Perkins v. Butler County

62 N.W. 308, 44 Neb. 110, 1895 Neb. LEXIS 17

• Court: Nebraska Supreme Court
• Decided: February 20, 1895
• Docket: No. 5659
• Status: Published

Opinion

Irvine, C.

In 1889 William J. Chidester and C. F. Barras were copartners under the name of Chidester & Barras. In that year they entered into a contract with Butler county for the construction of a court house, for which they were to receive $47,700. The contract provided for the payment to Chidester & Barras each month of eighty-five per cent on materials furnished and labor performed during the month, the remaining fifteen per cent to be paid after the work was completed. Some time after this contract was entered into work was begun on the court house and continued by Chidester & Barras until October 22, 1890, when the copartnership was dissolved. The terms of the dissolution were evidenced by several instruments. By one of these Barras agreed that if Chidester should give him a good and sufficient bond to hold him harmless against all loss or damage for which .Chidester & Barras might become liable for any failure, fraud, or neglect upon their part in and about the construction of the court house, or for any loss for work, labor, or material furnished, or for any failure on the part of Chidester to pay for labor or material used in the construction of the court house, then Barras would waive all claims for any profit which might accrue in the construction of the court house; and Barras further agreed “that the said Chidester shall use the firm name in and about the construction of said court house.” Another instrument is the bond referred to. A third instrument is an agreement of dissolution, whereby all unsettled business was to be settled as soon as practicable, and the profits or loss shared equally, and Chidester, in consideration of the relinquishment by Barras of all claims to any profit arising from the court house contract, was to obtain an additional surety on the indemnity bond to Barras. Another instrument is a notice of dissolution signed by both partners and published at the time. This notice recited that the court house contract was to be carried out by Chidester; that he was authorized to receive all payments, and that he was responsible for all bills for labor and material performed and furnished, and that Chidester was to use the firm name to complete the building, and Barras was not to. use the firm name in any future transactions. A still further instrument is a receipt by Barras from Chidester for $150, in full for all claims on the court house contract.

Erom these instruments it is clear that it was the intention of the parties to effect a dissolution as of October 22, 1890, so far as practicable; that Barras received $150 in lieu of other demands on account of the court house, and Chidester undertook to indemnify him from liability on account of that contract. It is also clear that between the partners it was understood that Chidester should proceed alone with the work. But it is equally clear that Chidester aud Barras recognized the fact that as to third persons their existing contract liabilities could not be affected, and so it was expressly agreed that Chidester might use the firm name in the fulfillment of the court house contract. Chidester proceeded with the work, and in December induced Perkins and Spelts, the plaintiffs, to sign as joint makers with him a promissory note, to the order of the Columbia National Bank of Lincoln, for $4,000. This note was discounted by the bank and the proceeds placed to Chidester’s credit individually and not to the credit of Chidester & Barras. Chidester testifies that his object in obtaining this money was to use it on the court house contract, and the evidence shows that nearly all of it was so used. At the time this note was made Chidester delivered to Perkins & Spelts the following instrument:

“To the Honorable Board of Supervisors and County Treasurer of Butler County, Nebraska: Please pay to B. O. Perkins and L. Spelts all of the fifteen per cent now due and which will be due us on the court house contract and this shall be your receipt for same said 15 per cent, being $7,155. Dated at David City, Neb., this 9th day of Dec., in the year 1890. Chidester & Barras,

“ By W. J. Chidester.”

It does not appear that there was any agreement between Chidester and the-plaintiffs that the money should be used for the court house, nor that they supposed that they were-dealing with the firm of Chidester & Barras in signing the-note. It does not even appear that they were informed what Chidester’s purpose was in procuring the loan. The most that can be said is that Perkins at least evidently relied largely on the assignment of the fifteen per cent reserve fund to secure him in his suretyship. This note was once or twice renewed and was finally, on July 6, 1891, paid by Perkins and Spelts. On December 30, 1890, Perkins and. Spelts had filed the assignment with the county clerk of Butler county. The court house was completed and accepted about May 28, 1891, and there was found to be-due from the county to Chidester & Barras $8,344.82. At the time the work was completed a number of orders were given against this fund in favor of persons who had performed labor or furnished material for the court house. Some of these orders were signed by both Chidester and Barras, some of them were signed in the firm name by Barras alone. There is evidence sufficient, at least to sustain the finding to that effect by the district court, that at the time of the dissolution Chidester & Barras were insolvent. Perkins and Spelts, after paying the note, brought this action against Butler county, Chidester, and the laborers and material-men praying that they be decreed entitled to payment of the money due from Chidester from the fund in the hands of the county, prior to the payment of the-other parties.

