HALSEY V. GODDARD.
25
it was tendered on condition that he could not accept without a surrender of the valuable right of appeal, and as during the time Paul F. Beardsley received the full benefit of the shares of stock, which were to be delivered to him on the payment of the money, that principle of justice which says that equality is equity demands that the appellant should have his interest. It results that the decree of the circuit court is reversed, and the cause is remanded, with directions to vacate its decree, dissolve the injunction granted 1Jherein, dismiss the bill, and tax the costs against the complainant.
HALSEY v. GODDARD et aL RUIZ et al. v. SAME. (Circuit Court, D. Rhode Island. March 18, 1898.) L CONSTRUCTIO:'iI OF 'fRUST-CONDITIONAL REMAINDER.
Testator left his estate In trust for his daughter during her Ufe, the wlll providing that at her death the trustee should convey and pay over certain estates, and the one-half part of the residue of the estate then In their hands to his eldest son "if he shall have arrived at the age of twenty-one years, and have complied with the conditions hereinafter expressed." The conditions referred to were that he "shall, within five years after being notified of my decease, have his permanent residence In the United States, and adopt the name of H." The will further provided: "The other half part of all the rest, residue," etc., "then· in the hands of said trustees, I hereby order and direct said trustees to pay over and convey In fee simple to the other children of my said daughter, living at the time of her decease." Held, that testator fixed the death of his daughter as the time for the division of his estate, and at that time a remainder will vest In her eldest son, contingent upon the previous performance of the conditions named, and a remainder will vest in the other children, absolutely without condition. Where, as to a devise over, a testator has expressed with clearness one limitation to take effect at a period far within the lawful limits, It will be held good as a remainder, though an alternative disposition be objectionable as an executory deVise, on the ground of remoteness. A bill is not multifarious because it alleges two alternative grounds upon which complainants may be entitled to an estate; nor because some of the defendants may not be interested In all the questions that may arise in the suit.
2.
REMAINDERS-PERPETUITIES-c-ExECUTORY DEVISE.
B.
EQUITY PLEADINGS-ALTERNATIVE RELIEF-MULTIFARIOUSNESS.
Coudert Bros. and Edwards & Angell, for complainants. Hayes, Wright, rves, Tillinghast, Smith & Tillinghast, for defendants. BROWN, District Judge. The various demurrers to these bills in equity have been argued together. The chief question is: Are the trusts declared by the will of Thomas Lloyd Halsey, under which the complainants claim a conveyance from the trustees, invalid for violation of the rule against perpetuities? The complainants rely upon the following provisions of the will: "At the decease of my said daughter, Marla Louisa Andrea Del Valle (or De Valle), if she shall have left lawful male Issue, I hereby order and direct said trustees to pay over and convey In fee simple to the eldest son of my sald daugh. ter living at the time of her decease, If he shall have arrived at the age of twen·
26
86' FEDERAL, 'REPORTER.
years;, a:Qd ·\1a with, thecondltion!,\ ,hereinafter expressed, my I!lll1d estate, lu ',IJauteI1ve,' my mansion ,estatelu Providence, forillerly the residence of Jath'er, lind one-half part oflill the rest, residue, 'ana remainder of the real estate Ilh'd :persollluproperty !tnen In: their hands and possession as trustees:" "But, '-If theeldelit soil of my 'said daughter living at the tiIue shall not at that time \lave at the age of twenty" one Yllars, tllen so of ,the reuts, Il;icome,' and ,I;lrofit\l of the said described estates and ,'property shill be palO. over to him dutinj(hi!j minority, by said trnstees, ali theY,shall think proper tor his support, and the estates and property, with the incll'ease thereof,. if any, be' palO. over and conveyed :to him as aforesaid other half when he shall have arrived at, the age Of, ,twenty-one years.'!,:, part of all the rest, residue, and remainder of the real estate and personal property then In the hands and possession of said trustees I hereby order and direct said trustees to pay over and convey In fee"llimple to the other children of my sald daughter, living at the time of her decease, to be divided among them ,, equally, share and share
my
The conditions with which the eldest son must comply, and upon against t4e validity of which the res,p()lldents base their the trusts, are found in the following clause of the, ,will: "Provided, however (as it Is my earnest wish and that the eldest son or other child or children of my said daughter, to whom the said estate called 'Rauterlve,' the mansion estate, and the one-half part of the remainder of the real estate and personal property shall be finally paid over and conveyed by said trustees, Rsa.foresald, shall reside. In the United States, and adopt and use tha name of ,Halsey), the said two estates and half, part .of remaining property shall. not be flnally, palO. over and conveyed by said trustees to the male or female issue of, mY I!lll1d daughter as In this my will before provided, unless such child or children of my said daughter, to wbom the, same would be paid over and conveyed accordiug to the provlslous, of this my will, shall, wIthin five years after being duly notified of my decease, ,have bls, her, or their permanent residence In the United States, and adopt and,use the name of Halsey."
