Skillings v. Massachusetts Benefit Ass'n

15 N.E. 566, 146 Mass. 217, 1888 Mass. LEXIS 229

• Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
• Decided: March 1, 1888
• Status: Published

Opinion

Field, J.

The rexceptions in this case are meagre, but it appears that the defendant was an association doing business under the provisions of the Pub. Sts. c. 115, and that it issued two certificates of membership on the life of Edward A. Clapp for sums of money to be paid on his death to the plaintiff, who was described in the application as “ dependent.” The plaintiff was not a relative of Clapp, and his only relation to him was that of a creditor. The declaration alleged that the certificates were issued on February 18, 1885, and March 9, 1885, respectively, and that Clapp died on February 3, 1886. The reference in the exceptions to the Pub. Sts. c. 115, plainly shows that this is a corporation organized “ for the purpose of assisting the widows, orphans, or other persons dependent upon deceased members.” Pub. Sts. c. 115, § 8; St. 1877, c. 204; St. 1874, c. 375.

The powers of corporations organized under these statutes were enlarged by the St. of 1882, c. 195, § 1, so as to include among the persons to be benefited other relatives of deceased members besides widows and orphans. A person whose only relation to the deceased member is that of a creditor is not a person dependent upon him within the meaning of these statutes, and the promise to pay the plaintiff is void. Such a promise is beyond the powers of the association, and contravenes the intention of the statutes under which the association was organized. The plaintiff cannot therefore maintain an action on this promise, either for his own use, or for that of any other person. Briggs v. Earl, 189 Mass. 473. American Legion of Honor v. Perry, 140 Mass. 580.

The St. of 1885, c. 183, passed after these certificates were issued, does not affect the case, for these among other reasons: that it does not distinctly appear that this corporation was such an organization as could avail itself of the rights, powers, and privileges conferred by this act (§ 1) ; or if it could, that it had ever done so; or that it had done anything that could make valid the promise to pay the plaintiff which was void when it was made.

As the designation of the plaintiff as the person enabled to receive the sums payable on the death of Clapp is void, we cannot determine in this suit to whom they should be paid, if payable to any one. Exceptions overruled.