did not move in them har-moniously? Therefore,. we should not be hurried in any case into issuing a writ of prohibition on the theory that such sinister purpose exists nisi, unless the facts bear no other reasonable construction, nor should we part, as in a panic, with our stock in the belief that nisi prius judges are actuated by as exalted motives as the members of this bench. We bear full witness to their fidelity to high ideals in fearless administration of the law. They stand charged, as sentinels, with the primary duty of keeping the stream of justice pure at its source. It is to their honor that they keep faithful watch and ward, and, as I see it, there is nothing in this record tending to show respondent is not alive to his duty and responsibility. What occasion have we to fear that he will dismiss a cause merely because the amount in dispute was made by amendment large enough to give us jurisdiction, or because the issues were made up in a friendly way so long as the controversy is a real and not a feigned one and the suit is not substantially in the control of one of the parties litigant? What occasion is there under his return to say that Judge McQuillin is about to act on the fear we will subvert justice by deciding against equity and good conscience and is seeking to keep from us a case belonging here? None whatever. Doubtless when possessed of the facts, he will rightly determine whether the case is a fictitious one, dominated by one party, brought on judgments owned by defendant, arranged so that his or our decision may injuriously affect the just rights of other litigants, or is an honest fighting lawsuit with two sides, honestly conducted to determine relator’s right to a judgment below as well as above.
*551The ease permits further observations, since the writ is a discretionary one. For instance it is not clear how allowing a writ to go would preserve the integrity of our jurisdiction any more than by discharging the preliminary rule and denying the writ. The amount in dispute being within our jurisdiction the case gets here either way. - On the one hand, if the writ go and the investigation stop, the case will come here on an appeal if a judgment below follow and an appeal is taken. On the other hand, if the writ is denied and the suit is dismissed presently by respondent because of facts found by the investigation, an appeal lies to this court and any error in such dismissal can be cured. Moreover, if the writ is denied and on investigation the court find in favor of good faith, an appeal lies here from the final judgment, if one is taken on the merits.
The case at this point allows an hypothesis, vis., suppose the writ be awarded, the investigation nisi stopped, and on appeal a suggestion is made at our bar by reputable officers of this court, attorneys enrolled here, that the suit is fictitious, for ulterior purposes and with one party as its master, what then? Is it conceivable that we are so poor in power and dead to duty that we cannot or would not investigate so serious a charge? Such right, lodged in this court, is inherent and unquestioned. [See authorities, infra.] If, then, an investigation is proper it should go on where it can be most conveniently made and where justice can be most speedily done. Being tried in the fire of a searching investigation the gold of a bona fide lawsuit will stand out with more luster, if it is there.
III. The main question is: Did the court have jurisdiction to make the order? The exposition of this phase of the matter involves ascertaining whether such order accords with good practice, and whether the condition of things indicated by the motion, order *552and the return of respondent justified starting and continuing’ the investigation. These questions are related and may he disposed of together.
Under our statute (sec. 793) parties are encouraged to submit a case on questions of difference, the subject of a civil action, without suit, on an agreed case containing the facts upon which the controversy depends, provided it is shown to be real and in good faith. We refer to that statute as a recognition of the necessity of a real controversy as contradistinguished from one only seemingly so.
A review of some of the cases will elucidate the point in hand. Thus:
Judson v. Flushing Jockey Club, 36 N. Y. Supp. 126, involved the constitutionality of a law. It came up on appeal to the general term. When reached on the calendar counsel bn both sides announced “ready,” whereupon members of the bar in behalf of interests not apparent upon the record, but involved in the decision, objected to the argument of the appeal on the ground that the action was fictitious litigation contrived and presented to procure a decision on a question not actually in controversy between real contestants, but framed and propounded by a person who in fact was both plaintiff and defendant. We infer the objection was oral. On that objection it was, by a “per curiam,” ruled as follows:
“Courts of judicature are organized only to decide real controversies between actual litigants. When, therefore, it appears, no matter how nor at what stage, that a pretended action is not a genuine litigation over a contested right between opposing parties, but is merely the proffer of a simulated issue by a person dominating both sides of the record, the court, from a sense of its own dignity, as well as from regard to the public interests, will decline a determination of the fabricated case so fraudulently imposed upon it.
