New York Supreme Court, 1905

Wiggins v. Neversink Light & Power Co.

Wiggins v. Neversink Light & Power Co.
New York Supreme Court · Decided May 15, 1905 · Gaynor
47 Misc. 315; 93 N.Y.S. 853

Counsel

W. B. Boyce for motion., Homblower, Byrne, Miller & Potter opposed.

Wiggins v. Neversink Light & Power Co.

Opinion of the Court

Gaynor, J.:

In the case of corporations engaged in a public service, like railroad, water and lighting companies, and which service cannot be interrupted without inconvenience and harm to the community, courts of equity authorize its receivers of such corporations to issue certificates of indebtedness to raise money to do repairs or obtain supplies to keep the service going, and make such certificates prior liens to the mortgage indebtedness.

But in the case of corporations not engaged in such a service, there is no such practice. It is justified only on the score of public necessity, and even when so exercised has become a great abuse and wrong to mortgage bondholders in many instances, as we all know. In the time at my disposal I cannot cite or discuss the authorities.

The motion is denied.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.