Marionneaux v. Dardenne

Supreme Court of Louisiana
Marionneaux v. Dardenne, 28 La. Ann. 457 (La. 1876)
Ell, How, Ludelestg, Wyly

Marionneaux v. Dardenne

Opinion of the Court

Ludelestg, C. J.

This is an appeal from an order of seizure and salo. It has been often decided by this court that the only question which can be raised in such an appeal is whether the evidence authorized the fiat of the judge. Was the judge a guo authorized to grant the order of seizure and sale in this case ? .

The plaintiff represents that she is the-natural tutrix of tlio minor heir of her husband, in whose favor the mortgage was executed by the defendant, and she prays for an order of seizure and sale, etc. Accompanying the petition is an authentic act of mortgage in favor of the father *458■of the minor aforesaid, and the .obligation of the defendant secured by the mortgage, which is not indorsed.

The Code of Practice declares that “ executory process can only be re-’ Sorted to in the following cases: when tho creditor’s right arises from an act importing a confession of judgment, and which contains a. privilege or mortgage in his favor.” 732. “ An act is said to import a confession of judgment in matters of privilege and mortgage when it is passed before a notary public, or other officer fulfilling the same functions, in the presence of two witnesses, and tho debtor has declared or acknowledged tho debt for which he gives the privilege or mortgage.” 733. “When the creditor is possessed of such an act, ho may proceed against his debtor or his heirs, by causing the property subject to the privilege or mortgage to bo seized and sold on a simple petition,” etc. 734.

Thus it appears that the authentic proof which authorizes the fiat of tho judge a quo is the act importing a confession of judgment, and when the application is made to foreclose in tho name of the creditor or his heirs or succession, only this proof is required to authorize the erder. The law does not require any other proof, and wo can not perceive an]'good reason why any other proof should be required. Surely tho defendant will bo protected if he pays the debt, but should there be any possible objection to permitting tho plaintiff from proceeding to collect tho debt, the objection should be urged in an injunction suit, and not in an appeal from the order of seizure and sale.

It is therefore ordered that the judgment bo affirmed with costs of appeal.

Rehearing refused.

Dissenting Opinion

How-ell, tT.,

dissenting. It is well settled that a party must conform strictly to the requirements of the law in executory proceedings, and must show authentic evidence of the right to the writ. One of tho elements of that is the ownership of the claim — the note and mortgage. Whore a note is not indorsed by tho payee, there must be authentic evidence of its transfer either of the ownership, or tho representative capacity of the party resorting to the executory process. In this case tho plaintiff alleges that she is acting as tutrix in enforcing a mortgage securing a note drawn to the order oí E. Norbcrt Marionneaux, but not indorsed by him. The act of mortgage produced by her recites that the notes identified therewith arc indorsed. Under these circumstances, I do not think the plaintiff’s right to the writ is established. In the case of Landry vs. Landry, 12 An. 167, it was held that authentic evidence of plaintiffs appointment as administrator was essential to authorize tho issuing of the writ of seizure and sale, and in Rice vs. Davis, 14 An. 435, it was said to be unnecessary, because there was authentic evidence of *459the indorsement, and in this respect the case differed from that of Landry vs. Landry, 12 An. 167.

In all the cases where the writ has been allowed to persons in representative capacity without evidence thereof there was evidence of the indorsement of the notes.

I think plaintiff in this case has not brought herself within the strict requirements of the law in regard to executory process, and therefore must dissent.

Mr. Justice Wyly concurs in this dissenting opinion.

Reference

Full Case Name
Eugenie Marionneaux v. John A. Dardenne
Status
Published