Getty v. Hudson River Rail Road

8 How. Pr. 177

• Court: New York Supreme Court
• Decided: October 15, 1852
• Status: Published

Opinion

Harris, Justice.

A complaint is to contain a statement of the facts which constitute a single cause of action (Benedict agt. Seymour, 6 How. Pr. R. 298). This is the general rule. The 167th section of the Code makes certain exceptions to this general rule. It authorizes two or more causes of action, in certain specified cases, and under certain restrictions, to be united in the same complaint. Where a complaint contains matter not relating to the cause of action upon which the plaintiff relies, it may be struck out as irrelevant or redundant Where the matters thus stated constitute a distinct cause of action, so that, in fact, two distinct causes of action are set forth, the defendant may demur, upon the ground that several causes of action have been improperly united, unless the pleader has brought his case within the provisions of the 167th section. Prominent among the conditions which this section imposes upon the party who would unite several causes of action in the same complaint is, the requirement that such causes of action shall be separately stated. Where this requirement is disregarded, the plaintiff can not defend his complaint against a demurrer founded upon the improper union of several causes of action, by showing that they were such as, by the provisions of the 167th section, he was authorized to unite in the same complaint. That this is so, has, I think, been clearly shown by Mr. Justice Willard, in Durkee agt. The Saratoga and Washington Rail Road Co. (4 How. Pr. R. 226; see also Pike agt. Van Wormer, 5 How. Pr. R. 171). Whenever two or more causes of action are found in the same complaint, it is liable to a demurrer, unless all the causes of action so united belong to some one of the classes of actions specified in the 167th section, and are set forth in the manner there prescribed.

As I understand the complaints in these actions, they each contain three distinct grounds upon which the plaintiffs rely to sustain a recovery; first, the erection of a continuous line of embankment between the plaintiff’s farm and the channel of the river, whereby they are deprived of the use and navigation of the river, and in consequence of which they have sustained damage, &c.; then, the omission of the defendants to construct such a bridge as is necessary to provide for the free passage of vessels from the river into the bay, whereby the plaintiffs have also sustained damage, and lastly, the omission of the defendants to construct any passes or roads across their rail road, for the passage of persons,'cattle, carriages and teams, for the purpose of enabling the plaintiffs to farm and manage their lands. I do not now propose to inquire whether all or any of these causes of action, if sustained by proof, would entitle the plaintiffs to recover. I am now regarding the allegations solely in reference to the character and sufficiency of the complaint as a pleading. Assuming that the plaintiffs are right in making these allegations, they should have been set forth as three separate causes of action. Each involves a legal question distinct from the others. Neither one is dependent upon either of the others. The defendants had the right to have these distinct and independent grounds of action so stated as that by answer or demurrer, as they should be advised, they could present the appropriate defence to each. Now, the three causes of action are so mingled and connected together that the defendants have no alternative but to answer the whole, or demur to the whole. Had they been presented as distinct causes of action, it is not unlikely that the defendants might have demurred to the first and last, on the ground that a sufficient cause of action was not stated. I say, to the first, because I think the question which that involves is settled by the very able opinion of Mr. Justice Barctjlo, in Gould vs. The same defendants (12 Barb. 616), and to the last, because it seems very questionable whether the 16th section of the act referred to in the complaint, has any application to a case like that stated by the plaintiff. On the other hand, it may well be, that the omission of the defendants to provide a passage for vessels to enter the bay adjoining the plaintiffs’ land, would give them a right of action. According to the allegations in the complaint it was a duty which the act which gave them existence imposed upon the defendants. It is very likely, therefore, that the defendants, instead of demurring to this cause of action, would have preferred to answer it, either by controverting the allegations, or setting up new matter in avoidance. At any rate they had a right to have the several causes of action so stated that they could safely answer them separately.

I do not think the causes of action are such that they might not lawfully be united in the same action. Assuming that the plaintiffs can maintain an action for each of the several grievances of which they complain, I think they may all be considered as having arisen out of “ the same transaction;” or at least, as so far “ connected with the same subject of action,” as to authorize their being united in the same suit, under the first subdivision of the 167th section. I am inclined to think they all belong to the third class also; but whether they do or not, it is not material to determine, for it is enough that they all belong to any one of the classes specified.

The demurrers in these cases, instead of being such pleadings as are contemplated by the Code, contain the defendants’ argument in support of their objections. Five grounds of demurrer, or rather, Jive points are stated; some of which are again subdivided into several subordinate points; the whole occupying ten folios. The first two points, with their subdivisions, are the same stated in the report of Gould vs. The Hudson River Rail Road Co., above cited. So great elaborateness was, to say the least, quite unnecessary

