De Camp v. Thompson

44 N.Y.S. 1014

• Court: Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York
• Decided: April 10, 1897
• Status: Published

Opinion

ADAMS, J.

Three defenses were interposed to this action by the defendants, and the questions which they severally present are relied upon for a reversal of the judgment appealed from. Stated in the order in which we propose to consider them, these defenses are as follows, viz.: (1) That the defendants are entitled to float logs in the North Branch, as a right of way by necessity; (2) that the North Branch of the Moose river and Big SafEord creek are public highways, at common law, for the floating of logs and timber; (3) that the North Branch of Moose river has been declared a public highway by the statutes of this state.

The defendants’ first proposition is based upon the claim that Mrs. De Camp acquired title to part of the land over which the North Branch flows from the same source as Dr. Seward Webb, and that her deed was subsequent in point of time to the deed of Dr. Webb; that there is no other way at present for the defendants to market their lumber, except by floating their logs down the North Branch; and that, consequently, they are entitled to use that stream as a right of way by necessity. In examining the defendants’ elaborate brief, it is quite apparent that but little reliance is placed upon this first proposition, and probably no serious disappointment will result if the same fails to receive favorable consideration. It is sufficient, therefore, to say that, while it would undoubtedly be cheaper and far more convenient for the defendants to float their logs down the waters of the North Branch than to send them to their mill by some different method, it does not appear that there is no other means of getting them there. On the contrary, it is established by evidence which is undisputed that when the defendants bought this timber there was a' railroad in operation upon township 8, by which they shipped their bark, and which must have been equally available for the transportation of their logs. This being the situation, it necessarily disposes of any. claim that the right of way over the stream in question was created by the necessity of the case. We pass, therefore, to the consideration of the defendants’ contention that Big Safford creek and the North Branch of Moose river are public highways at common law.

It is undoubtedly a well-settled principle of law, and one which has for many centuries been incorporated into the common law of England, as well as of this country, from its earliest history, that freshwater streams which are nonnavigable, in the sense that they are not affected by the ebb and flow of the tide, belong to the riparian owners, subject, nevertheless, to a paramount right in the public to use the-same for the transportation of such craft or property as can be floated-upon their waters in their natural state. The distinctions between the rights of the public and those of individuals in fresh-water streams are clearly defined by Sir Matthew Hale in his De. Juri Maris,—a treatise upon this subject which has been invested by more recent writers with a quality of infallibility, and of which it was said by a learned commentator early in the present century that:

“The general distinctions, * * * which at tills day no lawyer will hazard his reputation by controverting, are that rivers not navigable (that is, fresh rivers of what kind soever) do, of common right, belong to the owners of the soil adjacent, to the extent of their land in length, but that rivers where the tide ebbs and flows belong, of common right, to the state. That this ownership of the citizen is of the whole river, viz. the soil and the water of the river, except that in his river, where boats, rafts, etc., may be floated to market, the public have a right of way or easement.” Ex parte Jennings, 6 Cow. 518. . See note, p. 543.

