People ex rel. Lumley v. Lewis

28 How. Pr. 159

• Court: New York Supreme Court
• Decided: March 15, 1863
• Status: Published

Opinion

Allen, J.

The gross amount of costs allowed was very large, and very likely excessive, but of this I cannot speak, for the reason I have not examined and do not propose to examine the bill in detail, But upon a cursory examination I am inclined to think that many items were erroneously allowed, and other items proper upon the theory upon which the costs were taxed, were taxed at too large an amount. But for this the attorney for the defendants is in a measure responsible, for omitting to object in proper form, and call the taxing officer’s attention to the precise objection, and perhaps if the error of the officer in taxing the items was the only ground of objection, the defendants would be remediless. But the objection to the principle of taxation was taken before the officer, and involves a question of right, and has not been lost or waived by any laches.

The question is one of importance, and is whether the anomaly still exists, that in proceedings by mandamus, the costs are to be taxed under the obnoxious fee bill of 1830, while in every other suit and proceeding a more modern fee bill is to be resorted to, and this notwithstanding the efforts of the legislature to repeal it and substitute one that was thought to be more just and reasonable, to wit: in 1840, 1844 and 1848. It is not a question whether a proceeding by mandamus when it progresses to a return, may or may not be in some sense regarded as “ an action ” or “a suit,” which is more comprehensive than an action, and be so styled. We have to do with a statutory definition and division of legal remedies into “ actions ” and “ special proceedings.” An action is declared to be an “ ordinary proceeding ” in a court of justice by which a party prosecutes, &c.; and a “ special proceeding ” embraces every other remedy (Code, §§ 2, 3). Section 2 is broad enough in terms, when speaking of the purposes and objects for which “ an action ” may be brought, to embrace and include every legal proceeding. For there can be no legal process or procedure except “ for the enforcement of a right, the redress or prevention of a wrong, or the punishment of a public offence.” The material and distinctive part of the definition is the words “ ordinary proceeding.” This distinguishes an action from an extraordinary or special proceeding, and restricts the term to a procedure which would answer to an ordinary action at law or suit in equity.

Now a mandamus is not an ordinary proceeding. It is known as a high prerogative writ, and it is issued in the exercise of an extraordinary power, and although it is to a certain extent assimilated to an action, it is not made an action. The court grants the writ in the exercise of its general supervisory power, and to prevent a failure of justice, and when there is no other specific legal remedy for a legal right. It is not a Avrit of right, but is granted in the discretion of the court. The court will not interfere by mandamus when an action will lie, or when there is any other remedy at law (Tapping on Mandamus, 20, et seq). Costs, the right to execution, and a writ of error from judgments in mandamus cases, have been from time to time annexed by statute to the proceedings as incidents to them, but such incidents do not affect the character of the jurisdiction or the remedy, and make it an “ ordinary proceeding.” Judge Potter,, in People agt. Colborne (20 How. 378), goes no farther than this. He merely regards a mandamus as a “ suit,” or a “ proceeding on mandamus ” “an action,” within the equity of certain statutes, although he did not regard that conclusion as even necessary for the purpose of determining the question then before him. If proceedings by mandamus were actions, technically or otherwise, costs would follow as of course under statutes giving costs in legal actions generally, but such has not been the case, and special statutes have been required to entitle the prevailing party to costs, and to charge them who should pay them. (Tapping on Mandamus, 394; 2 Revised Statutes, 587, § 57, 619, §§ 39, 40; Laws of 1833, 395, § 6; People agt. Onondaga C. P. 10 Wend. 598.)

Mandamus proceedings have been regarded as special proceedings as defined by the Code, by courts and judges in several cases. They were incidentally so spoken of by Harris, Justice, in 12 How., at page 99, and were directly so held in People agt. Schoonmaker (19 Barb. 657), and see Crary’s Practice, 305. The act of 1854 (Laws of 1854, p. 592,) gives an appeal to the general term from an order, judgment or final determination in special proceedings, and it was held in the case last cited that a judgment or final order in mandamus was within this section, and see Boyd agt. Bigelow (14 How. 511).