The county answered, admitting the contract with Chi- • dester & Barras, the completion and acceptance of the-court house, and that there was due thereon the amount already stated. ■ It then pleaded the presentment to it of the various orders, and prayed the adjudication by the court of- the respective claims of the plaintiffs and of the laborers and material-men, and the protection of the court in the disbursement of the money. The numerous laborers and material-men filed answers, putting plaintiffs’ claims in issue, and cross-petitions setting up claims in themselves to the fund. The court found that the moneys in the hands of Butler county were partnership assets of Chidester & Barras, and that the laborers and material-men were creditors of the firm, and the plaintiffs were individual creditors of Cliidester; that Chidester & Barras were insolvent. The court then found the amount due each of the' laborers and material men, classifying their claims in groups, but ordering the payment of all before the payment of any money to the. plaintiffs. From this decree the plaintiffs appeal.

There is but little controversy as to the facts, but the discussion of law has taken a wide range. We think a few considerations are sufficient to resolve the case to a single question, or group of questions. In the first place, whatever may have been the law formerly, and however such a transaction may be regarded now in a court of law, it is settled that in equity an assignment of moneys not yet due or earned, but which are expected to be earned in the future under an existing contract, is binding and will be enforced. (East Lewisburg Lumber & Mfg. Co. v. Marsh, 91 Pa. St., 96; Ruple v. Bindley, 91 Pa. St., 296; Taylor v. Lynch, 5 Gray [Mass.], 49; Payne v. Mayor, 4 Ala., 333; Greene v. Bartholomew, 34 Ind., 235; Spain v. Hamilton’s Administrator, 1 Wall. [U. S.], 604.) The principle of these cases has been fairly recognized by this court. (Code v. Carlton, 18 Neb., 328.) The recent case of the Union P. R. Co. v. Douglas County Bank, 42 Neb., 469, is not contrary to this rule. In that case the assignment was held subject to the claims of employes because the assignment was, construed as an assignment of the contract cum onere, and not merely an assignment of moneys to be earned in the future under the contract. In determining priorities as between different assignments of this character, the general rule is that that assignment which is first brought to the notice of the debtor has priority. Several of the above cases illustrate this principle. The assignment to Perkins and Spelts was undoubtedly founded on a valuable consideration, and in view of the principles already stated would be entitled to priority over the claims of the cross-petitioners, did they emanate from the same source and on the same account. It is suggested in argument that the cross-petitioners are entitled to priority because their work contributed to the creation of the fund, but this view is not tenable. Our mechanic’s lien law does not apply to the construction of a court house. (Ripley v. Gage County, 3 Neb., 397; Sample v. Hale, 34 Neb., 220; Lyman v. City of Lincoln, 38 Neb., 794.) In the absence of a statute creating such a lien one obtains no specific lien upon a fund merely because his industry assisted in creating it.

The principal argument in favor of appellees is that the indebtedness to the plaintiffs was the individual indebtedness of Chidester, and that the assignment of the moneys accruing to Chidester and Barras to secure this individual debt of Chidester was inoperative as against the creditors of the partnership.. It is certainly well settled in the jurisprudence of this state that when a partnership is dissolved or is insolvent its assets will in a court of equity be treated as a trust fund for the payment of partnership creditors, and that one partner or the creditors of one partner will not be permitted to divert the assets to the prejudice of the partnership creditors. (Till’s Case, 3 Neb., 261; Bowen v. Billings, 13 Neb., 439; Roop v. Herron, 15 Neb., 73; Caldwell v. Bloomington Mfg. Co., 17 Neb., 489; Smith v. Jones, 18 Neb., 481; Rothell v. Grimes, 22 Neb., 526; Banks v. Steele, 27 Neb., 138; Tolerton v. McLain, 35 Neb., 725.) The case of Roop v. Herron, supra, would, indeed, be very closely in point and decisive in favor of the appellees here, were it not that in the former case the indebtedness contracted by the individual partner was very ■clearly his own debt, and was not used in any manner on behalf of the firm.

We, therefore, have two rules well established. The first that the assignment to the plaintiffs was one which, in ■equity, is valid, and would have priority over the claims of the cross-petitioners if all the claims emanated from the same source, and upon the same account. Second — That one member of an insolvent partnership, especially after dissolution, may not dispose of partnership property to the exclusion of partnership creditors. This brings us to the crucial questions in this case. Was the indebtedness to plaintiffs the individual debt of Chidester? Do the cross-petitioners occupy the position of partnership creditors? and, finally, is the fund in dispute partnership assets?

We have no doubt in resolving the last two questions. It was beyond the power of Chidester and Barras to dissolve their partnership in such a manner as to affect the rights of the county, or those of strangers, under the court house contract. This fact they recognized and did not seek to combat. While they arranged between themselves a special settlement of the matters growing out of this contract, it was recognized that Barras’ liability to third persons continued %nd he took a bond to indemnify him therefrom. He also expressly authorized Chidester to use the firm name in prosecuting the contract. For the purpose of completing existing contracts a partnership continues after it is otherwise dissolved; and while the partners may change their relations as between themselves in regard to such contracts, their relations to third persons continue the same. We have no doubt that the fund in dispute, notwithstanding the agreement of Chidester and Barras as to its disposition, remained as between them, the county, and the cross-petitioners partnership assets.