*553“If we may not accept the assurance of reputable members of the bar as proof that the action is a false and fictitious litigation, their statement suffices, at all events, for a postponement of the decision until the court shall be satisfied that it has to do with a legitimate forensic discussion. According to the precedents, we manj so ascertain either by the record, by affidavits, or by a reference. The last-named expedient we adopt as the more effective method of investigation.” •
Subsequently, on the report of the referee coming in that the controversy was fictitious, the suit was dismissed. [Ibid, p. 128.]
Lord v. Veazie, 8 How. U. S. 251, was pending in the Supreme Court of the United States on a writ of error from the circuit court for the district of Maine. Mr. Moor, counsel for a bank not a party, moved to dismiss because the case was a fictitious one got up between the parties to settle legal questions upon which his client had a large amount of property depending. Documents and affidavits were filed in support of the motion. The principal affidavit by Moor stated “his belief ” that the case was feigned and intended to affect his, Moor’s, rights. Affidavits were filed against the motion. It was ruled that the proceeding was fictitious and the judgment would not support a writ of error. Accordingly, it was dismissed, the order of dismissal in part reading:
“This cause came on to. be heard on the transcript of the record from the circuit court of the United States for the district of Maine, and was argued by counsel, and it appearing to the court here, from the ■ affidavit and other evidence filed in the case by Mr, Moor, in behalf of third persons not parties to this suit, that there is no real dispute between the plaintiff and defendant in this suit, but, on the contrary, that their interest is one and the same, and is adverse to the interests of the persons aforesaid, it is the opinion of this court, that the judgment of the circuit court *554entered pro forma in this case is a nullity and void, and that no writ of error will lie upon it. ’ ’
In leading up' to such order Chief Justice Taney pointed out the distinction between the conduct of a suit in an amicable manner without the parties embarrassing each other with unnecessary forms or technicalities and by admitting facts known to be true without proof, expense or delay, where there are real adverse interests and where the amity consists in the manner in which the suit is brought to issue before the court (which amicable actions are approved and encouraged by courts because they facilitate the administration of justice), and those suits that are fictitious in fact, conducted by persons who have no real conflict in interest and whose common interest is adverse to and in conflict with the interests of third persons having rights seriously affected, if the question of law be decided in the manner both parties desire it to be.
In another case in the same court, Dubuque and Pacific Railroad Co. v. Litchfield, 23 How., 66, Jeremiah S. Black, then Attorney-General, intervened on behalf of the Government suggesting the suit was a fictitious one to construe a grant of land contrary to a prior executive construction. We do not find there were any pleadings or affidavits filed by Mr. Black. He filed a brief raising the point and relied on the facts disclosed by the record. His suggestions were denominated by Mr. Justice Catron as an “imputation of contrivance.” The parties to the litigation and their counsel thereupon filed affidavits and statements. The court, while ruling against the point of the Attorney-General, took cognizance of the matter and passed upon the good faith of the litigation.
In Wood-Paper Co. v. Heft, 8 Wall. (U. S.) 333, a motion was interposed on appeal by Mr. Meach. He asked leave to intervene on an allegation that since the decree below the case had been settled and was *555now being carried on without appellee having’ any interest in the defense and to obtain a decree above in favor of complainants in order to influence other suits pending below in their favor against strangers to the suit, and in which the same questions were involved, in one of which suits intervener was a defendant. The application of Meach was allowed and a commission issued to take proofs in the matter. On these proofs coming in a motion to dismiss was argued and the suit dismissed — the court commenting on the fact that complainants had purchased certain patents under which the suits were being defended and now owned both sides of the litigation.
Cleveland v. Chamberlain, 1 Black 419, was in the same court on appeal. A railroad company, through Jeremiah S. Black, filed affidavits and asked that the case be dismissed on the ground that Chamberlain was the only party on the record who had an interest in the cause either way, that he was conducting the appeal on both sides, and that other parties, not named in the record, would suffer by the decree which he might thus procure to be made. It appearing that Chamberlain had bought the debt demanded by Cleveland in his bill, after the decree, and was carrying on a pretended controversy on a record made up below to obtain a decision injurious to the rights and interests of third parties, the cause was dismissed. It was held that any attempt by a mere colorable dispute to obtain the opinion of the court upon a question of law, which a party desires to know for his own interest or his own purposes, when there is no real and substantial controversy between those who appear as the adverse parties to the suit was an abuse which courts of justice have always reprehended.
