Mullins v. North & South Railroad

54 Ga. 580

• Court: Supreme Court of Georgia
• Decided: July 15, 1875
• Status: Published

Opinion

Jackson, Judge.

The North and South Railroad Company sued Mullins for a subscription of $200 00, conditioned to be paid when the road should be completed to within one mile of Hamilton, Harris county. The plaintiff introduced the note and proved that the condition had been complied with. Defendant pleaded “puis darein continuance,” that the governor had seized the road. The plea was demurred to and stricken.

1. We think the court did right. It does not lie in defendant’s mouth to complain .of the seizure, especially as it occurred after his refusal to pay and suit brought against him. The corporation is not extinguished by the seizure; it is still a living entity and capable of collecting'the stock subscribed. -Perhaps, had the defendant, and others like him, paid their subscriptions promptly, the road' might not have been seized.

2. But as it has been seized, when this subscription is collected, whose, in equity, is the fund collected ? Is it not the state’s, and should not the solicitor general, under the direction of the court below, take steps to secure it to the state ? Counsel for plaintiff, of course, will be entitled to his fees out of the fund, but the balance, we incline to think, the state should have. At all events, we put the officer of the state in the circuit, whose duty it is to watch her interests and collect' funds due her, on notice as to this fund, and leave the matter there.

Judgment affirmed.