Groschen v. Page
Groschen v. Page
Opinion of the Court
Mr. Justice Terry concurred.
In Cheever v. Hays, 3 Cal. Rep., 471, we held that an assignment for the benefit of creditors was void, unless made in conformity with the statute.
The only difference betwean that case and the present is, that instead of a general assignment for the benefit of all, the present defendants have attempted, by an assignment of their assets, to protect such of their creditors as would consent to an extension of time, or a substitution of security.
The mere statement of this proposition would be sufficient as against the defendants, Page, Bacon & Co.; but the guarantors of their certificates, to whom their assets were assigned, claim that they have equities which take the case out of the rule before laid down, and that they are interested in the assets in their hands. This must depend on the nature of the assignment. The firm was insolvent, and the only way in which the property could be disposed of was by a bill in chancery, to distribute it ratably among their creditors. Instead of resorting to this method, a different one is pursued to bolster up the credit of the firm.
It is unnecessary to pass upon the ultimate liability of the guarantors, as it is not involved.
Judgment affirmed with costs.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.