Stearns v. Lawrence

83 F. 738, 28 C.C.A. 66, 1897 U.S. App. LEXIS 2136

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
• Decided: December 7, 1897
• Docket: No. 523
• Status: Published

Opinion

CLARK, District Judge,

after stating the case, delivered the opinion of the court.

The discussion of the case at bar in this court has not taken so wide a range as it apparently did in the court below. In the brief and argument in this court, counsel for appellant have urged two principal objections as grounds for reversal: (1) It is insisted that the proof does not sustain the charge that appellant, Stearns, at the time the Anderson & Griffin note was taken, and other paper of the bank surrendered, had knowledge of the existence of the Baker guaranty, on account of which the balance of this note was subsequently lost to the bank; and (2) the statute of limitation is relied on. This second defense was briefly disposed of by the court below by stating that all knowledge of the real facts of this transaction was concealed by Stearns from the bank until a time clearly short of the time prescribed by the statute of limitation, which has been suggested as applicable to the case.

The precise language in which the appellant undertakes to avail himself of the statute of limitation, as stated in the answer, is this:

“And tbis defendant avers that if said transaction was a violation of sections 5137 and 5200 of the Revised Statutes of the United States, which this defendant does not admit, but expressly denies, then that all right of action for such violation, if any exists, has been and is barred by the statute of limitations.”

In regard to this point, counsel in the brief say:

“This suit is for the statutory penalty, and therefore is barred 'by the United States statute of limitations. Itev. St. § 1047. Xo suit * * * for any penalty or forfeiture, pecuniary or otherwise, accruing under the laws of the United States, shall be maintained, unless the same is commenced within five years from the time when the penally or forfeiture accrued.”

It is obvious without further statement that the supposed application of the statute of limitation to this case grows out of a total misconception of the character of the suit and the ground on which it proceeds. This suit, is in no sense a suit for a penalty or forfeiture for the violation of any of the acts of congress in relation to banking associations, but is a suit to recover damages for the injury to the hank and its creditors from the negligence and bad faith of its managing officer, occupying a trust relation to the stockholders and to the assets in his hands for management belonging to the bank. We dismiss this point, therefore, with the simple announcement that the statute of limitation relied on has no place whatever in, or application to, the facts of this case. It is true that in the bill there is an allegation that the Baker Lumber Company was formed fraudulently for (he purpose of enabling Baker to obtain a loan at the bank in excess of the limit prescribed by statute, but the suit was not predicated on this fact, and such fact was alleged merely as a circumstance throwing light on the transaction actually involved. As was properly observed by the court below: “This is not the gravamen of the charge', but it casts some light upon his subsequent proceedings.”

In regard to the other defense, it will more narrowly draw the exact limits of the question to state that the bill alleges that the transaction resulting in the purchase of the Anderson & Griffin note was conducted by Stearns personally without the knowledge of any other director or officer of the bank. The testimony clearly shows this is so, and Stearns admits that he conducted the transaction throughout. There is not a suggestion in the pleadings or proof that any other officer of the bank had anything whatever to do with, it or any notice or knowledge of it.

