Court Opinion

ID: 8057032
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-09 04:33:38.042129+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:37:52.995742
License: Public Domain

Hornblower, C. J.
By the Slst section of the state Rev. *171laws, 786, it is enacted, “That it shall be lawful for the court to whom any account is reported for allowance, or for the auditors to whom an account is referred, at the instance of any party interested in the same, or by their own proper authority, to examine any executor, administrator, guardian, or trustee, exhibiting such account, on oath or affirmation, touching the truth and fairness of the same, or any part or item thereof.”
The authority given to the court, by this enactment, is broad and unqualified : they, may, either ex mero moin, or at the instance of any party in interest, examine the accountant under oath. Nor is it a simple authority, which the court may or may not exercise at their discretion, when called upon to do so, by a party in interest. The words, “it shall ho lawful for the court,” are equivalent to saying, “ the court may j” and “may” is held to be imperative, where third persons have an interest in the application of the power. (Newburgh Turnpike Company v. Miller, 5 Johns. Ch. R. 112, 113.) In the case of The King v. Barlow, (2 Salk. 609,) the churcli-wardens were indicted for not making a rate or assessment, under the Stat. of 14 Car. II. ch. 12. sec. 18, for the re-imhursement of some constables. The statute says, they “shall have power and authority to make a rate,” and it was construed to be peremptory, as the constables had an Interest in the exercise of the power. The court of K. B. said in that case, that the word “ may” shall be taken to be mandatory, where the thing to be done, is for the sake of Justice, or the public good. Surely it is for the sake of Justice, to widows and orphans, that this authority is given to the court. The examination, however, must be a lawful one : it must be, “touching the truth and fairness” of the account in general, or of some part or item thereof | and upon the general inquiry, omissions may be inquired into, as well as the correctness of charges and discharges inserted in the account; and the court must decide upon the legality of the questions propounded to the accountant. Hence, it becomes necessary to inquire what were the matters about Which it was proposed to examine these defendants. It was alleged, on the part of the exceptants, that the administrators had not charged themselves, either in the inventory, or acconnt, with a debt due from one of them to the estate of their intestate; and it was proposed to examine each of them, touching that matter. *172The court overruled the application, and refused to permit either of theta to be examined.
In support of that decision, it is now argued — 1st. That Peter Davison, being himself one of the next of kin, and entitled to a distributive share, could not be examined as a witness, or in any other manner, for the purpose of proving the indebtedness of his brother, and thus increasing the fund for distribution between himself and others : and 2diy. That the court had no right to compel Richard Davison to testify against his own interest. I do not see but these exceptions, if well taken, have repealed the statute : but let us examine them separately; and first, as to Peter. He is,an administrator : the Statute says, he may be examined, touching the truth and fairness of the account: but for what purpose ? Parties in interest will not be likely to put him under oath for the purpose of shewing errors or omissions, the correction of which, will lessen his liabilities, and decrease the fend: their object will generally be-of an opposite character; and by appeals to bis own conscience, to charge hi in more extensively, than he has charged himself; hut then comes the objection ; you are going to make him swear against his interest. He then is as much protected from this searching operation, as Richard is; for I can see no difference between asking an administrator whether he has given credit for all th,c assets that have come to his hands, and asking him whether he was not indebted to the intestate at the time of his death. The object of both questions is, to surcharge the account, and increase the fund.
But again : Peter cannot be examined for the purpose of proving the indebtedness of Richard, because he has a direct interest in doing so. Let us see what this leads to. The point of the objection is, that he-has an interest in increasing the fund ; and if this is a valid objection, I do not see to what matter he may be examined, unless it be for the purpose of decreasing the fund. You cannot ask him whether his co-administrator did not receive one hundred dollars belonging to the estate, from A or TB, which by design or mistake he has omitted to credit, because that goes to charge his co-administrator, and increase the fund. You cannot ask him whether he did not himself receive moneys belonging to the estate, which he has not credited, because that goes to increase his co-administrator’s responsibility to the next of kir% *173or to creditors. For precisely the same reason, you cannot ask any question, or obtain any discovery from one administrator, in the most indirect and incidental manner, the effect of which may be to surcharge their account, or lessen their claims upon the estate ; because it increases the responsibility of his co-administrator.
it comes then to this: If there is only one administrator, you cannot examine him for the purpose of surcharging his account, because that is compelling him to swear against his own interest. If there are two or more administrators, you cannot examine one of them, to prove, or to discover assets in the hands of the other, unaccounted for, because that is not only making one a witness against the other, but increasing the fund out of which, distribution is to be made, and commissions paid. By this time, the Statute is pretty effectually repealed. The objections, when followed out in practical application, would go the whole length of doing so. Suppose Peter had in his possession, or knew who had, the bond or other security, or voucher, given by Richard to the intestate, for the money in question, he could not, if these objections are valid, be enquired of concerning it. He might say, your object is to charge the administrators with the money, and that will increase my responsibility ; and Richard might interpose and say, you shall not examine Peter concerning that matter, for he has a direct interest in increasing the distributive fund, and cannot be a witness for any such purpose.