The bill of Pedro Del Vane HalseY·alleges that the life estate of the testator's daughter, Maria L<:iuisa Del Valle, terminated by her decease, on July 29, 1895; that the complainant is her eldest son, and was, ather decease m()re thau21 ,yeaJ;sold;, that th¢ testator died in February, 1855,; that within. five years 'of riotificati()p. of the death of the testator, to wit, in 1855, he established his permanent residence in the United States, and adopted the name of It is thus apparent that the estate which the complainant, Pedro Del Valle Halsey, seeks ,to establish, vested in. him, if at all, within the lawful limits, since his right must have existed immediately upon the decease of his mother. It is cc;ntended, however, by the respondents that tbe testator intended and provided by his will that the estate should remain in tbe hands of the trustees until the complete performance of the conditions; that the point of time wben the conditions begin to run is that when the eldest son surviving Mrs. Del Valle "is duly notified" of the testator's decease; and that the notificatiop. is a condition that, by the terms of the will, need not necessarilyblt performed within the period of 21 years after the death of Mrs. Del Valle. It is further claimed that theseconditioills attach also to the gift of "the other half part" to the "other children," and that, in consequence, the sisters of Pedro, who by their bill claim the other half, have no title under- the will. We will, for convenience, (lonsider first whether any' condition attaches to the gift to the "other" or the second half of the residue. The argument upon this branch of the case is that the "other children"
27
cannot be ascertained, or may not be ascertained, until it is determined who shall receive the first half; in short, that the words "other children" mean the children other than the one who shall receive the first half of the residue. This is an assumption and a clear perversion of the language of the will. It attributes to the testator, not the intention that he has clearly expressed, but an intention that contradicts his expression. The "other children" are the children other than the eldest son living at her decease. This must be ascertained at the moment of her death. The conditions as to change of residence and name relate exclusively by their express terms to the estates known as "Hauterive" and the "Mansion Estate," and to the first half of the residue. The gift to the children other than the eldest son is absolutely without conditions, and vested immediately upon the decease of their mother. The next question is, does the limitation to the eldest son violate the rule against perpetuities? The language of the limitation is used with precision and clearness. The gift to him is at the decease of his mother "if he shall have arrived at the age of twenty-one years, and have complied with the conditions." Furthermore, we find later the ,description of the property, one-half of which to be conveyed is the residue "then in their hands and possession as trustees." The word mother. then relates, undoubtedly, to the time of the decease of We find also that the other half of the property, which is to be conveyed to the other children (by which, as we have said, is clearly meant chilo dren other than the eldest son living at the mother's decease), is to be ,conveyed to them immediately upon the decease of their mother. The testator has thus fixed the death of his daughter as the time for the division of his estate; for at that time it will necessarily be determined who are the children other than the eldest living son, and a remainder will at once vest in these children. A like remainder will vest in the eldest son, contingent, however, by tbe express terms of the will, upon the previous performance of the conditions as to residence and change of name. n is argued that the eldest son may be entitled to claim the estate upon compliance with the conditions within 5 years of the receipt by him of notification of the testator's death, though such compliance Qccur more than 21 years after his mother's decease. If, upon a proper construction of the will, such an intention can be attributed to the testator, which is at least doubtful, it would not follow that the express limitation contained in the clause above quoted would be nulli· fied. If we found that the testator so intended, it would simply result in holding that the testator had provided a further and distinctive al· ternative upon which the eldest son might take. The invalidity of tbis subsequent provisiGD would not attach to a previous, distinct, separable, independent; and lawful limitation. When a devise over includes two contingencies, which are in their nature divisible, and Dne of which can operate as a remainder, they may be divided, even though included in one expression. Evers v. Challis, 7 H. L. Cas. 405. In the present case, however, the testator has expressed with clearness one limitation, to take effect at a' period far within the lawful limits. This must beheld· good as a remhinder, though an alterna-