A part of the evidence on which the case was heard in the court below consisted of portions of the printed record in (he case of Anderson & Griffin against the Northern National Bank, of Big Rapids, Mich., and Stearns, in (.he state court, which resulted in a decree canceling the Anderson & Griffin note, including the bill and answer of the hank and Stearns, the decree of the state circuit court, and the decree of the state supreme court, affirming the decree of the circuit court. Both of these decrees were prepared, and stated the result: in general terms, without distinctly showing the speciñc facts found by the courts, and on which the judgments rested. The decree of the state circuit court adjudged that the bank and Stearns both had full and complete notice and knowledge of the written agreement and guaranty of Baker, and the right: of the complainants to a rebate from the principal sum named in the note and mortgage on account of the shortage in the pine lumber*, and that, having such knowledge, they were not holders in good faith. In the decree of the supreme court the same facts were found, with the further finding that the defendants below, the bank and Stearns, had notice'of the fact that the deficiency existed at the time the bank acquired the note and mortgage. The complainant introduced no parol testimony to show the precise facts found, and on which the judgments of those courts were actually pronounced; and the argument now is that the complainant has failed to make out a case, because it is consistent with these decrees to say that the bank obtained knowledge otherwise than through Stearns and through Steams only. In other words, the decrees do not distinctly show that they were based on the finding that the bank was affected with knowledge, and its right defeated through Steams and his knowledge only. In support of this position, the insistence is that this court is limited to the pleadings and the final decrees pronounced, which constitute part of the record, and that the court may not look to the opinion of the supreme court of Michigan for the purpose of determining the facts passed upon in .the case. It is conceded, or at least not controverted, that, if the court may look to the opinion of the supreme court of Michigan, it discloses distinctly, that the decree of that court was based upon the proposition that the bank had knowledge of the Baker guaranty by reason of the knowledge of its president and managing officer, Stearns, and Steams only. The opinion clearly shows that this fact was distinctly passed upon, and. if this question of fact was considered and settled in that case, the decree is, as to such fact, conclusive, although Steams and the bank were both defendants. Wilson’s Ex’r v. Deen, 121 U. S. 525, 7 Sup. Ct. 1004; Louis v. Brown Tp., 109 U. S. 163, 3 Sup. Ct. 92; Corcoran v. Canal Co., 94 U. S. 741; Southern Pac. R. Co. v. U. S., 168 U. S. 18, 18 Sup. Ct. 18. Steams having been notified by service of process, and being directly interested in the subject-matter of that litigation, and having actually controlled the proceedings for the defense, the case falls within the doctrine of Robbins v. Chicago City, 4 Wall. 657; Chicago City v. Robbins, 2 Black, 418; Railway Co. v. Twiss, 35 Neb. 271, 272, 53 N. W. 76; Parr v. State,'71 Md. 236, 17 Atl. 1020; Drennan v. Bunn, 124 111. 176,16 N. E. 100; Western & A. R. R. v. City of Atlanta, 74 Ga. 777; Davis v. Smith, 79 Me. 357,10 Atl. 55, and cases cited. We are not to be understood as extending the rule beyond the principle of the Robbins Case. . From a comparison of the Robbins Case and its facts with Minnesota Co. v. Chamberlain, 3 Wall. 704, relied on by appellant, it will clearly appear that the former case controls the one at bar, and that the latter case and others cited are not applicable.

It is not necessary or practically useful here to consider the distinction between a former adjudication of the same fact when specially pleaded as an estoppel and when admitted in evidence, the conclusive effect being the same. The question is, then, presented whether the written opinion of that court filed in the case constitutes a part of the record, or whether, regardless of the question whether it is technically a part of the record, the opinion may be examined for the purpose of determining the points adjudged, in order to give effect to the judgment of the court as an estoppel on the parties, so far as the same issue now involved was passed upon in that case. In regard to this question, we do not think there is any very serious difficulty. The constitution of the state of Michigan .section 10, art. 6) declares that “the decisions of the supreme court shall be in writing, signed by the judges concurring therein. Any judge dissenting therefrom shall give the reasons of such dissent in writing, under his signature. All such opinions shall be ñled in the office of the clerk of the supreme court.” "We remark that if the opinion thus filed, as required by the constitution of the state, may not be examined for the purpose of determining the real points passed upon in the case, so as to give full effect to the judgment as res adjudicata, it is difficult to understand the full purpose or motive in making the constitutional requirement that the opinion shall be filed in the cause, and preserved. The circuit court concluded that there could be no higher or better evidence of what was decided than the written opiidon itself, upon which the formal decree was based, and in this view we concur.

In support of the right and duty of the court to examine that opinion for the purpose of ascertaining the point actually decided, cases will be found referred to by the circuit judge. In the examination of this question, the distinction between the different cases must always be closely observed, growing out of the purpose for which it was sought to treat the opinion as part' of the record, and depending, further, upon whether the opinion offered is one of a court of last resort, filed as required by law. For illustration, the question may arise as to what constiiutes a part of the record on writ of error to a judgment at law or on appeal from a decree in chancery. The question may again be presented in a case where the judgment is relied on as an estoppel, as in the case at bar, or on writ of error from the supreme court of the United States to the court of highest authority in a state, in which that court must examine the record for the purpose of determining whether or not such question was presented and decided as authorizes that court to review the judgment of the court of highest authority in the state. Whether or not attention to these different phases of the question would make it possible to reconcile the cases, and explain the apparent conflict of opinion upon the admissibility of the written opinion of a court as evidence to identify the question decided, we will not now stop to inquire.