But if the court was right in refusing the examination of Peter, upon the ground of interest, it remains to enquire how their refusal to permit the exceptants to examine Richard himself, touching his indebtedness to the estate, can bo justified. In one part of the argument, we were told, that he could not be compelled to testify or make disclosures against his own interest; but counsel finally admitted, that an administrator might be examined at the instance of an exceptant, for the purpose of charging himself, as to Ms receipts and disbursements. It cannot be then, on the ground of his not being liable to be examined as to matters against his own interest: for surely he has as much interest, in concealing the amount of assets he has received, or swelling the amount of disbursements he has made, as he has in concealing his own indebtedness to the estate. They all go di*174jpectly to affect his purse. Besides, a debt due from an administrator to his intestate, is as truly and legally, assets in his hands, to he administered, as so much money received by him, from any other debtor.
Bat after all, the great and conclusive answer to all these objections is, that the statute wisely subjects administrators to this ordeal j and the defendant Richard, has voluntarily taken upon liimself that office, and thereby with his eyes open, placed himself iu a situation in which he may be called upon to answer under oath, as to the accounts and dealings between him and the intestate. And as the Statute authorises every administrator to be examined touching all he knows about the estate, and who are its debtors, and who its creditors, these defendants, by voluntarily associating themselves with each other in this administration, have exposed themselves to all the developements, that each, not as witnesses, but as joint accountants, may be compelled to make «nder oath, in relation to the situation of the estate. As to the effect, or influence the answers are to have upon the rights of the parties, that is a question for the consideration of the court before which the account is to be settled.
But the counsel for the defendants rely upon a more plausible and ingenious argument, drawn from the provisions of the 21st and 33d sections of the act, (R. L. 782 and 787,) by the former of which, it is enacted among other things, that “ wherever disputes arise, respecting the existence of a will, the fairness of “ an inventory, or the right of administration, the surrogate “ shall issue citations,” &c., and, “the cause shall be heard in 65 a summary way, by the Judges of the” (Orphans’) “Court,. t( subject to an appeal to the Prerogative Court,” &c. And by .the latter of which sections, the remedy by certiorari to this court, is taken away, in all cases in which an appeal is given from the Orphans’, to the Prerogative court,
The argument is this : that as. this debt from- Richard to the intestate, existed at the death of the intestate, it was assets in the hands of the administrators immediately: that it ought, therefore, to have been included in the inventory; and if it was not, that the exceptants or other parties in interest, ought to have raised a dispute about it then, so that citations might have been 'issued, and the matter settled by the- Orphans’ Court, subject to *175an appeal to the Prerogative court: that it is now too late, and that if this court hold jurisdiction of the matter, there will be two tribunals exercising a jurisdiction over the inventory.
That the legislature, by the provisions of the 21st section, intended to make the inventory final and conclusive as to the amount of assets, existing at tiie death of the intestate, unless excepted to, and brought distinctly before the Orphans’ Court for adjudication, before the final settlement of the account, is a proposition, I cannot accede to, in the absence of clearer enactments to that effect, than are to be found in the Statute. Inventories are generally made in haste j in the hour of family affliction and distress : often by those least acquainted with the affairs of the deceased, and when those most deeply interested, the widow and orphans, are ignorant of their rights, or incapable of looking after them. Parties interested in an estate, even if adult, and capable of guarding their rights, seldom think of examining the inventory, and rely upon proper investigations on the final settlement. Nevertheless it was proper to give an opportunity to creditors, legatees ami next of kin to object to the inventory, if they were dissatisfied with if, and to provide a tribunal to hear and settle the dispute, without waiting for the final account to come in.
According to the decisions of the court of K. B. the Ecclesiastical Courts have no right, after an inventory has been exhibited, to entertain any objections to it. (2 Williams on Execrs. 645, Phil. ed: and cases therecited.) But the Prerogative court of Canterbury, and the K. E. are at variance on this point (Id. 1265.) | and without some provision like that in our statute, there would have been no way in which an unfair or insufficient inventory, could have been corrected, however unsatisfactory to parties in interest, until the administrator could be cited to account. 1 have no doubt, the provision in our statute, was introduced to meet this difficulty ; and I have as little doubt, that if an inventory is excepted to in any particular, and that exception lias been heard and finally settled by the Orphans’ Court, or on appeal to the Ordinary, it will be conclusive' as to that particular upon all parties, and cannot be re-examined into, upon exceptions to the final account. But any matter which has not been the subject of previous adjudication, may bo enquired into, on the hearing *176of the final account, and either added to or deducted from the amount of the inventory, as the truth and justice of the case may require.