The principle thus enunciated has received frequent recognition, from the courts of this state, and must be regarded as controlling in this case. Palmer v. Mulligan, 3 Caines, 315; Shaw v. Crawford, 10 Johns. 237; Hooker v. Cummings, 20 Johns. 90; Browne v. Scofield, 8 Barb. 239; Morgan v. King, 35 N. Y. 459; Town of Pierrepont v. Loveless, 72 N. Y. 211. But it is to be observed that the easement which the public has in streams of this character is limited to their navigable capacity. If the waters in their natural condition are sufficient in capacity and quantity to accommodate rafts, then logs may be thus transported upon their surface; but, if insufficient for such a use, the logs may be floated singly or in quantities, as the casé may be. But, whatever use is made of the waters of such a stream, it must be one which is adapted to the stream in its natural condition, unaided by any artificial means. Moore v. Sanborne, 2 Mich. 526. What is the natural condition of such inland rivers as possess no historic consequence is a fact to be ascertained by proofs, and one oí which the courts cannot take judicial notice. Buffalo Pipe-Line Co. v. New York, etc., R. Co., 10 Abb. N. C. 107. In determining the question which we are now considering, it becomes necessary, therefore, to look somewhat into the facts of the case. The learned referee has found, upon evidence which clearly supports his findings, that the. North Branch of Moose river, from the east line of township 7 to its junction with the Middle Branch, is, except during the spring floods and freshets, of the average width of 30 feet, and of the average depth of 2 feet, and that after such junction the volume of water is increased one-third; that it is a tortuous stream, with many bends and turns, and with a current of but 2 miles an hour, except in places where there are rapids; that at some points the banks are very low, extending but little above the surface of the stream in ordinary water, and that in other places the flow of the water is obstructed by rocks and rapids which form an obstacle to the floating of logs in either low or high water; that prior to the defendants’ purchase there was a large number of accretions of logs and earth, called “flood jams,” which presented a complete obstruction to the floating of logs; that Big Safford creek, before it empties into the North Branch, is a stream about 7 miles in length, of the average width of 12 feet, and of the average depth of 10 inches, its natural condition in other respects being essentially the same as that of the North Branch. With these characteristics of the two streams established, it would seem to be a somewhat difficult undertaking to successfully contend that either was a public highway, to the extent and for the purposes for which the defendants have attempted to use them. In saying this, however, we do not lose sight of the fact that it is not pretended that the capacity of these streams is sufficient to enable the defendants to float their logs thereon at all seasons of the year; but, on the contrary, it is admitted that only during the spring freshets, a period of but three or four weeks, can either stream be thus utilized. It remains, therefore, to be determined whether, even for this brief period, the waters of either Big Safford creek or the North Branch are sufficient in capacity to admit of their use by the defendants for floating such an immense quantity of logs. In this connection it may be stated that the capacity which shall be sufficient for such purpose need not be continuous, provided it results from natural causes solely, and exists long enough to enable the defendants to float their logs to their mill. In determining this very important question, recourse may be had once more to the decision of the learned referee, who, upon evidence which is adequate, finds that, during the period of high water in the North Branch and Big Safford creek, it was both practicable and profitable to float and drive logs and timber in large quantities over the lands of the plaintiff to the defendants’ mill, but only with the aid of artificial means; that to accomplish this object the defendants, in the month of October, 1894, constructed a dam on Big Safford creek, at its outlet from Big Safford Lake, of about 9 feet in height, to enable them to float their logs from the lake into the creek over the lands of Mrs. De Camp to the North Branch, and to increase the volume of water from time to time in the latter stream; that for the same purpose the defendants cut the trees and brush on the banks of Big Safford creek 12 feet back on each side of the stream for the distance of 2 miles, upon Mrs. De Camp’s land; that in attempting to drive their logs through the stream the defendants employed a large number of men, who were frequently obliged to go, and did go, upon her land, and who were obliged to use, and did use, force to aid the passage of their logs, and to that end pried the same off from the banks of the stream, and the bowlders in the bed thereof, with pevies and cant dogs, and did also remove and displace to some extent the rocks and bowlders in the bed of the streams; that they likewise blasted the rocks upon Mrs. De Camp’s premises, and, as the season extended, made use of other dams to bring down logs which had been stranded along the banks of the stream. It is further found by'the learned referee that in the year 1872 or 1873 Norcross & Gregg placed about 16.000 logs in the North Branch, a short distance above the Middle Branch, and endeavored to float them down the stream; that about 3.000 of these logs were floated through Indian rapids; that thé drive stranded near Nelson Lake; and that this, so far as the evidence discloses, was the only attempt ever made, prior to that of the, defendants, to float logs in considerable quantities in the North Branch from a point above the Middle Branch. It is also made to appear by the evidence in the case that while the defendants were engaged in driving their logs through the North Branch the entire surface of the stream was covered, to the practical exclusion of any other person who might desire to use the same, and that a large number of these logs were left upon Mrs. De Camp’s land, by reason of the lack of either time or water to get them to their destination. It likewise appears that at one point, where there was a bend in the stream, a channel some 10 or 18 feet in length had been cut across the bend, which shortened the distance 50 feet or more, and to that extent facilitated the driving of the logs; but it is only fair to say that there is only presumptive evidence that this channel was cut by the defendants. Other facts and circumstances of a similar nature might be cited, but we think those already stated are amply sufficient to justify the conclusion of the learned referee that the North Branch of the Moose river, in its natural state, is not a public highway, at common law, for the purpose of floating logs and timber. Before dismissing this branch of the case, however, it is due to the defendants that it shall be considered in the light of another item of evidence, which is to the effect that at one time the plaintiff or his wife navigated a portion of the North Branch with a small steamboat, upon which both passengers and freight were transported. And it is argued from this fact that, if the water of the stream was of sufficient capacity to float a steamboat drawing two feet.of water during the summer months, it must have been sufficient to have floated the defendants’ logs during the period of high water. But it appears that only a part of the stream was used for the navigation of this boat, and that the part thus used was rendered fit for such purpose by the operation of artificial means. This being so, we are unable to see how it aids the defendants in their contention; for if the plaintiff, by the expenditure of money, causes a private stream to become navigable for his own personal convenience and accommodation, it by no means follows that the public thereby acquires any greater or other right in the waters of such stream. In support of this proposition, we quote once more from Sir Matthew Hale, who, in the chapter of his De Juri Maris which relates to public streams, thus quaintly states the rule which should apply in such a case:

“But, if any person at his own charge, makes his own private stream to be passable for boats or barges, either by making of locks or cutts, or drawing together other streams; and thereby that river, which was his own in point of propriety becomes now capable of carriage of vessels; yet this seems not to make it juris pubiici; and he may pull it down again, or apply it to his own private use. For it is not hereby made to be juris pubiici, unless it were done at a common charge; or by a public authority; or that by long continuance of time it hath been freely devoted to a publick use.”

We come now to consider the defendants’ third proposition, and the one in which they appear to repose the greatest confidence, viz. that the North Branch of the Moose river has been declared a public highway by the statutes of this state. As has already been shown, such is the plain language of the act of 1851, which doubtless was designed by the legislature to create a highway for the particular purposes therein indicated. Neither this act, nor the amendment of 1894, however, provides any compensation to owners for the lands taken for such highway, nor for the improvements in the bed of the stream which may become necessary before it can be used for highway purposes, as has been adjudged in a recent case to which these defendants were parties. In re Thomson, 86 Hun, 406, 33 N. Y. Supp. 467, affirmed 147 N. Y. 701, 42 N. E. 726. It must necessarily follow, therefore, that the act is in contravention of the fundamental law of the state, which provides that private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation. Const, art. 1, § 6; Morgan v. King, supra; Chenango Bridge Co. v. Paige, 83 N. Y. 178. This much, we assume, will not be controverted by the defendants, who rest their contention upon quite a different basis. It seems that the original owner of townships 1 and 7 was one Alexander McComb, who derived his title from the state, in the year 1792, by letters patent, which contained the following reservation, viz.: “* * * Excepting and reserving to ourselves all gold and silver mines, and five acres of every hundred acres of said tract of land for highways.” When the defendants failed in their condemnation proceedings in Re Thomson, supra, they amended their answer herein by setting up the McComb patent as the source of the plaintiff’s title, and alleging that the North Branch of the Moose river does not cover 5 acres out of every 100 acres through which it passes in township 7. The learned referee found this to be the fact, and the contention now is that, in declaring the North Branch a public highway, the legislature intended to exercise the power which was reserved in the McComb patent, to erect highways upon the lands thereby conveyed. The argument in support of this contention is made to rest largely upon the question of legislative power; the claim being that, inasmuch as the power to use these five acres for highway purposes resided in the legislature, it must be assumed that that body intended to exercise such power when it enacted the statute of 1851. It may be admitted, for the purpose of this appeal, that the constitutionality of a given act generally involves the question of legislative power; but nevertheless the legislature may not have intended to avail itself of this power, and therefore, in giving construction to the act we are now considering, the element of intent is quite as likely to prove important and controlling as is that of power. It is too well settled to admit of doubt that in giving construction to a statute the courts may always, when necessary, inquire into the intent of the legislature in enacting the same. Thus, it was held in Tonnele v. Hall, 4 N. Y. 140, that a statute ought to receive such a construction as will best answer the intention of the makers, and that such intention may sometimes be ascertained by referring to the causes which led to the enactment of the statute. Again, in Smith v. People, 47 N. Y. 330, it was held that, in construing statutes, effect must be given to the intent of the legislature whenever it can be discerned. Adopting, therefore, this rule, in our effort to construe the act of 1851, what other meaning can be given to its perfectly plain language than the obvious one, that it was designed to furnish the owners of timber lands upon the John Brown tract an outlet for their logs through the waters of the North Branch of Moose river, not in virtue of the power reserved in the McOomb patent, but rather by reason of the power which was supposed to-reside in the legislature to establish such a highway without providing for compensation to riparian owners? This view is strengthened by the fact that this is but one of many similar acts relating to various streams of water, in different parts of the state, running over and through lands in which, so far as we are aware, no rights or interests were reserved ato the state. But, again, if the reservation contained in the McOomb patent was within the contemplation of the legislature in enacting the statute of 1851, it is not unreasonable to assume that some reference would have been made to such reservation, and some means provided for ascertaining what portio'n of the lands available for highway purposes was covered by the waters of the North Branch. In this connection it should be remembered that the reservation was equivalent to 5 per cent, of all the lands embraced in the MeComb patent, and that while it appears that there are no highways, aside from this stream, on township 7, it does not appear that the reservation has not long since been exhausted by the establishing of highways in other parts of the tract. To meet this obstacle, it is claimed by the defendants that each and every acre of the entire tract is subject to the 5 per cent, reservation. But this contention has only to be stated to make obvious its fallacy. For, if it were to be adopted, the necessary result would be that if the state, under the power reserved in the McOomb patent, had devoted 5 per cent, of all the lands therein described to highway purposes, and located them in township 8, it might nevertheless appropriate 5 per cent, of each acre in township 7 to the same purposes. The defendants’ theory of this branch of the case has been presented with great skill and no little ingenuity, but one strong argument against it is furnished in the fact that it was not regarded as worthy of adoption until it was made apparent by the decision in the condemnation proceedings that the act of 1851 was obnoxious to the constitution, in consequence of its omission to provide for compensation to the landowners. We have examined the several authorities cited by the defendants’ counsel in support of his contention, and especially those which arose in the state of Pennsylvania, but we are unable to discover that they establish the doctrine for which he contends. In the case of Com. v. Fisher, 1 Pen. & W. 462, the court does not assume to construe the act upon which the action arose, but, in deciding the claim for damages of the owners of lands taken by the state for a canal, discusses incidentally the right of the state to appropriate 6 acres out of every 100 acres, for highways, and in so doing uses this language:

“The right of the state to take six acres out of every hundred acres sold is not an implied right, but an express reservation. These six acres were never paid for by the applicant. They were not any particular and specified or designated six acres, but they were thrown in, that, whenever the commonwealth thought a public road necessary through any part of the state, it might make it without interfering with the private right of any individual.”

This, it seems to us, is quite in harmony with the views to which we have attempted to give expression, and which may be thus briefly summarized, viz.: (1) That in and by the McComb patent the state did expressly reserve to itself, for highway purposes, 5 acres out of every 100 acres of land thereby conveyed; (2) that the land thus reserved was not specifically designated, but related to the entire tract; (3) that the power thus reserved authorized the state, at any time, to appropriate 5 per cent, of the land embraced in this tract to highway purposes; (4) that, in the absence of any language in the act of 1851 showing that such was the intent of the legislature, it will not be presumed that in declaring the North Branch of Moose river a highway for a particular purpose, without providing for compensation to riparian owners, there was any exercise of the power reserved by the McComb patent, at least until it is made to appear that such power has not already been exhausted.

There is another question arising in this case, to which but little attention has been devoted by counsel in their briefs, but which, it seems to us, is worthy of consideration. The act of 1851 declared the North Branch of Moose river a public highway, not for all purposes, nor for the public generally, but for the one, single purpose of floating logs and timber. It does not require an adept at reading between the lines to discover that this statute was evidently designed for the convenience of the individual owners of timber lands in the vicinity of this stream. If this be so, then it may well be doubted whether this attempted exercise by the legislature of the right of eminent domain possesses any validity;. for the land or water appropriated for the highway would in such a case be taken for a private, and not a public, use. Embury v. Conner, 3 N. Y. 511; In re Deansville Cemetery Ass’n, 66 N. Y. 569; In re Split Rock Cable Road Co., 128 N. Y. 408, 28 N. E. 506; In re Burns (opinion of Hardin, P. J.; not yet officially reported) 44 N. Y. Supp. 930. But we do not deem it necessary to express any opinion in regard to this question, inasmuch as we are satisfied that the case was correctly decided by the learned referee, and that the judgment appealed from must be affirmed. It is proper to add, however, that in reaching this conclusion we are not unmindful of its far-reaching consequences, nor are we oblivious to the duty resting upon this court to resort to every reasonable method which is attainable to uphold the statute under consideration, and to reconcile the same with the fundamental law of the state. But, after giving to the case the careful and critical examination which its vast importance demands, we find ourselves unable to regard as tenable either of the propositions advanced with so much ability by the learned counsel for the defendants.

Judgment affirmed, with costs. All concur.