In Corcoran v. Canal Co., 94 U. S. 741, the opinion of the court of appeals of Maryland was made an exhibit for the purpose of identifying.the point decided in a former suit, and to give effect to the judgment in that suit as an estoppel. It was held that the par-lies were bound by the decree in that case, and the opinion of the court of appeals of Maryland was examined for the purpose of determining the issue passed upon. The court, having referred to the opinion, said:

“The opinion of the court of appeals of Maryland, found In the record as an exhibit, and reported in 32 Md. 501, while conceding tlic general rule that where the annual or semiannual interest on a bond is represented by a distinct coupon, capable of separation and removal from the main instrument, it bears interest from its maturity, if unpaid, holds that, under the special statute of Maryland authorizing the pledge by the canal company of its revenues for the payment of these preferred bonds and interest, and waiving her own existing priority of claim on these revenues, simple interest only was meant, and that, as to the lien on those revenues and tolls, the interest on the coupons was not included in the lien. The opinion, undoubtedly, decided the very point in controversy here. It is said, however, that this is only an opinion, and that, unless a judgment or decree is produced, there can be no estoppel, and the principle; asserted is undoubtedly correct. But, in a stipulation signed by the parties to the present suit, it is agreed ‘that a decree has been imssed by the circuit court of Baltimore 'city making distribution of the net revenues of said canal company, and ordering their payments from time to time as the same accrue, in conformity with the said opinion.’ The opinion of the court, then, by virtue of that decree, has become, by the well-settled principles of-,jurisprudence, the law of the case as to the parties who are bound by that decree.”

So, too, in Last Chance Min. Co. v. Tyler Min. Co., 157 U. S. 690, 15 Sup. Ct. 736, the question was presented how far the court might look to the written opinion to explain what was in issue, and what was determined by the judgment or decree relied on as a bar or estoppel. Mr. Justice Brewer, speaking for the court, said:

“It is said that the statutes of Idaho do not provide for findings of fact in a case like this, and that, therefore, the recitals in such findings must be ignored. If it be true that the statutes of Idaho do not authorize findings of fact, it is none the less true that such findings are a declaration by the court of the matter it determines. Even if not conclusive as against all testimony, they are certainly very persuasive evidence of what the -court did in fact decide. In Lumber Co. v. Buchtel, 101 U. S. 638, the judgment relied upon as an estoppel was based upon the finding of a referee, and it was said: ‘This finding, having-gone into the judgment, is conclusive as to the fact found in all subsequent controversies between the parties on the contract. Every defense requiring the negation of this fact is met and overthrown by that adjudication.’ In Legrand v. Rixey’s Adm’r, 83 Va. 862, 877, 3 S. E. 864, it appeared that the pleadings and judgment left a doubt as to the precise matter decided. Reference to an opinion of the trial court, for the purpose of making certain that which otherwise was uncertain was approved. We quote from the supreme court of appeals: ‘In the case at bar, the trial judge filed with the papers in the cause his reasons for his deejsion, which the decree itself shows was done for the express purpose of explaining his decision. This being the ease, the opinion of the trial judge thus referred to in the decree becomes a part of the record, and may be looked to, and is even more reliable to explain in doubtful cases what was in issue and what was determined than mere extrinsic evidence to the same end. We do not mean that the mere opinion of the trial judge, which may happen to be in writing, and copied into the record, constitutes a part thereof; but we do say that where the decree (as in this case) refers to the opinion of the trial judge in terms that make it clear that the object was to refer to it to explain what was determined, and the reasons therefor, then such opinion becomes legitimately a part of the record, and must be looked to, to explain what was in issue, and what was determined by the judgment or decree in question. See Burton v. Mill, 78 Va. 468, at page 470.’ ”

For the same purpose, the opinions of the courts of highest authority have been examined in many other cases, as the decisions of that court show, but without any question being expressly made on the fight or duty of the court to do so. It must certainly be regarded as an established practice in that court to refer to such opinions as evidence of the issue, and the points determined, in the case of a judgment or decree stating the result of the litigation in general terms only.

