M'LEAN V. CLARK.
861
McLEAN
v.
CLARK.
(Oircuit OOU1't, E. D. Michigan. 1. EQUITY
May 25, 1885.)
J:i'EE-OVICHRULING DF:MURREH.
Where a demurrer to a bill in equity is overruled, and defendant ha;; leave to answer, the plaintiff is not entitled to tax a docket fee of $:lU, as upon a final hearing.
2.
SAME-DoCKET
WHEN TAXABLE.
Such docKet tee clln only be taxed upon a hearing which is final in fuct, and results in a disposition of the merits of the castJ.
In Equity. On application to tax a docket fee of $20, in favor of the plaintiff. Defendant demurred to the bill, and the demurrer was overruled. Leave was given to answer over, and an answer was filed. Plaintiff then applied for the taxation of a docket fee of $20, upon overruling the demurrer, as upon a final hearing. Mr. Angell, for plaintiff. BROWN, J. By general equity rule 34 the defendant has a legal right to answer the bill, upon the overruling of his demurrer, upon payment of costs up to that period. Under such circumstances it seems to me that the hearing upon the demurrer is not a "final hearing" within the meaning of Rev. St. § 824. It is trne that in the Jases of Alley v. Nolt, 111 U. S. 472, S. C. 4 Sup. Ct. Rep. 495, .lnd Scharff v. Levy, 112 U. S. 711, S. C. 5 Sup. Ct. Rep. 360, it was held that a hearing upon a general demurrer to a complaint, upon the ground that it did not state facts sufficient. to constitute a cause of action, was "a trial" within the meaning of the removal act of March, 1875. We apprehend, however, that this principle does not necessarily control the question before us. In determining what shall be ::onsidered as a trial of the action, before which the petition for removal must be filed, the court naturally treats that hearing as a trial whichmny, although it will not necessarily, dispose of the whole case. A different construction would enable a party to speculate upon the result of his demurrer in the state court,-accepting its decision if favorable, and removing the case if adverse to him. But in deter. mining what has been "a trial or final hearing" which will authorize the taxation of a docket fee, we think that regard should be had to the result of such hearing or trial, and that w-e should treat that only as a final hearing in law which is a final hearing in fact. Hence, if, in this case, the demurrer had been sustained, and the bill dismissed, the hearing of such demurrer would undoubtedly have been a final hearing, within the meaning of section 824. Tbis I understand to have been the ruling in Price v. Coleman, 22 FED. REP. 6U4; although the facts of the case are not fully stated in the report. But if, upon the hearing, the demurrer is overruled, and leave is given to answer, the hearing is not final and does not dispose of the case.
862
F.EDERAL RE,POR'I'ER.
That the words "final hearing" do not always receive the same construction is apparent from a reference to those cases wherein the question, what is an appealable decree, is considered. The practice in this connection is well settled that it is only such decrees as decide and dispose of the whole merits of the case, and reserve no further questions or directions for the future judgment of the court that are final decrees from which an appeal will lie to the supreme conrt. Beebe v. Russell, 19 How. 283. In The Palmyra, 10 Wheat. 502, upon a libel for a tortious ieizure, an appeal was taken from a decree restoring the vessel, with costs and damages, but the damages had not been assessed, and it was held that the decree was not final. See, also, Chace v. Vasquez, 11 Wheat. 429; Pulliam v. Ch1'istian, 6 How. 209. So, also, in the case of The Mary Eddy, (Mordecai v. Lindsay,) 19 How. 199, it was held that a decree in favor of the libelant upon the merits, with a reference to a commissioner to report the damages, was not a final decree from which an appeal could be taken. In Coyv.Perkins, 13 FED. REP. 111, Mr. Justice GRAY and Judge LOWELL, held that upon the face of this statute the intention of the legislature was manifest that it was only where some question of law or fact, involved in or leading to the final disposition actually made of the case, has been submitted, or at least presented, to the consideration of the court that there can be said to have been a final hearing which warrants the taxation of a docket fee. See, also, Huntress v. Epsom, 15 FED. REP. 732. A different rule has apparently been adopted in one or two of the more recent decisions in New York. In these cases the definition of the words "trial" and "final hearing" used in the removal cases was treated as controlling; but for the reasons before stated it seems to me that where the question arises upon proceedings taken after the hearing, that can only be treated as a final hearing or decree which disposes of the merits of the case, and virtually puts an end to the litigation. I am authorized to say that the circuit judge ooncurs in this opinion.
