Nolte & Co. v. Their Creditors
Nolte & Co. v. Their Creditors
Opinion of the Court
The facts are stated in the opinion of the court delivered by
The petitioners state that they are creditors of the insolvent, and that they oppose the sale of a part of his property, made by the syndics, because the formalities directed by law for the alienation of it, had not been pursued in these.
That the sale was not advertised in the manner required by law.
That the conditions of sale were not made known as part of the advertisement of sale.
That no appraisement thereof was made. That a greater amount of money in hand, or cash payment, was required than the said syndics were authorised to require. That it was improper and illegal to sell said property on any terms but
They further allege, that at this sale, William Nott, W. W. Montgomery and I. Abat, became the purchasers, and that they have received rents and profits from the premises to the amount of twenty thousand dollars.
They, therefore, oppose so much of the tableau filed by the syndics as sets forth that the property was sold.
And they pray, that the syndics of the estate and the purchasers may be cited ; that the sale may be set aside, that the property in question may be declared to belong to, and form a part of the said insolvent’s estate, and be sold for the benefit of the estate; and that the purchasers account to the syndics for the rents and profits.
The syndics answered this petition by stating among other matters, not necessary to be set out, that the subject matter of the opposition had already passed into the authority of the thing adjudged. That all the tableaus filed in the estate have been homologated; and that the plaintiffs, who are privileged creditors, have already received every thing due to them.
The purchasers pleaded that they had a good title under the sale; and that in no event, were they responsible for the rents and profits.
The cause was submitted to a jury, who found for the defendants. The plaintiffs appealed.
On the first tableau of distribution filed by the syndics, the sale now attacked, was set forth, and the petitioners were carried on this tableau as privileged creditors on the proceeds, for the whole amount of their claims. This tableau was homologated, and the amount due to plaintiffs paid to them.
Subsequently it was ascertained that another person who had a higher privilege than the appellants on the property, was a creditor for a larger amount, than at first considered by the syndics. On the second tableau the fact was stated, and it necessarily followed that the plaintiffs would be compelled
Some time after the homologation, the syndics took a rule on the petitioners to pay back the amount overpaid them,, of their proportion arising out of the proceeds of the sale of the cotton press. To this rule, they pleaded among other matters, res judicata, and insisted that the matters and things presented by it, had been already settled by the tableau of distribution.
Immediately after putting in these pleas, and before any decision was had on the issjre created by them, this action was instituted* and we' Have already seen that the same defence of res judicata is made to it, which the petitioners offered to the demand of the syndics:
The failure to make opposition to the tableau and its homologation, would in an ordinary case, give to the proceedings the authority of the thing judged; but the petitioners assert that their non-opposition proceeded- from a belief that the sale of the property, produced enough to satisfy their demands. That as the tableau on the face of it, showed enough to satisfy them, they had no interest to oppose it, and cofild not have .done so successfully. ■ In other words, they contend their assent was given through error, and is not binding on them.
The question presented by these arguments, as well as the other points made, as to the legality of the sale, are by no means free from difficulty. We waive, however, a particular examination of them at this time, as there is another point in the cause, on which it must be determined.
The facts show payment has been made to that portion of the petitioners who are privileged creditors, to the whole .amount of their claims on the estate, and that the money so .paid is yet retained by them. If injury to them, be the sole ground on which they can attack the sale, and we think it is the sole ground, they have shown none to authorise this suit. . They offer proof, it is true, of the syndics having called on
It is, therefore, ordered, adjudged and decreed, that the judgment of the District Court be annulled, avoided and reversed, and that there be judgment for the defendants as in case of non-suit, with costs in both courts.
SAME CASE.
An application has been made to amend the judgment in this case, and the appellees have agreed it should be acted on without further argument. The appellants complain that they have been ordered to pay costs in a case where they succeeded in reversing the judgment below. This complaint is well founded. The rule is perfectly settled that the party cast on the appeal must pay the costs, no matter whether he succeeds in the suit or not. Our former judgment must be corrected, and made to read thus.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.