In Miles v. Strong, 68 Conn. 273, 36 Atl. 55, the supreme court of Connecticut, in disposing of the same question, said:

“The court permitted the plaintiffs, against the objection of the defendants, to read to -it from the opinion of this court, referred to in the finding ‘as bearing upon tlie issues in the case.’ One of the issues was whether the judgment in that case was a bar to this suit, and that depended on the further fact whether the judgment in question had settled the matters In litigation in the present suit; and, to ascertain this, the court below clearly might have read the opinion for itself, and it was no error to permit the plaintiffs to read it in the manner and for the purpose stated.’!

Tn Strong v. Grant, 2 Mackey, 218, this precise question was presented to the supreme court of Maryland for decision, the decree in a former suit being relied on as res judicata. Mr. Justice Hackner, speaking for the court, said:

“It is necessary, ‘before proceeding to apply the tests laid down by this rule to the matter before us, to consider a preliminary objection insisted on by the appellant, that we are confined to the written record in the proceeding pleaded in bar, and have no power to examine the opinion of the supreme court, or resort: to any other means of ascertaining what was the matter really in controversy in the equity suit, and actually settled by the decree relied on. In examining this question in the case of Cromwell v. County of Sac, 94 U. S. 353, the supreme court says: ‘But, where the second action between the same parties is upon a different claim or demand, the judgment in the prior action operates as an estoppel only as to those matters in issue or points controverted upon the determination of which the finding or verdict was rendered. In all cases, therefore, where it is sought to apply the estoppel of a judgment rendered upon one cause of action to matters arising in a suit upon a different cause of action, the inquiry must always be as to tlie point or question actually litigated and determined in the original action, not what might have been thus litigated and determined. Only upon such matters is the judgment conclusive in another action.’ On page 354, the judge, speaking of the decision in Miles v. Caldwell, 2 A Wall. 35, says: ‘The court held, alter full consideration, where the form of the issue was so vague as not to show the questions of fact submitted to the jury, it was competent to prove by parol testimony what question or questions of fact were thus submit!ed and necessarily passed upon by them,’ etc. In the case before it, the court was considering the effect and scope of its previous decisions in a. case which was relied upon as res judicata in the canse thus pending, and in this connection it says, on page 359: ‘Heading the record of the lower court [in the first case] by the opinion and judgment of this court, it must be considered that the matters adjudged in that case were these,’ etc. So, in Steam-Packet Co. v. Sickles, 21 How. 344, the court declared that ‘extrinsic evidence would be admitted to prove that the particular question was material, and -was in fact contested, and that it was referred to the decision of tlie jury.’ See, also, Campbell v. Rankin, 99 U. S. 263; 1 Greenl. Kv. § 532. In the light of these authorities, we are authorized and required to examine the opinion of the supreme court reported in the case of Grant v. Strong, 18 AVall. 624, with a view of ascertaining what that court really intended to- settle by its decision reversing the decree below. And from that examination it appears to be too plain for controversy that the only question designed -to be passed upon in that judgment was whether Strong was entitled to a mechanic’s lien upon Grant’s real estate described in the notice tiled in the clerk’s office.”

As the court points out further on in the same opinion, the supreme court of the United States, in Phelps v. Harris, 101 U. S. 370, followed out its usual practice in examining and citing the opinion of the supreme court of Mississippi for the purpose of showing the scope and extent of the decree in that case, and the point really intended to be settled by that decision. See, also, New Orleans, M. & C. R. Co. v. City of New Orleans, 14 Fed. 373; 1 Freem. Judgm. § 273; 2 Black, Judgm. § 630; Satterlee v. Matthewson, 2 Pet. 410.

We hold, therefore, that it was competent for the court to examine, and its duty to examine, the opinion of the supreme court of Michigan for the purpose of determining the question of fact really settled and intended to be settled by tbe decision of- that court. It is needless to state, wbat clearly appears from wbat bas been said, that we are dealing witb tbe case where a former decree is relied on as res judicata, accompanied witb tbe opinion filed pursuant to tbe requirements of law disclosing tbe issue settled by the decree.. It may be remarked, further, that tbe opinion can be examined for tbe purpose only of construing a general decree and giving it just scope and effect, and not for tbe purpose of changing or modifying tbe decree.