My opinion is that the decree of the Orphans’ Court must be reversed and set aside, and that the record and account be remitted to that court, to bo proceeded upon according to law.
Ford, J.
Richard Davison and Peter Davison, Administrators of John Davison, deceased, having in the Orphans’ Court of Monmouth county, filed their account, and John Davison and others nest of kin to the intestate, having taken exceptions thereto, the account and exceptions were referred to auditors. The intestate in his life-time, was supposed to have lent to his son Richard Davison, one of the administrators, a large sum of money, which was still due and owing at the intestate’s death, and it became a principal exception, that this debt was not charged in the account, as assets of the estate. The inventory did not shew it, and at the instance of the parties interested, the auditors examined Peter Davison, one of the administrators, on oath, (though opposed) touching this matter; and on information so derived from him,charged the administrators for it, to the amount of eight hundred and twenty-six dollars and ten cents. The administrators afterward took exceptions to the report of the auditors, which brought the same matter to a hearing before the Orphans’ Court, when the parties interested, prayed that Peter JDavison the administrator, might be examined on oath, to this matter, but the court after argument, refused the request: and in like manner refused to examine Richard Davison on oath, to this matter; and the court having then no proof of the debt, caused it to be struck out of the account. Upon a certiorari which brings up that decree, there are assigned two principal errors.- first, that the court refused to examine Peter Davison on oath ; secondly, that they refused to examine Richard Davison.
The 31st section of the Act (Rev. Laws,786,) provides: “That it shall be lawful for the Orphans’ Court, at the instance of any párty interested in the account, or by their own proper authority, to examine any administrator exhibiting such account, on oath or affirmation, touching the truth and fairness of the same.” *177This examination is in the place of a bill in equity, for discovery, answering the ends of it, yet free from the expenses and delay of onc$ and in every view should be fully supported j but at the same time ought never to be perverted. Now, suppose Petes* Davison believed or even knew of the money being lent by the intestate in his life-time, to Richard Davison ; but had neither voucher nor witness by whom it could be proved, it would he ho legal ground for charging the money to either of them.— It could justify ao charge against Peter, for assets that never came to his hands | neither couldho bo chargeable on a devastavit, for neglecting to collect a debt of which there was no sufficient evidence. For though ha might know of the lending, and be willing to swear to the fact, yet being one of the children, and necessarily interested to increase the estate, it would preclude biin from being a competent witness on this point, either at law or in equity. I am therefore of opinion, that the court committed no error in refusing to examine Peter Davison to this matter.
Eat the case is different with respect to Richard Davison. If ho owed the intestate, at his death, a just debt, it was as much assets of the estate, as a debt owing by any other person; and If he had obtained a loan of money, giving no bond, note, or other evidence of it, he might have been compelled to disclose the fact upon oath, on a bill in equity, for discovery , and if he confessed the fact, he would have been decreed to account- for it as assets In his hands. But without any of the delay or expenses of a bill in Chancery, the legislature saw that the conscience of an administrator could be tested in an examination on oatSa, as well before the Orphans’ Court, or their auditors, as before the Chancellor or masters of that court, and therefore they added a section for the purpose. What he discloses being taken together, the court could judge whether it established an existing debt or not. If it did so, the debt would be assets in the hands of that administrator, and consequently would be a charge against both of them, as between them and the Ordinary. The appointment gives them a joint office, in which they are bound for one another, to him, to account for all assets that may come to either of their hands ; and it is their own undertaking, for the performance whereof, they gave joint security. If one administrator becomes tearful of the other, he may, as between themselves, cite his com*178panion to account in the Orphans’ Court to Mm, and give security for that part of the assets which came to his hands; but this matter is between themselves. They are both accountable to the Ordinary, for what either has received of the estate.