For all the purposes of costs, appeals from decisions in special proceedings are regarded as actions (Code, § 318, as amended in 1862). By the act of 1854, costs when allowed in special proceedings are to be at the rate allowed for similar services in civil actions (Act of 1854, ch. 270, § 3). By section 471 of the Code, it is epacted that until otherwise provided by the legislature, the second part of the Code shall not affect proceedings by mandamus or prohibition. This part of the section stands as it was first enacted. The provisions regulating costs on appeal in special proceedings, first found a place in the Code in 1849 (see § 318). And the act prescribing the rate of allowance in special proceedings, was first passed in 1854; and if a proceeding by mandamus is as I think it to be, “ a special proceeding ” under the Code, the act is a legislative provision upon the subject so far as costs are concerned, bringing it within the operation of the second part of the Code, and taking it out of the exception created by section 471.

I am told that this is adverse to the practice in the first and sixth districts. I should regret very much to be found in hostility to the courts in those districts, and had I before me the decision of either court I certainly should follow it; although some were referred to they were not cited, and if they have been reported I have not been so fortunate as to see them, and I am compelled to decide in accordance with my own convictions. The taxation must therefore be set aside, and the costs readjusted and inserted ip the roll in accordance with the fee bill provided for by the Code, neither party to have costs of this motion.