Tbe fact, then, being established that tbe appellant, Stearns, took the transfer of tbe Anderson & Griffin paper with full knowledge of the Baker guaranty, appellant’s counsel further insist that this does not establish such negligence as renders tbe appellant liable for tbe loss which resulted to the bank. Tbe contention is that it would be necessary to further show that, at tbe time tbe paper was transferred to tbe bank, tbe appellant knew there was a shortage which would defeat tbe collection of the debt in whole or in part under the Baker guaranty. Tbe decree of the supreme court of Michigan expressly finds that a deficiency existed at tbe time that the bank and Stearns acquired the note and mortgage, and that they had notice of the same, and, as that court further settled the proposition that knowledge on the part of the bank was acquired through Stearns, it is difficult to see <on what ground this part of the argument can be rested. The fact of knowledge of tbe deficiency was not only decided, but this, in our opinion, is not necessary to sustain tbe decree of the circuit court; for when the appellant, as the managing officer of the bank, took the Anderson & Griffin note with knowledge that it was burdened with •the guaranty which might destroy its value and cause loss to tbe bank, it was such negligence as clearly rendered him liable to account for any loss which resulted. In his position of managing officer, he was required, in relation to the stockholders as well as the creditors of the corporation, to exercise good faith and reasonable care and judgment. We are at a -loss to see on what reasonable ground it could be maintained that there was either good faith or good judgment in purchasing with the assets of the bank paper representing so large a sum, affected with an infirmity liable, if not certain, to destroy its value. As trustee, Stearns was under a duty of fidelity and prudence such as a careful man would exercise in his own affairs of like magnitude and importance. He is presumed to contemplate and to intend the natural consequences of his acts. Certainly, in the exercise of reasonable caution and prudence, it must have been foreseen that a loss on the Anderson & Griffin note was not only liable, but likely, to result.

In Agnew v. U. S., 165 U. S. 53, 17 Sup. Ct. 235, the court below had given an instruction in the following language:

“The law presumes that every man intends the legitimate consequence of his own acts. Wrongful acts knowingly or intentionally committed can neither he justified nior excused on the ground of innocent intent. The color of the act determines the complexion of the intent. The intent to injure or defraud is presumed wihen the unlawful act, which results in loss or injury, is proved to have been knowingly committed. It is a well-settled rule, which the law applies in both criminal and civil cases, that the intent is presumed and inferred from the result of the action. If, therefore, the funds, moneys, or credits of the First National Bank of Ocala are shown to have been either embezzled or willfully misapplied by the accused, and converted to his own use, whereby, as a necessary, natural, or legitimate consequence, the association’s capital was reduced or placed beyond the control of the directors, or its ability to meet its engagements or obligations or to continue its business was lessened or destroyed, the intent to injure or defraud the hank may be presumed.”

This instruction was declared by the supreme court to be “unexceptionable as matter of law.”

See, also, Trustees v. Bosseiux, 3 Fed. 817.

In the amount of the recovery against Stearns was included the expense incurred by the bank, in the defense of the suit brought by Anderson & Griffin against the bank to enforce the Baker guaranty; and it is said there is error in this respect, because no demand was made on appellant to defend that suit. Any formal demand would have been an idle ceremony, as process in the case was evidently served on Stearns; and it appears that he actively conducted the defense.for the bank, as well as himself. It is certain that a recovery, which did not include this item of expense, would come short of doing full justice to the bank, its shareholders and creditors. The expense incurred in. the defense of that suit was a natural, legitimate consequence of the wrongful act of Stearns, knowingly and deliberately committed in violation of Ms trust, and was a result which no prudent man could fail to foresee and contemplate as natural and probable. We think the sum thus expended constitutes properly an item in the amount of damage, for which decree was rendered against the appellant.

Some other minor points are suggested rather than argued in the brief, although counsel for appellant took occasion to say expressly that no objection was waived. These suggested points aré chiefly in aid of the principal defense relied on, rather than as constituting sufficient separate' defenses. We have examined these in relation to the facts, and do not think they are sufficiently serious to require separate discussion. We are fully satisfied with the result of this case, and the decree of the circuit court is accordingly affirmed.

NOTE. Since this case was decided, the opinion of the supreme court of iho United .States in Thompson v. Railway Co., 18 Sup. Ct. 121, has been announced, which seems to sustain the holding in this case that the court is authorized to examine the opinion of the supreme court of Michigan for the purpose of ascertaining the grounds of the judgment.