But it is inquired whether we have any jurisdiction by certiorari, of this matter, supposing there has been an error below; for it relates entirely to the truth and fairness of an inventory; which is to be decided by the surrogate or the Orphans’ Court, subject (Rev. Laws, 782, sec. 21.) to an appeal to the Prerogative Court; and where an appeal is given, no certiorari (by the 33d section) will lie. And by the same section an appeal from the proceedings of the surrogate, • must be made within six months after such proceedings. Now when the surrogate files an inventory, his proceeding in relation to the paper, is closed; he becomes functus officio, and the document belongs to the court. If the truth and fairness of it cannot be enquired into after six months, what is to be the fate of orphans, who had not then attained the age of discretion, perhaps did not know their right hand from their left ? The answer is, that no dispute as to the inventory, had then arisen. The same section provides, that whenever the dispute shall ‘arise, respecting the fairness of an inventory, (whenever means without regard to time) it shall be heard in the Orphans’ Court; now it never arose till the time of final settlement; and the final settlement is reviewable here on certiorari. The Orphans’ Court may inquire into the fairness of an inventory, under this clause in the statute, whenever the question shall arise. And this construction receives from the 20th section, full corroboration, for it provides, that when an account is reported for allowance, the administrator may then be examined on oath, Sl touching fhe truth and fairness of the account, and of every part and item thereof.” Now the inventory is a part and item in every account, and by the terms of the statute, Richard Davison should have been examined by the court, on that final settlement, touching the truth and fairness of every item in the account, if the parties interested required it to be done ; and their refusal to do so, was an error that must occasion a reversal of the decree.
*179Dayton, J.
The 31st sec. of the act upon this subject, Rev. L. 786, gives the Court full power at the instance of any party interrested, to examine the administrator on oath or affirmation, touching the truth and fairness of his account, or any part or item thereof. Whether this section of the act, is to be so construed as to give the Court, merely the power of purging the conscience of the administrator, as to all acts done or omitted to be done by him: or, whether it is to be extended so far as to render one administrator a competent witness against his co-administrator, to prove the existence of a debt to the intestate, which if recovered, he will in whole or in part, put into his own pocket, as next of kin, is the question.
It is a safe rule of construction, that where a statute gives a new authority, or introduces new rules of proceeding, we are not to suppose the legislature intended a departure from fixed principles, further than is clearly shown: and if the language of this act, can be fairly satisfied by the more limited construction, such ought to be given to it. A power to examine and purge the Conscience of the administrator, as to the mode in which he has acquitted himself of his trust, is perhaps necessary for the attainment of justice; and has its origin and analogies in courts proceeding, (as the Orphans’ Court docs) according to the rules of the Civil or Canon law. But to render a party a competent witness, to conclude his co-admistrator upon a question of this kind, where the whole amount recovered, may be coming directly to himself, would be a most dangerous principle, and one which I seriously doubt whether the statute in question ever intended to introduce. Cases innumerable may be imagined, where such a principle might be made an instrument in the perpetration of the most fearful frauds. But the Court not only refused to examine Peter Davison, but .likewise refused to examine Richard himself, and in this I think, there was error.
I. The purpose and object of the act was, as I apprehend, to probe the conscience of the accounting officer. A debt due from him to the estate, has been held assets in hand, so far as to bring the debt within the jurisdiction of the Orphans’ Court. Wood v Executors of Tallman, Coxe R. 155, And there can be no objection in principle to so construing the act, as to make the administrator answer on oath, as to the existence or none existence *180of such debt. At Common law, it may be true, that no man is compelled to testify in his own case; but the rules of proceeding in the Orphans’ Court, are, more analogous to the practice of the Court of Chancery, ■ where this is often done. Besides, he cannot properly complain of an . infringement of his personal rights,for he voluntarily accepts the office of administrator, with his eyes open to all his legal responsibilities; volenti non jit injuria. Nor can it be complained of, as a great hardship, if the administrator be honest; for when called upon to testify as to the fact of his indebtedness, he is really permitted to judge, and testify in his own case.
II. The fact that Richard himself was not offered as a witness hefore'the auditors, does not affect the question. The Orphans’ Court has as much right to hear evidence and examine vouchers not offered before the auditors, as the auditors had to hear evidence or,to examine vouchers not offered before the surrogate. It does not sit as a Court of error merely, but reviews the whole 3awr and facts of the case embraced within the scope of the exceptions filed. It does not merely reverse the previous proceedings, and send the same back, but takes original cognizance of the matter, and re-states the account.
It was argued ingeniously, and with much plausibility, thaj this Court has no jurisdiction of this question; that objection should have been taken at the time of filing the inventory, when the matter would have gone upon appeal to the Ordinary. That it might have been so done, is most true. But many reasons may exist, why it was not so done. The next of kin may have been minors — insane—out of the country, and their rights should certainly not be lost or compromised. The practice has been universal for the Orphans’ Court) on the final settlement of accounts, to add to the debit side thereof, all monies received or debts ascertained subsequent to the date of the inventory. And sound policy requires that the practice be adhered to.
White and Neyius, Justices, concurred with the Ch. Justice.

Decree reversed, and account remitted to the Orphans’ Court.