E. Countryman, for appellant.

I. Mandamus cases are not special proceedings, within the meaning of chap. 210, Laws of 1854. When issues of fact are joined therein, they become suits or actions, as those terms are used in the law. Judge Allen holds that a mandamus case is not an “ ordinary proceeding in a court of justice,” within section 2 of the Code, and is therefore a special proceeding. The word “ ordinary,” according to Worcester means “established,” “settled,” “ accus-, tomed,” “common,” “usual,” “ often recurring.” It cannot be necessary to cite authorities to show how firmly “established,” well “settled,” and long “ accustomed ”— how “common,” “usual” and “oft recurring” in practice, is the old remedy of mandamus. Tapping on Mandamus, 2, 56, declares the remedy so ancient “ that the exact date of its institution cannot with any accuracy be shown,” although he claims to have traced it to magna ¿harta. An examination of the reports under the various classifications of legal remedies existing before the Code, would show no other mode of legal redress more frequently sought and obtained in the courts. But the true explanation of an “ ordinary proceeding” is given in § 245 of the Code, which defines a judgment to be “ the final determination of the rights of the parties in an action.” Hence Judge Harris held in The Peple ex rel. Bender agt. The County Judge of Rensselaer (13 How. 400), “that any judicial proceeding which if conducted to a termination will result in a judgment, is an action.” In this case the litigationhas resulted in a judgment. The legislature of 1863, while Judge Allen was writing his opinion, solved the question against him. By the amendment of that year to section 471 of the Code, it is provided “ that in actions or proceedings by mandamus, amendments of any mistakes in the process, pleadings or proceedings therein, may be allowed,” &c. This was clearly the doctrine also of the Revised Statutes, which provide that whenever the relators plead or demur to the return, “ the like proceedings shall be had therein for the determination thereof,” as in an “ action on the case for a false return,” and “ as in personal actions,” and that a recovery therein “ shall be a bar to any other action ” for making such return (3 R. S. 5th ed. 898, §§ 15, 19), This question was very ably discussed in People agt. Colborne (20 How. 380, 382), and as Judge Allen would seem to entertain a doubt as to the precise conclusion to which Judge Pottr arrived, it had better be stated in his own language, page 382, “ I am, therefore, clear in my view of its meaning, that the proceeding now in question was an action.” In the Commercial Bank of Albany agt. Canal Commissioners (Court of Errors, 10 Wend. 32), Chancellor Walworth, referring to the changes effected by 9 Ann, ch. 20, said : “ After the passing of the statute of Ann, the proceeding in cases (of mandamus) coming within its provisions assumed the form of ordinary suits.” Judge Allen cites Tapping, to show that a mandamus is “ a high prerogative writ,” and an extraordinary remedy. But Tapping was there speaking of the original remedy as it existed at common law, before the recent modifications created by various statutes, and after citing these statutes at length, which are very similar in their provisions to those of New York, he says that “ the writ of mandamus is at this day, from the period at least of the return, entirely assimilated to an action.” (Tapping on Mandamus, 61,8 ; see also 3 Black. Com. 265.) True the writ may be said to be granted in the discretion of the court. But this discretion is not capricious or arbitrary. Legal discretion never means either in civil or criminal law, arbitrary will. In the language of Lord Mansfield, “ diseretion when applied to a court of justice, means sound discretion guided by law; it must be governed by rule, not by humor: it must not be arbitrary, vague and fanciful, but legal and regular.” The writ will always be awarded as matter of right, upon proper case shown (see 2 John. Cases, 2d ed. 211, note 4). The doctrine of prerogative was exploded in Kendall agt. The United States (12 Peters, 608). Judge Thompson in delivering the opinion of the court (p. 614), said : “ It (mandamus) is a writ, in England issuing out of the king’s bench in the name of the king, and is called a prerogative writ, but considered a writ of right.” And page 615 : “It is an action or suit brought in a court of justice, asserting a right, and is prosecuted according to the forms of judicial proceedings.” Judge Allen’s definition of an “ ordinary proceeding,” would exclude criminal cases from the class of actions. These cases are clearly not commenced by summons or by consent, as prescribed by the Code. And they are only instituted by permission of the grand jury, in the exercise of judicial discretion. Still they are embraced in the definition of actions (Code, §§ 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). “There are various modes of commencing an action. In courts of record since the adoption of the Code, it must be by summons, &c. But other modes have been and may be prescribed in particular cases ” (13 How. 400, supra). And it was held in that case that proceedings under the general lien law, commenced by a simple notice to the adverse party, which resulted in a judgment, was an action. Judge Allen argues that a mandamus case is not an action, because it cannot be resorted to “ when there is any other remedy at law.” This rule has always applied to all classes of actions. A party having a remedy at law, was bound to resort to the proper action. He could not bring trover or trespass, when the proper action was assumpsit or covenant, and vice versa. On the same principle he could not have an action of mandamus, when any other action would afford him proper relief or compensation. Judge Allen concedes that a “suit in equity” is an action. But these “suits” or “ cases in chancery,” as well as mandamus cases, were originally instituted for precisely similar reasons, to wit: in order “ to prevent a failure of justice ” from the want of specific and adequate remedies at law. “ An ordinary proceeding in a court of justice,” may be described as consisting of the following successive steps of procedure : Process, by which the party complained of is brought before the court; pleadings, by which the nature of the demand and the defence is exhibited to the court by the respective parties; trial or hearing, by the court of the case so presented; judgment or decree, by which the court awards or denies the remedy sought to be obtained: and execution, by which the judgment is actually and specifically enforced. Every other proceeding is extraordinary, summary or special. The Code definition of an action may then be paraphrased as follows : It is any judicial proceeding to enforce or protect a right, to redress or prevent a wrong, or to punish a public offence, which, when instituted, is pursued by the regular procedure or established mode of litigation, as by pleading, trial, judgment, execution, and writ of error or appeal. It is admitted that there is a class of proceedings by mandamus, which are strictly motions, and are summary or special in their nature, to which the statute of 1854 can be properly applied. Previous to 1854, as since, a party had his choice of two courses, either to apply directly on affidavits for a peremptory writ, under the usual notice of motion or order to show cause, or for an alternative writ, by serving which a regular suit was commenced to obtain the peremptory writ. But in the former case prior to 1854, the questions between the parties “ being heard on affidavits merely, no formal judgment was given and the decision was final,” unless-the court ex gratia allowed a formal record to be made up for the express purpose of obtaining a writ of error. (People agt. Judges of Rensselaer C. P. 3 How. 165 ; People agt. Throop, 12 Wend. 183; ex parte Jennings, 6 Cow. 518; Commercial Bank of Albany agt. Canal Commissioners, 10 Wend. 31; People agt. Cayuga C. P. 10 Wend. 633; People agt. Supervisors of New York, 20 Barb. 86 ; People agt. Beebe, 1 Barb. 319.) The act of 1854 so far modified the old law as to allow an appeal from the order, without directing a formal record or judgment, and where the facts are uncontroverted the summary proceeding is now advisable. But where the facts are disputed, now, as heretofore, an alternative writ must be obtained. Judge Allen’s misapplication of People agt. Schoonmaker (19 Barb. 657), is therefore easily explained. That was a motion brought on at special term under an order to show cause, and heard on admitted facts. The order for a peremptory writ was granted in the first instance, and the appeal to the general term was from that order, which was properly entertained. This view is now authoritatively confirmed by legislative enactment, in the amendment of 1863 to § 471 of the Code, wherein mandamus cases are expressly recognized as “ actions ” and as “ proceedings.”