In Ward v. Alsup, 109 Tenn. l. c. 743, it was held that “a suit may be shown to be fictitious by the record, or by evidence aliunde, or both. ... Or upon affidavits of third persons. ... Or the case *556may be referred to tbe clerk for proof” — citing authorities for each proposition. The case was an appeal from the chancery court of Shelby county. In the Supreme Court a motion was. filed by “reputable attorneys,” amici curiae, to dismiss because it was a sham action eolorably instituted to obtain a decision on a feigned issue for the purpose of determining a question of law which may affect other parties not impleaded who are litigating similar questions in another court. In ruling on that motion and the counter-affidavits filed it was determined that the bill had been-properly dismissed below because of matters appearing on the face of the record. Therefore, there was ho necessity for dismissing the suit on the motion of the amici curiae. But such motion was considered fully by Snodgrass, Chief Justice, and many cases reviewed, he concluding as follows:
“Where a sharp issue is presented to this court, by reputable attorneys on both sides, as to whether or'not suits are brought in good faith, or for an ulterior purpose of affecting pending litigation between other parties, this court would not proceed to a hearing of the merits, 'until the preliminary question is fully investigated and determined.”
In Haley v. Bank, 21 Nev. 127, the question is adjudged on principle and authority. In that case a motion was filed below by an officer of the court as amicus curiae (presumably an attorney) to dismiss the action and he tendered affidavits in support. The court permitted the motion. Plaintiff denied the right of counsel to make the motion and excepted to the ruling. At the hearing, by a stipulation, affidavits filed in another interlocutory step in the case were read as evidence so far as pertinent. On appeal it was ruled that a motion of this sort was in the nature of suggestions to the court that the action was not real but fictitious. “WTen,” said Murphy, J., “actions are brought in a court of law, a duty devolves upon *557the judge, and that is, scrupulously to guard' its proceedings from being used by the parties collusively, and not suffer a judgment to be entered without being fully satisfied that a cause of action really exists, as provided for by law.
“Whenever facts are placed before a court, which cause any suspicion that there is any collusion between the parties, %o matter in %ohat way or form the facts are brought to the knowledge of the court, it is the duty of the judge at once to institute such an examination as will satisfy him of the truth or falsity of the charge.” Commenting on certain circumstances and facts, they were characterized as giving “a strange appearance to the mode in which this action was commenced and has been prosecuted, sufficient, in our opinion, to sustain the order of dismissal.” It having been argued that Baker had no right to make the motion, the court ruled on that argument as follows:
“It is not only the right, but the duty, of an attorney of the court, if he knows or has reason to believe that the time of the court is being taken up by the trial of a feigned issue, to so inform the judge thereof; and it is discretionary with the court to stay proceedings, make due inquiry, and, if the facts warrant the suggestion, then dismiss the case.”
In cases collected by Roger Comberbaeh, Esq., argued and adjudged in the Court of King’s Bench from the fifth year of King-James II. to the tenth year of King William III., we find the case of Brewster v. Kitchin (Comb. l. c. 425). In that case Lord Chief Justice Holt directed the tart inquiry to counsel: “Do you bring fob actions to learn the opinion of the court?”
In re Elsam, 3 Barn, and Cress. 597, the court moved in an examination on “a doubt occurring whether the transaction were bona fide.” A master having been appointed in that ease to inquire of cer*558tain facts liis report showed the fictitious character of the suit of Fox v. Dodds.
In other cases the court has adopted the plan of passing a rule requiring the party charged with maintaining a fictitious suit to purge himself by an affidavit showing good faith under pain and penalty of having his ease dismissed. [The People ex rel. v. Leland, 40 Ill. 118; Ebert v. Beedy, 113 Ill. 316.]
It has been ruled that on an “appearance” that the case is fictitious, an investigation will be set on foot and a showing required — e. g., in People ex rel. v. Leland, supra, the order merely recited as ground for an examination that, “This has the appearance of a fictitious case.”
In other cases it has been ruled that a judgment obtained collusively is inoperative. [Girdlestone v. Aquarium Co., 3 Ex. Div. 137.]
