In re Eckenroth
In re Eckenroth
Opinion of the Court
On the 29th of January, 1876, Mary H. Robison filed proof of her claim against the
.It is also claimed on her behalf, that the chattel mortgage, although never recorded, is good between the parties, there being no actual fraud and no intervening mortgage or lien holder. "Whatever exception to the effect of the statute relating to bills of sale, may have been made by the state courts in such a case, such exception is not applicable here, because this mortgage, as shown by the evidence, was given to secure a pre-existing debt, as well as installments of rent to become due, and having been made within two months prior to the filing of the petition in bankruptcy, it was an attempt to secure a preference in violation of the bankrupt act, and this is made void by section 5128 of the Revised Statutes ■ (section 35). On the other hand it is claimed by counsel for the assignee that inasmuch as the lease was not recorded, the covenant to create a lien is not enforceable as against creditors who trusted the bankrupt on the faith of the property of which he was possessed, and there appears to be much force in the proposition. So far as it concerns the right of the tenant to occupy for the term, the lease although unrecorded, was a good license to enter, and the tenant on keeping his covenant, had a right to remain during the term. But the creditors had no means of knowing that an attempt had been made in the lease to create a continuing lien for the enormous rental of $333.33 per month. They had a right, from the appearance of the premises, and its furnishing and fixtures, to consider the bankrupt engaged in a prosperous business. To hold that covenant in the lease to be a valid chattel mortgage would, I think, be working injustice to them. But is there an equitable mortgage on the property, or any part of it, in favor of Mrs. Robison? The only thing of value existing at the date of the lease and which has come to the hands of the assignee, is the iron safe, which sold for $250. That article was seen by Mrs. Robison’s agent, and was regarded as valuable. It was worth nearly the price of one month’s rent, and was a thing not easily moved. The other articles were not then in existence, and were not introduced into the store until long after the term had commenced. I do not think that such other articles can upon any principles of equity be considered as subject to any lien in favor of Mrs. Robison, and in view of all the authorities cited by counsel on both sides, which I have carefully examined, I find an equitable lien in her favor for the proceeds of the safe, less its fair proportion of the expenses of sale, and award her $225 for its share of its proceeds, to be deducted from her claim, and permit her to receive dividends on the balance, in common with other unsecured creditors. I may add, that in my judgment the taking of the chattel mortgage, if not a waiver, is evidence, of an intention that she did not rely on the lease as a chattel mortgage.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- In re ECKENROTH
- Status
- Published