The relators brought an appeal to the general term.

II. It is admitted, however, that “ a suit and proceeding upon writ of mandamus ” (3 R. S. 5th ed. 909, § 9), is not included in the class of common law actions, technically so called. “ The proceeding is in many respects sui generis.” Babculo, Justice in People agt. Supervisors of Dutchess (3 How. 382). Judge Allen was therefore clearly correct in saying that “special statutes have been required to entitle the prevailing party to costs in mandamus, and to charge those who should pay them.” (Tapping on Mandamus, 394 ; Laws of 1833, 395, § 6; 2 R. S. 619, §§ 39, 40; 3 Id. 5th ed. 909, 9 ; People agt. Onondaga C. P. 10 Wend. 598.) The authority to grant costs in mandamus is only to be found in the act of 1833. (People agt. Densmore, 1 Barb. 551; People agt. Supervisors of Dutchess, 3 How. 380.) It follows that whenever costs are given, the amount or the items should he such as were directed, intended or contemplated by that act. The fee bill of the Revised Statutes was then in force, and the act of 18.33 must have been passed with express reference to that fee bill. According to the rule of construction, whatever is within the spirit and intent is within the statute, even if against the letter. (White agt. Wager, 32 Barb. 253 ; People agt. Utica Ins. Co. 15 Johns. 358; Jackson agt. Collins, 3 Cow. 89; 14 Mass. 92; 1 Kent’s Com. 462.) Applying this rule to the construction of the act of 1833, and the acts of 1840 and 1844, it is apparent that the true rule of taxation in mandamus cases is to be found in the Revised Statutes. The fee bill of 1840, as amended in 1844, was clearly designed to be limited to common law actions. Chancery cases are expressly excepted, and mandamus cases are not expressly included in the act. The act of 1833 is analogous to the act providing that the costs in surrogates’ courts shall be taxed under the common pleas fee bill in the Revised Statutes (Laws of 1837, p. 536). That fee bill was repealed or modified by the act of 1840, and the court of common pleas was abolished by the new constitution and the Code. Still it has been repeatedly held that the common pleas fee bill remains in force for the cases provided for in the act of 1837. (Western agt. Romaine, 1 Bradford, 37 ; Wilcox agt. Smith, 26 Barb, 316, 330; Devin agt. Patchin, 25 How. 5; 26 New York, 441, 448.) The case, In the matter of St. John (6 Hill, 356), adopts the fee bill in the Revised Statutes. The costs in statutory foreclosures are also taxed under the same fee bill (Collins agt. Standish, 6 How. 494). Costs on appeals from surrogates’ courts are now taxed under the Code by the amendment of 1862 to section 471. And a similar specific amendment is requisite to change the rule in mandamus cases. The costs were taxed under the fee bill of 1830, in two recent and reported cases of mandamus. (People agt. Ewen, 8 Abb. 359; People agt. Colborne, 20 How. 380.)

III. The county judge had jurisdiction to tax the costs. (2 R. S. 2d ed. 210, §§ 32, 34; Judiciary Act, Laws of 1847, ch. 280, § 29, ch. 470, § 27; 3 R. S. 5th ed. 306, § 32.)

IY. The defendants have lost their right to a retaxation by laches. “ The motion must be made without delay. After the lapse of two terms at which the party might have applied for a re-taxation, the court will not interfere though there be objectionable items in the bill.” (1 Burrill’s Practice, 2d ed. 267 ; McLean agt. Forward, 1 Cow. 49; Morris agt. Mullett, 1 John. Ch. 44; Graham’s Practice, 2d ed. 338.) The old rule has been recognized under the Code (Dresser agt. Wickes, 2 Abb. 460).

Y. The court will not re-tax the costs on a new state of facts not disclosed to the taxing officer below. (Webb agt. Crosby, 11 Paige, 193 ; Emmons agt. Cairns, 11 Paige, 380.) A motion for a re-taxation of costs is in the nature of an appeal, and can only be heard upon the papers and proofs used before the cleric. (Logan agt. Thomas, 11 How. 160; Beattie agt. Qua, 15 Barb. 132 ; 3 Code Rep. 24.)