28
86 FEDERAL REPORTER.
tive disposition might be objectionable as an executory devise on theground of remoteness. Furthermore, we may adopt the language of the complainant's brief: "The words are not 'if he shall comply,' or 'when he complies,' but 'if he' shall have complied.' By thus using the future perfect instead of the future tense, the testator has indicated in the plainest manner t.hat he intended no interval to elapse between the estate to the mother and the estate to the elllest son. To construe these conditions in'such manner as to allow such an interval would be t.o violate the elementary principle that a limitation which can be construed as a contingent remainder must be so construed, and not as an executory devise. 'The law will not construe a limitation in a will into an executory devise when it can take effect as a 'remainder.' Per Swayne, J., Doe v. Considine, 6 Wall. 458 (see page 475). Where the contingent estate may, in the nature of its original limitation, take effect during or by the time of the determination of the particular estate (suppOSing that particular estate to take place), the possibility or probability of its not doing so, in the common course of things, or from its relation to other limitations interposed by the testator, will not take it out of the general rule that denies the construction of an executory devise to a limitation that may take effect as a remainder." "Therefore the first limitation to the eldest son of Mrs. Del Valle, contained In this paragraph of the will, IS a contingent remainder, so limited that it must vest, if at all, at the instant of the death of the life tenant. And, in the event which happened,-the death of the life tenant, leaving an eldest son, Who had then attained the age of twenty-one years, and complied with the conditions of the will,-it did so vest."
Looking at the practical situation resulting from the foregoing conclusions as to the validity of the trusts, we find that the bill of Pedro Del Valle Halsey, assuming, as we must on demurrer, the truth of the allegations as to his performance of the conditions as to name and residence, asserts a valid title to Hauterive, the Mansion estate, and the first half of the residue, with the accumulations; that the bilI of Silvio Mones Ruiz et a1. asserts a valid title to the other half part of the residue, with accumulations. This last bill, however, does not aver that Pedro Del Valle Halsey performed the conditions, but requires proof thereof. The prayers for alternative relief, are, of consequence, only in case Pedro Del Valle Halsey shall fail to establish his performance of the conditions. We will consider, however, the effect of the allegations that the complainants are heirs at law, and their prayers for alternative relief. It seems clear that a bill may state the facts, and properly ask relief in the alternative, according to the conclusions of law that the court may draw. Fost. Fed. Prac. (2d Ed.) § 70; Shields v. Barrow, 17 How. 130. Furthermore, in Stephens v. McCargo. 9 Wheat. 502, Chief Justice Marshall said: "But we know .of no principle which shall prevent a person claiming the same property by different titles from asserting all his titles in the same bill." See,also, Gaines v. Chew, 2 How. 619. There is certainly no inconsistency in the allegations that Pedro Del Valle Halsey is the person named in the will; that he took up his residence and changed his name in accordance with the conditions of the will; and the further allegation that he and his !!listers are heirs at law of the testator. The truth ()f one of these allegations of fact does not in the least tend to establish the falsity of the others. Surely, if one is both sole devisee and sole heir at law, he may assert both titles against one who asserts a claim as heir at law adversely to the will. liIt is no objection to a bill in equity that it has what is called a double
aspect; that is, lUlking one relief, and failing that, upon the facts stated, another relief." Chaffin v. Hull, 39 Fed. 887. It seems clear that the bills are not multifarious for the reason that they allege two alternative grounds upon which the complainants may be entitled; nor because some of the defendants may not be interested hi all the questions that may arise in the suit. All of the demurrers have raised the substantial questions as to the validity of the trusts, !Ind none of the parties has sought to be relieved of the trial of these questions; but, on the contrary, the briefs have urged that "it will be thus seen that the court on these demuITers must decide the validity of the trusts." Upon the defendants' brief it is stated: "The bills will therefore be considered in the light of the one ground of relief distinctly averred by the complainants; and the ground of relief only hypothet· Ically stated will be disregarded. The case well stated in each bill rests on the validity of the trusts of the will of Mr. Thomas Lloyd Halsey; and, those trusts being void, the demurrers resting on that ground cover the entire bill in eacb
