New York Credit Men's Ass'n v. Rothenberg

196 A. 372, 15 N.J. Misc. 738, 1937 N.J. Misc. LEXIS 40
CourtBergen County Circuit Court, N.J.
DecidedOctober 25, 1937
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 196 A. 372 (New York Credit Men's Ass'n v. Rothenberg) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Bergen County Circuit Court, N.J. primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
New York Credit Men's Ass'n v. Rothenberg, 196 A. 372, 15 N.J. Misc. 738, 1937 N.J. Misc. LEXIS 40 (N.J. Ct. App. 1937).

Opinion

Caeerey, C. C. J.

This is an action brought by the New York Credit Men’s Association, a New York corporation having its office in the city of New York, against the defendant, Elliott Eothenberg, a resident of Teaneck, in the county of Bergen, and this suit arises out of a contract of guaranty entered into by the parties hereto and also signed by Elliott’s Chemists, Incorporated.

The complaint contains two counts. The first count avers the making on May 1st, 1934, of a note by Elliott’s Chemists, Incorporated, a New Jersey corporation, its endorsement by the defendant, presentment at maturity and non-payment. It is also alleged by the plaintiff that notice of protest was “forthwith given to the endorser thereof, the said Elliott Eothenberg.” The copy of the certificate of protest attached to the complaint refers to the maker as Elliott’s Chemists, Incorporated, by Elliott Eothenberg, president, and to the defendant (endorser) as Elliott Eothenberg. The original certificate of protest recites that notice of protest was given (in so far as the same relates to maker and defendant [739]*739endorser) to Ellicott’s Chemists, Incorporated, by Ellieott Eothenberg, president (maker), and Ellieott Eothenberg (endorser), notice being mailed, so addressed, in care of New York Credit Men’s Association at its New York City office therein mentioned.

An examination of the original note indicates the same to be payable to the plaintiff “as trustee.”

The second count alleges the execution on April 16th, 1934, by the defendant, of a guaranty bearing that date, wherein the defendant did personally guarantee to the creditors of Elliott’s Chemists, Incorporated (of which it is claimed the defendant was president and a large stockholder), payment of moneys due to them amounting to $8,587.36, the plaintiff herein being the trustee in said guaranty named. In consideration of said guarantee, the creditors agreed through their trustee, to extend time of payment of the aforesaid sum and not to take any action or actions to collect the same, and agreed to accept the defendant’s guarantee for the payment of $1,000 on May 1st, 1935, and the balance at the rate of $1,000 yearly, in equal monthly installments, until the full sum due, is paid, said payments to be made to the trustee at its office in New York at the address mentioned. A copy of this guaranty is annexed to the complaint. The said second count recites failure to pay said indebtedness or any part thereof. The note referred to in the first count represents the first of a series of notes evidencing said indebtedness.

The defendant by his answer admitted the making and delivery of the note, as well as the execution of the guaranty aforesaid. The answer also contains a general denial and several defenses, inter alia, want of consideration as endorser; admission of execution of the guaranty and averment that the same is not now binding upon the defendant; also that no notice of protest of the note was ever delivered to defendant.

The plaintiff denied every affirmative allegation set forth in the answer and joined issue thereon, in its filed reply.

The cause was tried, with the consent of the parties, by the court, without the intervention of a jury.

[740]*740At the trial, the plaintiff, by its staff manager, offered the note and certificate of protest in evidence, without objection, and rested. Subsequently and without objection, the guaranty hereinbefore referred to, was also received in evidence. Upon cross-examination by the defendant’s counsel, it appeared that the note was made in conformity with the guaranty aforesaid, that the assent of ninety per cent, of the creditors had been obtained (the consents although in court were not offered in evidence), that notice of protest addressed (as aforesaid) to the defendant, had been received ai the office of the plaintiff, although the plaintiff knew the exact residence address of the defendant in Teaneck and at no time received any other mail or communication intended for the defendant. The record does not disclose that any notice of dishonor was sent to the defendant at Teaneck (see sections 104, 107 and 108 of Negotiable Instruments act, Comp. Slat. 1910, p. 3747), although due diligence on the part of the plaintiff, and notary would have disclosed the same. It should be noted at this time that the note on its face, discloses the same as issuing out of Hackensack, New Jersey, where the maker (Elliott’s Chemists, Incorporated) had its place of business, the defendant herein being the president of said maker-corporation. Herbert v. Servin, 41 N. J. L. 225. The note does not contain any waiver of protest. It was payable at the office of the plaintiff.

Decision on motion of defendant for nonsuit was reserved.

The defendant, testifying in his own behalf, stated that he had been a resident of Teaneck at the same address for thirteen years (the same address as testified to by the witness offered in behalf of the plaintiff) and contended that he had never received any notice of protest of the aforesaid note although he admitted that the plaintiff was acting as trustee for the creditors of Elliott’s Chemists, Incorporated. With respect to the sufficiency of the service, if made, the rule is now elementary that it is proper and sufficient to leave notice of dishonor at the office and usual place of business of a corporation, the party to be charged, with an employe in general charge of the office, in the absence of the other officers. Smal[741]*741lery v. Wright, 40 N. J. L. 471; 8 Corp. Jur. 660; Hughes v. Bankin Realty Co., 108 N. J. L. 485; 158 Atl. Rep. 487. In the case at bar, this requirement was admittedly not complied with for that no notice of dishonor directed to the defendant, either at Teaneck or Hackensack, was sent to him. This circumstance could not, however, affect the defendant’s obligation under the guaranty — wherein the defendant became a guarantor of payment. Columbia Electric Supply Co. v. Kemmet, 67 N. J. L. 18; 50 Atl. Rep. 663. One who for the accommodation of the maker guarantees the payment of a note, is not an accommodation party within section 29 of the Negotiable Instruments act, because — in so far as relates to said guaranty — he is neither maker, drawer, acceptor or endorser.

In the making of the guaranty herein referred to, it is not claimed that there was any fraud, duress, deceit, or violation of law in procuring the same. Sound policy as well as the plainest principles of justice demand that when there is a valid consideration, and the payee had done nothing to deceive or mislead either principal or guarantor, the guarantor should be held to the terms of Ms contract. The disability of Elliott’s Chemists, Incorporated, appears to have been the very reason for the requirement of the guaranty of payment by the defendant. The legal effect of the guaranty here under consideration was that the defendant would pay the sum of $8,587.26 called for by the agreement, the Elliott’s Chemists, Incorporated, not having the moneys wherewith to pay the same. Perkins-Goodwin Co. v. Hart, 83 N. J. L. 471; 83 Atl. Rep. 877. See, also, Newark Finance Corp. v. Acocella, 115 N. J. L. 388; 180 Atl. Rep. 862, and cases therein cited as to distinction between the words “guaranty” and “surety.” See, also, Westville Land Co. v. Handle,

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196 A. 372, 15 N.J. Misc. 738, 1937 N.J. Misc. LEXIS 40, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/new-york-credit-mens-assn-v-rothenberg-njcirctbergen-1937.