Atlantic Mutual Fire-Insurance v. Young
Atlantic Mutual Fire-Insurance v. Young
Opinion of the Court
Two grounds of demurrer are taken, which are common to both counts, namely, first, that they set out the note declared on as payable in the alternative, to the company or to their treasurer; and, second, that they do not allege that the assessment, for non-payment of which the plaintiffs sefek to recover, was made agreeably to the act of incorporation and by-laws of the company. A third ground is taken, which applies only to the first count, that the time limited for payment of the assessment • is not alleged.
The first ground cannot be maintained.
The contract as set forth is not, as in Willoughby v. Willoughby, 5 N. H. 244, a promise to two distinct parties in the alternative, in which case the contract is held to be made with both as joint promisees. It is a contract with and promise to the company, and equally so whether described as a promise to pay to their treasurer, or to the company without reference to the treasurer. Piggott v. Thompson, 3 B. & P. 147. The same party is designated' as promisee in either case, to wit, the company. The contract is with them, upon a consideration proceeding from them, and can in no view be regarded as a contract with and promise to the company, and also the person who may be treasurer when the payment is to be made, as joint promisees. The promise is to the company to pay them, and the insertion of the words, “or their treasurer,” merely introduces a stipulation that the payment agreed to be made to them shall be considered as made to them, so as to fulfill the contract, if made to the person who may then be their treasurer.
The other ground of demurrer to both counts is well taken. The contract is alleged to he to pay in such portions and at such times as the directors may require, agreeably to the act and by-laws. The breach assigned is the non-payment of an assessment required by the directors, without alleging that it was made in conformity to
The demurrer would also seem to be well taken as to the first count, upon the ground that the time fixed for the payment of the assessment is not alleged. The contract is to pay at such times as the directors may require. The breach as set out may include an assessment ordered to be paid on some day subsequent to the commencement of the suit as well as prior.
The exception taken to the ruling of the court below sustaining the demurrer must be overruled. The plaintiff’ will probably obtain leave to- amend in that court upon such terms as will be equitable.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.