The demurring parties having thus asserted their interest in the question of the validity of the trusts, they must be held to have a like interest in the question of whether Pedro Del Valle Halsey has performed the conditions as to name and residence, and, if he fail to establish this, in the further question as to whether the subsequent limitations in favor of the female issue are valid (a decision of which question is reserved), and also in the question lUl to whether the children af the testator's daughter, Maria Louisa Andrea Del Valle, are the testatQr's heirs at law, as well as in the other questions in. the case. [f there is inconsistency, it arises, not from the complainants' allegations of alternative titles, but because the defendants have treated the bills as sufficiently stating the defendants' interest in the question of the validity of the trusts, and as insufficiently stating their interest in the question whether the complainants are heirs at law. If interested in the first aspect of the bills, they are obviously also interested in the second aspect. Considering the large number of persons concerned in the questions still remaining in the case, the adverse titles set up in the cross bills and answers, and the multiplicity of suits that would arise if these complainants and the trustees were compelled to litigate this matter piecemeal with the various claimants, also the fact that the substantial questions are few, and the further fact that no defendant whose interest was sufficient to lead him to contest the validity of the trusts could now be benefited by a division of the controversy, I am of the opinion that the scope of the bills is entirely proper and in accordance with the principles of equitable relief. As was said by Brewer, J., in Hyman v. Wheeler, 33 Fed. 629, 631: "Neither can it be said that there is no equity In the bill. Equity discountenances a multiplicity of suits. That is one of the grounds of Its jurisdiction. And it alms, by restraining a multiplicity of suits, to give to the owner of the property the beneficial enjoyment of It, and to enable hIm to get the benefit of its ownership, rather than waste It In many and dIverse suits. · · · In all equity cases we ought to go to the substance of things as far as possible."
Justice Harlan, in Sheld(m v. Packet Co., 8 Fed. 769, said: "As a general rule, the court will not compel parties to Incur the expense, vexation, and delay of several suits, where the transactions constituting the sub-
30
86 FEDERAL REPOR'l'ER. . .j.
jects of the litIgation, or out of wbIch the litigatIon ari.sEls, are sQ conne9ted by theIr circumstances as to render It·· proper and convenient that. they sbOuId be examined in the same suit, .and fuIlrellef. given by one cOIXlpreb.ensive decree. A different rule would often prove to be both oppressive. aJ;ld mischievous, and could result in no possible benefit to any litigant, whose' object was not simply to harass· his adversary, but to ascertain what were his just legal rights."
Looking at the substance of this case, it is obvious that the rights of all the parties can most conveniently be tried in one litigation, and that the alleged of so dping are largely fictitious,and of no practical importance. The demurrers will be overruled.
LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO BANK,)LImited, v·. CITr OE' OAKLAND et aI. (Circuit' Court, N. D. dallfornia. Marc!i . i4; 1898.). No. 12,190.
1.
DEDICATION OF STREET-FILING OF MAP-ORDINANCE
A map of a town in California was sworn to by the owners of the land August 3, .1853. A deed of partltionamong the owners was executed August . 15th, m$ing express to the map; and an ordinance was passed August 27th, declaring the' streets laid down 'and descriped' on .the map public streets and highways. The map was filed for record September 2d following. Held, that .the acceptance took effect and 'the dedication became complete immedi!ljtely on the til¥Ig of the map.
SAME-ADVERSE POSSESSION-NONUSJl;R.
That only a portion of a street which has been dedicated and accepted as a pubUc street is opened up does not 'devest" or impair the right of the pUblic to open and use the remaining parts whenever the exigencies of pUblic travel and wants require it. .
8.
SAME.
It being a rule of property I:n California that title cannot be acquired to public property by adverse possession, the right of a city to open up a street once dedicated and accepted Is not impaired by the fact that it has been fenced for about 40 years; and occupied as a residence the greater part of the time, and that valuable buildi:ngs have been erected upon it.
Suit in equity to enjoin the city of Oakland and its officers from entering upon the lands of the complainant, and from using, or attempting to. use, the same as a public street, and to quiet the title of the complainant to the land as against the defendants. Upon the filing bill,an order to show cause: was issued, and it temporary restraining order granted, which was subsequently continued until the tinal disposition of the case. :,' . ',. Page, MCClitchen & Eells, .for co,rUpkinant. J. K. Piersol and W. A. Dow,for MORROW, Qh,cuit Judge. This is a suit equity, brought to enjoin the city of Oakland and its officers from entering'upon the land of the complainant,and from using, or attempting to use, the same asa public street, 'and to olthecomplalnant to. the said land as against the defenda},its.lJpon the filing of the bill, an order to show cause ·was issued, and it temporary' restraining' order granted. The order, upon the heariIlg, was continued inf?rce,byconsent until