The remaining question is one of greater difficulty. The appellees argue that the loan to Chidester cannot be treated as a partnership transaction because one partner, after dissolution, can make no new contract; but we have seen that Chidester was given power to complete the existing court house contract, and incidentally, by necessary implication, the power to make new contracts with strangers for the purpose of completing that contract.

In Mason v. Tiffany, 45 Ill., 392, George B. Tiffany & Co. made a contract with Mason and others for the manufacture of a number of boilers. Before their delivery Tiffany died. The surviving partners, who continued the business in the old name, received the boilers and in the firm name executed notes for the purchase price. It was held that the estate of Tiffany was liable upon the notes because they were merely given in the fulfillment of a contract made before the dissolution.

In Butchart v. Dresser, 10 Hare [Eng.], 453*, A and B were partners as commission brokers, and also bought and sold shares on their own account. The partnership was dissolved, and thereafter A deposited with certain bankers shares which the firm before dissolution had contracted to buy, and obtained advances to pay for the shares on the security of the deposit, signing a power in the name of the firm to sell the shares if the debt was not paid in a certain time. It was held that in the completion of the contract made before dissolution one partner had the power to borrow in the firm name and pledge the partnership assets to secure payment. This case was affirmed on appeal. (Butchart v. Dresser, 4 De Gex, M. & G. [Eng.], 542.)

We are aware that in Levi v. Latham, 15 Neb., 509, this court held that one partner in a non-trading partnership cannot bind his copartner by a promissory note made in the firm name, unless he has express authority thei’efor, or the giving of such note is necessary to the carrying on of the business, or is customary in similar partnerships; but we think this case would fall within one of the exceptions. If the borrowing of this money was necessary to complete the court house contract, Chidester would have authority to borrow it and pledge the firm’s credit for its payment. We hold, therefore, that under the terms of the dissolution and the facts of the case Chidester had power to borrow money to complete the court house on the credit of the firm. The question is, did he do so? The note was; signed by Chidester alone, and, as we have said, there is no evidence that the plaintiffs, in becoming sureties, relied on the use of the money in building the court house. They did rely on the assignment of the fund, but not on the personal credit of the partnership.

In Habig v. Layne, 38 Neb., 743, one partner purchased materials to be used in the construction of a building which was being erected by the partnership. The contract for the material was in writing and in the name of the individual partner. It was held that it was a question of fact for the determination of the jury whether the contract was that of the individual or of the firm.

In Holland v. Fuller, 13 Ind., 195, A and B had indorsed the paper of the firm C and D. C died. A and B then indorsed the individual paper of D on his own security alone. With the proceeds of this individual paper D paid off the partnership paper on which A and B were liable. D failed and assigned to A and B certain property, including assets of the late firm of C and D. It was held that the assignment of these assets was void and that A and B could not be substituted in the place of the original creditors of the firm. This case is authority for holding that the mere fact that Chidester used the proceeds of the note in the construction of the court house would not entitle the plaintiffs to rank as partnership creditors. - •

In Hayden v. Cretcher, 75 Ind., 108, after the dissolution of a partnership, one partner, who had agreed to pay the debts of the firm, borrowed money to pay the firm debts and executed a note in the firm name. The payee of the note did not lend the money on the credit of the firm or on that of the retiring partner. He advanced the money before the note was executed and did not know that the note was to be in the firm name. It was held to be the individual debt of the borrowing partner, and the fact that the money was used to pay the firm’s debts did not render the retiring partner liable.

We think, therefore, that the plaintiffs can claim nothing merely because the money was used for the purpose of the partnership. The question is not what was the money used for,but upon whose credit was plaintiffs’ indorsementobtained. The transaction was with Chidester; they knew of the dissolution; they signed his individual note and in their petition in this action they recite that they signed the note “for the purpose of aiding the said Chidester to perform said contract * * * and thereby enable said defendant to procure a loan.” The petition, then, in alleging the payment by the plaintiff of the note says:“Whereby the said W. J. Chidester became and is now indebted to the plaintiffs,” and the prayer is for judgment against Chidester. The plaintiffs did not even make Barras a defendant. He came in by a petition of intervention. We think the finding of the trial court that this was the individual debt of Chidester is supported by the evidence. This being true, Chidester had no right, to the exclusion of partnership creditors, to pledge partnership funds to secure the debt, and the assignment was void as to the partnership creditors.

The appellants place much reliance upon the case of Warren v. Martin, 24 Neb., 273. We do not think the ease in anywise conflicts with the view we have taken. All that case decides is that one partner may pay his individual debt out of the funds of the partnership when his interest justifies it, and that his creditor receiving partnership funds in payment will be protected either by the acquiescence of the other partners, or by ignorance of the fact that the partner paying the money was not authorized to pay it out of that fund. In this case there is no pretense that the relations of the parties were not understood by the plaintiffs. They chose to become sureties for the individual indebtedness of Chidester; they knew the partnership had been dissolved except for the purpose of completing this contract, and they were bound to know that Chidester could not transfer to them partnership assets to secure his individual debt to the prejudice of partnership creditors.

Judgment aeeirmed.

Noryal, C. J., not sitting.