Six grounds of demurrer are specified in the Code. It is enough to authorize a demurrer that any one of these objections appears upon the face of the complaint. But the demurrer must not be general. It must specify distinctly upon which of the several grounds of objection which justify this pleading, the party relies. No legislative requirement goes beyond this. If the ground of objection, as stated in the demurrer, is, in substance, any one of those specified in the 144th section, I suppose it is good as a pleading. In some instances, two distinct grounds of demurrer are embraced in one of the subdivisions of the section mentioned. Thus, the defendant is authorized to demur when it appears “ that the court has no jurisdiction of the person of the defendant, or the subject of the action.” In a demurrer for want of jurisdiction it would, undoubtedly, be necessary for the defendant to state w'hether the alleged want of jurisdiction related to the “ person of the defendant,” or “ the subject of the action.” So, when the defendant demurs on the ground that it appears on the face of the complaint that there is a defect of parties, plaintiff or defendant, he should state w'hether it is a defect of parties plaintiff, or parties defendant, upon w'hich he relies. But, in respect to the other grounds of demurrer, I do not understand that any thing more is required than td state the objection in the very words of the statute. What more should a party demurring be required to state than that it appears upon the face of the plaintiff’s pleading, that he “ has not legal capacity to sue,” or “that there is another action pending between the same parties for the same cause,” or “ that several causes of action are improperly united,” or that a cause of action is not stated? Whatever else is said, must be matter of argument, to show that the party demurring is right in making the allegation. No system of pleading ever required this. “ It would lead to great prolixity, in many cases,” said Willard, J., in Durkee agt. The Saratoga and Washington Rail Road Co., above cited, “ if the reasons for saying that the complaint does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action were required to be set forth. A demurrer would assume the form of a brief for counsel, rather than a pleading.” The case in hand furnishes a forcible illustration of the truth of this remark (see also Swift agt. DeWitt, 3 Howard. 280; Hyde agt. Conrad, 5 id. 112).

In Purdy agt. Carpenter (6 How. Pr. R. 361), it was held that a demurrer, like those which had been sustained in the cases above cited, did not satisfy the requirements of the Code. This is the only case with which 1 have met which advocates the necessity of incorporating in a demurrer the points and argument upon which the party relies to sustain his demurrer upon the trial. Since this decision, the pleader has not felt himself safe in merely stating the grounds of demurrer, but, uncertain how the question would finally be settled, he has, in many instances, as in this, transferred his entire brief to his demurrer. The result is, that instead of “ simplifying ” this kind of pleading, it is rendered difficult and complicated. It often happens, as here, that it is. no easy matter to glean from the multitude of points and arguments found in the demurrer, what are the real points upon which, the party relies. Such pleading is, it seems to me, greatly to be, deprecated.

In the premises stated by Mr. Justice Basculo, in the learned, opinion to which I have referred, and in much of his argument I fully concur; but I can not agree that his conclusions are sustained by his premises or his argument. I. agree that there is now no such thing as a general demurrer. I agr.ee, too, that the. Code now requires, what was required by the rules of 1847, that, the party demurring should “ briefly but plainly specify the objections upon which he intends to rely on the argument.” But, I can not doubt that this requirement is satisfied by “ distinctly specifying ” upon which of the several grounds of demurrer enumerated in the 144th section the party relies. When he thus distinctly specifies one or more of such grounds, he precludes himself from taking, upon the argument of the demurrer, any other objection. This, I suppose, was what was intended by the 145th section, The party, to whose pleading the demurrer is taken, is thus apprised of the precise ground of objection.

It is not to be forgotten that a demurrer is only appropriate when the ground of objection appears on the face of the pleading. Can it be, that a party demurring upon the ground that it appears by the plaintiff’s own showing that the court has no jurisdiction, of the person of the defendant, must go farther and present reasons and arguments to maintain his objection? If it appear that the plaintiff is a feme covert, suing without a next friend,, is it not enough to say, as the ground of demurrer, “ that the-plaintiff has not legal, capacity to sue?” And so, when, passing; by all the other grounds of demurrer, the party declares that he will rely alone on the fact that, assuming all the plaintiff’s allegations to be true, they do not give him a right of action, .can he be required to go further and specify how he expects to ..maintain this position? Certainly, no great hardship can result ,from, this “brief but plain” specification of the ground of ..objection upon which the party demurring relies. The plaintiff „is ma.de.to .know, that, it will be insisted that he has not' stated a . cause of action. All he has to do is to prepare himself to maintain that his complaint is sufficient in this respect. I am not aware that under .the former practice requiring demurrers to be special, any more .specific or distinct statement of the ground of demurrer was required. Nor am I ready to admit that, in this respect, that system “ which had been tried, and which worked well,” has been abandoned. The grounds of demurrer have been changed, but the mode, of stating such grounds has not been changed.

If I am right in these .views, it will be seen that “ section 145 does not become a dead.letter by tolerating this mode of demurring.” Both sections have their appropriate office. The 144th .section declares what are.valid grounds of demurrer. The 145th ¡requires the party demurring distinctly to specify upon which, ■«of these grounds he means to rely; thus, negatively, disclaiming ¡all other grounds of objection.

I might have disposed of this ease without entering upon this discussion, but I hav.e thought it might be worth while to make these suggestions, in the hope that they might tend to the early settlement of a question which, as the decisions now stand, can but perplex and embarrass the profession as well as judges. Nor will I deny that I have been actuated by the further hope, that the question would be so settled as to save this branch of our-present system.of pleadings from the difficulty and uncertainty : which, it seems to me, would inevitably attend the establishment-of the views presented in the very able opinion to which I have • referred. For, if those views are to prevail, what pleader can know, until .he learns the peculiarities of the judge who isto.decide upon the question, whether or not he.has “pointed:out with sufficient'distinctness the grounds of his demurrer? •'

Judgment must be rendered for the defendants, in each of these cases, upon the sole ground that several causes of action, though such as might be joined in the same suit, are improperly blended together in the complaint. The plaintiffs are to have liberty to amend their complaints, upon payment of the costs of the demurrer, to be taxed by the clerk of Columbia.