Court Opinion

ID: 5197896
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-06 15:46:23.03203+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:27:08.751029
License: Public Domain

Ingraham, J.:
The learned judge at Special Term recognizing the extraordinary character of this action came to the conclusion that while he would be inclined in an action at law to apply the strict rules of pleading in an equity case of the extraordinary character of file case here presented, in view of-the inherent difficulties necessarily involved in the presentation of the case, he deemed it a better and safér practice to remit the consideration of the questions presented upon *139the motion then before him to the deliberate action -of the trial justice, before whom all the facts would be unfolded. I am inclined to think that he was right in so far as this applies to the allegations of the complaint which relate to the relations between the various defendants and which bore upon the scheme adopted by them resulting in the wrongs for which the plaintiff seeks to hold these defendants liable; but giving the plaintiff the full benefit of this conclusion, there are certain allegations of this complaint that can have no possible bearing upon the combination between these defendants or, if they have any relation at all, it would be an allegation of evidence to(prove the general allegations of a conspiracy or combination between the defendants. Thus, the 8th paragraph of the complaint, alléging the organization of The Globe Security Company and the Equitable 'National Bank, seems to be of no possible relevancy. The 12tli paragraph seems to be also irrelevant. At most the facts alleged might be proved as tending to establish the relations that existed between Bothschild and the appellant Frank,.but are entirely out of place in a .complaint. The same ■ applies to paragraphs 12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20. Paragraph 38 is also irrelevant. Paragraphs 39, 42 and 43, while irregular in form, contain some allegations of fact which may be relevant: I think it is improper to allege in a pleading the fact that Bothschild kept a ledger account .of transactions with Frank in a small book which he designated as liis private ledger,-and what Frank did as a witness before a referee in another action and his testimony as to these books. While it is possible that some of these facts might be competent evidence upon the trial, they are improper in a pleading.
Fly conclusion is that the order appealed from should be reversed, with ten dollars costs and disbursements of this appeal, and the-motion granted to the extent of striking out paragraphs 8, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 38, 39, 42 and 43, with ten dollars costs, the plaintiff to have leave to serve an amended complaint.
O’Brien, P. J., McLaughlin, Laughlin and Clarke, JJ. concurred.
Order reversed,, with ten dollars-costs and disbursements, and. motion granted to the extent stated in opinion, with ten dollars costs, with leave to plaintiff to serve amended complaint.