Masury v. Whiton
Masury v. Whiton
Opinion of the Court
The award of an arbitrator cannot be set aside for mere errors of judgment as to the law or facts of the case submitted to him. If in making his award he keeps within his jurisdiction and is not guilty of fraud, corruption or other misconduct affecting his award, then his award is unassailable. Perkins v. Giles, 50 N. Y. 22 ; Morris Run Coal Co. v. The Salt Co., 58 Id. 667; Fudickar v. Guardian Life Ins. Co., 62 Id. 392. Here there was not an atom of proof of any misconduct on the part of the arbitrator, and we are therefore confined to the inquiry whether he kept within his jurisdiction in making his award. To determine the scope of the submission, we
Now, under these pleadings, what matters were involved, and could be the subject of investigation and litigation between the parties ? Certainly all the accounts of the co-partnership, which had not before been settled and adjusted between the parties. The purpose of the action was to ascertain how much was due to Whiton’s executors from Masury, and to compel payment of that sum; and such plainly was the purpose and scope of the arbitration.
The award embraced three items, and we will now examine each item separately to see whether as to it the arbitrator acted without jurisdiction.
First. In the complaint in the action of Whiton’s Executors v. Masury, there is an allegation that a large amount in the Titterton mortgage (so called), was still outstanding and unsettled and that more than $5,000 was due from Masury to Whiton’s executors for a deficiency on that mortgage. That was a mortgage taken from one of the employes of the firm for $10,000 to secure that amount of the money of the firm embezzled by him. Masury claimed before the arbitrator that that mortgage was taken by Whiton’s executors as a payment to them for that sum, and they claimed they took it to apply as payment for only the amount realized thereon, and that Masury was to allow them one-half of any deficiency; and both parties submitted their evidence and claims in reference thereto to the arbitrator. The mortgage was foreclosed and but little was realized thereon, and the arbitrator charged Masury with one-half of the deficiency. This was a matter clearly within his jurisdiction and we cannot perceive that Masury has any legal ground of complaint in reference thereto.
Second. The copartnership agreement provided that in case of the death of either partner the survivor should sue
But there was a second agreement dated January 1,1865, which modified the prior one, in that it was provided that in case of the death of one of the partners the surviving partner should “render to the legal representatives of the deceased partner an account of the merchandise belonging to the firm, valuing it as the then purchasable wholesale market price of the goods, and shall pay for the same in the manner provided for by the original articles of co-partnership,” and that he should “ take and pay for the store and fixtures, horses, carts, harness and house and lot in Madison Street, Brooklyn, at the cost price as shown by
Third. The only other item entering into the amount awarded is the sum of $5,000 and interest, connected with the valuation of the real estate, fixtures and machinery of the firm. The factory property stood upon the books of the firm at $90,436.17, the cost thereof. This included real estate, buildings, fixtures, machinery and other property, but no merchandise. On the 30th day of December, 1869,
The executors gave evidence before the arbitrator that they never assented to the charge of $10,000, and claimed that Masury had no right under the copartnership agreement to make the charge. The arbitrator sustained the contention of the executors, and in his award charged Masury with one-half of the $10,000 and interest thereon j and in this Masury claims that he exceeded his jurisdiction. In the first agreement it was provided that real estate, fixtures, machinery, etc., “ should be taken by the survivor at. the price or value- fixed or specified in the last inventory or account of stock taken by the partners previous to the decease of the party so dying, and any goods or assets not included in such schedule to be taken at the cost price.” This agreement remained in force until January 1, 1865,, and during all that time this property was carried on the. books and inventories at cost; and if Whiton had died before the latter date, and indeed at any time before December 30, 1869, it cannot be questioned that Masury would have been obliged to take the same at cost. But in the second-agreement the intention of the partners to fix the cost price: as the exclusive standard for the valuation of this property is made entirely clear. All reference to valuation in any inventory or account is omitted, and it is provided that “ the surviving partner shall take and pay for the store, fixtures,,
In making these agreements, the partners were dealing with a matter with which they were perfectly familiar. They knew the value of the property and how much it had depreciated and would depreciate in value, and yet more than ten years after the first agreement was made, they are careful and particular to set up the cost price as the standard by which to measure the value of this kind of property to be taken by the survivor. What could they have meant by “ cost price ” except the price paid by them for the property or the cost to them ? If they had meant the value, or the value appearing upon any inventory or in any account, or any other standard, they would have said so in plain language. They probably knew that the surviving partner, taking the business and good will of' the firm, could afford to pay cost for the property.
But it is said that this matter was not submitted to the arbitrator. It is true that no mention is made of it in the complaint in the discontinued action. But it was not needful to mention it. Masury was bound to allow for this property the cost price. He might change its value upon the books. He might, for the purpose of increasing or diminishing profits, or any other purpose, make deductions
It was provided in the copartnership agreement that the copartners should once, in each year, or oftener, if necessary, “ make, yield and render each to the other a true, just and perfect inventory and account of all the profits and increase by them, or either of them made, and of all loss by them or either of them sustained, and also of all payments, receipts and disbursements, and of all other things by them made, received or disbursed in their said copartnership business.” It was admitted in the complaint in the discontinued action that Masury had rendered the regular semi-annual accounts regularly made out in the business on the first day of January and the first day of July in each year. But there was no allegation that these accounts were settled and accepted by Whiton or his executors. The force and effect to be given to these accounts was for the arbitrator. The evidence in reference to them was placed before him and his determination .thereon is unimpeachable.
We have not noticed all the views taken in the exhaustive briefs submitted to us, but enough has been written to justify our conclusion that the judgment should be affirmed.
All concur.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- John W. Masury v. William H. Whiton
- Status
- Published