YI. The general objection to every item in the bill of costs as illegal, &c., without selecting any particular item, or assigning any ground or reason therefor, is not available, and the court cannot for that reason order a re-taxation. (Cuyler agt. Coats, 10 How. 141; People agt. Oakes, 1 How. 195 ; Lyon agt. Wilkes, 1 Cow. 591.) “ The moving affidavit should state that the taxation was opposed ; that certain items in the bill (mentioning them) were objected to, and that they were taxed by the taxing officer, notwithstanding the objection.” (1 Burrill’s Practice, 2d ed. 471; Rogers agt. Rogers, 2 Paige, 459.) And as to all items provided for in the fee bill, which it is claimed are improperfy charged, the affidavit must state the grounds of the objections to such items. (Wilder agt. Wheeler, 1 How. 136; 1 Burrill’s Practice, 2d ed, 471.) Where costs are taxed ex parte, and therefore without objection, the decision of the taxing officer cannot be reviewed as to any of the items allowed (Hoffman agt. Skinner, 5 Paige, 526).

D. C. Bates, for respondents.

I. The costs should be adjusted by the county clerk, under the fee bill provided by the Code of Procedure. Mandamus is a special proceeding as defined by the Code (§§ 1, 2, 3). The Laws of 1854 chap. 210, § 3, provides that “in special proceedings, and on appeals therefrom, costs may be allowed in the discretion of the court, and when allowed shall be at the rate allowed for similar services in civil actions.” In the case of The People agt. Schoonmaker (19 Barb. 657), it was expressly decided that a proceeding by mandamus is a special proceeding under the third section of the Code, and provided for by chapter 2l0 of the laws of 1854. Justice Wright, who delivered the opinion of the court said, page 658 : “ The argument is that a mandamus is in the nature of an action, unaffected by the Code of Procedure or its provisions relative to appeals, and is not a special proceeding within the meaning of the act of 1854. We are of the opinion that the law referred to authorizes the appeal.” In the matter of the Extension of the Bowery (12 How. 99), Justice Harris, speaking of section 3 of the Code, said : “ These remedies, I suppose, are such as are incident to the powers of a court of general jurisdiction, such as mandamus, prohibition, habeas corpus and the like.” The act of 1854 is also referred to in Boyd agt. Bigelow, 14 How. 511 ; and Haviland agt. White, 7 How. 154. In the laws of 1859, chapter 114, section 3, the legislature in providing for appeals to the court of appeals in these cases, calls them “ proceedings upon mandamus.” If the law-makers had regarded them as actions, they would have used the word “ actions” upon mandamus, instead of the word “ proceedings.” The laws of 1862, page 862, section 21, show that the legislature must have understood proceedings in mandamus to be included in the terms “ special proceedings.” Crary’s Practice in Special Proceedings, 305, says : “ When costs are granted (in mandamus cases) they are to be at the rate allowed for similar services in civil actions.”

II. If the costs are not to be adjusted under' the provisions of the Code by the clerk, then they are improperly taxed under the old fee bill of the Revised Statutes, as the fee bill of the act of 1840 abolishes the fee bill of the Revised Statutes, and expressly provides for proceedings upon mandamus (Laws of 1840, chap. 386, pp. 327, 328 and 330). The order made at special term should be affirmed, with costs.

By the court, If any question can be regarded as settled with us in this district, it is that a proceeding upon mandamus, where there has been a return, and the suit has gone to pleadings, and a trial thereon has been had, is not a special proceeding under the Code, but an action. And that the costs in such' a suit are to be taxed under the fee bill as contained in the Revised Statutes, has been too often decided with us to be regarded as an open question. The question has been often up in special term, and has been several times before the general term, reaching back through a period of more than a dozen years. The first question we have decided in general term is this very case, and if the latter were to be regarded an open question now, I do not think we could come to any other conclusion. Regarding the question as settled with us, I shall refuse to discuss it. The doctrine of stare decisis must command some respect both from the bar and the bench. The order made at special term must be reversed with $10 costs, and the defendants’ motion denied with $10 costs.

Mason, J.

Order accordingly.