On an appeal in which we cannot find the point was made by counsel, but the fact was disclosed to the appellate court by inspecting the record (Meeker v. Straat, 38 Mo. App. 239), Rombauer,, P. J., said:
“This decree cannot stand. Suits contemplate adversary parties, although amicable suits may be brought to determine the respective rights of the parties thereto. When a suit is brought with a view of affecting the rights of third parties, and it is apparent that that is its sole object, the suit ceases to be adversary and becomes collusive. No court should lend its aid to such a proceeding, least of all a court of equity. ’ ’
We are not cited to any case in this court where the precise question was in judgment. But we have ruled that where an appellant had paid the judgment, or discharged a joint tortfeasor by accepting satisfaction from him, or had accepted an award which had the legal effect of settlement, so there is no longer a real controversy, the issue was “killed” for appellate purposes, and we would proceed no further with the *559case. See authorities collected by Gantt, C. J., in Cape Girardeau and Thebes Br. Term. R. R. Co. v. Southern Ill. and Mo. Br. Co., 215 Mo. l. c. 296 et seq.
From these eases the following propositions are deduced:
(a) . When suggestions are made either below, or on appeal, by reputable attorneys impugning the good faith of an action for that it is conducted for the ulterior purpose of affecting other real litigation, or has substantial earmarks of being in any other respect a feigned suit, then a judicial duty arises to investigate.
(b) . The form or the time of the suggestions is not of substance, so long as they come from a reputable source and are in time to effect a remedy, should an investigation call for one.
(c) . So, the court, sua sponte, at any time while a case is in the bosom of the law (in gremio legis), from facts appearing in its history may order an examination into its good faith — this, without the intervention of attorneys, amici curiae, or otherwise.
(d) . The suggestions possibly may be made orally at the bar, certainly by briefs. But the better and usual practice is to make them in a writing filed. They ■ may be verified or supported by affidavits, or be verified alone by the honor of counsel making them, or stand on the sanction of the attorneys’ oath of office — this, as the court in the exercise of a sound judicial discretion may direct or allow.
(e) . The suggestions may be by counsel acting in the interest of third parties whose rights in other litigation are in danger from a made-up and' fictitious-case, or by counsel acting strictly as friends of the court.
(f) . It may be enough to warrant an investigation that the suggestions show the appearance of a feigned issue, and the ultimate facts establishing good *560faith or the lack of it may await the result of an examination directed by the court.
(g). The facts may he got at by affidavits and counter-affidavits, or by hearing witnesses at the bar, or by a reference to a master or commissioner to take testimony and report — the method to be directed by the court as may appear just and proper under the circumstances of the particular case and the condition of the docket.
Obviously the truth might never come out from its secret places if the procedure were to be limited to mere voluntary ex parte affidavits. Obviously an enormous delay and burden would be put upon the trial court, interfering with its time morb gaged to other judicial duties, if a hearing ore terms was the only alternative. Obviously a reference. to a master, or commissioner is in accordance with the usage of courts if that course accords with the good sense of the thing. The maxims are; What is just and-right is the law of laws; Custom is the best expounder of the law; The practice of the court is the law of the court (Cursus curiae est lex curiae). We had occasion to investigate a kindred matter, to-wit, the appointment of a commissioner to take testimony on a motion for a new trial (Devoy v. Transit Co., 192 Mo. l. c. 221), and refused to rule that the court did not have an inherent right to appoint a commissioner under extraordinary circumstances appealing to his discretion.
Based on such premises, we should rule there was jurisdiction to make the investigation. It would be a dangerous precedent to rule otherwise. For obvious reasons we should not indicate our views on the grounds. It may with propriety be said, in passing, that some of them standing alone would not justify a finding of a feigned suit — -for instance, the presence and interest of lawyers for Railways Company and Transit Company at the hearing of the motion, or the *561mere fact that by amendment the appeal was headed toward this court. But the suggestions are grave enough in other particulars, taken as a whole, to warrant going to the bottom of the matter to find if defendant Eailways Company is the beneficial owner of the judgment and if the suit is being controlled in its interest. The mere fact that relator filed an affidavit and that none was filed on the other side should not, of its own vigor, stop the investigation at that point, under the offer made by counsel to file counter-affidavits and the desire of the court, in the state of its docket, to have a different method of investigation.
I voted for the preliminary rule to show cause. My predilections were in favor of a writ, but my study of the authorities and the very reason of the thing have persuaded me to my present conclusion that the writ should be denied and the preliminary rule discharged. I regret to differ from my learned brethren, but am constrained for the reasons given above to do so.