OENTRAL TRUST CO.
V.
WABASH, ST. L.
&
P. RY. CO.
863
CENTRAL TRUST CO. and another v. WABASH, ST., L. & P. By. Co. and others.! WABASH, ST. L. & P. Ry. CO. v. CENTRAL TRUST Co. and others.1 (Oircuit Court, E. D. Idi88ouri. 1. April 16, 1885.)
RECEIVEUS-HAILROADS-MoRTGAGOR AND MORTGAGEE-LESSOR AND LESSEEMANAGEMENT OF NON-PAYING BRANCHES AND LEASED LINES,
The Wabash, etc., Hailway Company is composed of a numher of consolidated railroad companies, and has III its system a number of leased lines. BE>fore enlering the consolidation, the different companies composing it had mortgaged their respective properties to secure issues of bonds. A fter the consolidation was formed, the consolidi\ted company issued bonds and gave a general mortgage to secure their payment.. Subsequently, hecoming unable to pay the interest on its bonded indebtedness, it applied for the appointment of receivers for the benefit of all concerned. Heceivers were appointed, and ordered to keep the system in the condition of a going concern, I"lt to keep the accounts of the different lines separately. The court authorized them to issue their certificates in order to pay lien claims, and the certificates so authorized were made a first lien upon the entire system. Some of the branches earned more than enough to pay expenses, and the receivers, without the sanction of the court, used this surplus in the payment of lien claims, and general running expenses instead of issuing certificates. Some of the branches belonging to the company and some of the leased lines were found to fall far short of paying running expenses. This state of facts having been brought to the notice of the court by a report of the receivers, and instructions asked for concerning the future management of the system, and it having been suggested that the leases on non-paying lines should be canceled, and all parties in interest having been heard, It was held: (1) That where any subdivision earns a surplus over expenses, the rental or Bubdivisional interest should be p,lid to the extent, and only to t.he extent, of that (2) That where any surplus earned by a subdivision has bee·n diverted by the receivers for general expenses, it should be made good at once. (3) That where a subdivision earns no more than it.s operating expenses, no rent or suhdivisional interest should be paid. (4) That where a lessor or subdivisional mortgagee desires possession or foreclosure, he should have liberty to assert his rights. (5) That the entire system should be kept in the condition of a going concern while it remains in the receivers' hands, (6) That where a suhdivision fails to pay operating expenses, they should, if possihle, be reduced until they do not exceed its income. (7) That where it is necessary, in order to keep a subdivision in the condition of a going concern, the receivers shall issue certificates which shall be a first lien on the system, for the pm'pose of raising necessary funds, and all equities respecting such certificates should be adjusted in the final decree. 2. SAME. I
After the appointment of receivers in the suit instituted by the Wabash road, the trustees in the general mortgage bronght suit to foreclose, and the two cases were consolidated. After the consolidation the complainants in the foreclosure suit moved that the receivers who had been appointed be reappointed as their receivers; but the order asked for contemplated a seizure of part on Iy of the properties then in the receivers' possessioll. Held, that the receivers who had been appointed, acted neither for the mortgagor nor the mortgagee, but for the court, and for that reason, and beeause the court had taken possession of the system, with the intention of preserving it in its integrity, tIlt; motion must be overruled.
Consolidated Cause.
In equity.
1Reported by Benj. Ii'. Rex, Esq., of the 8t. Louis bar;