Hicks v. Biddle

• Decision Date: 05 April 1928
• Docket Number: 7 Div. 745
• Citation: 117 So. 688,218 Ala. 2
• Parties: HICKS et al. v. BIDDLE.
• Court: Alabama Supreme Court

117 So. 688

218 Ala. 2

HICKS et al. v. BIDDLE.

7 Div. 745

Supreme Court of Alabama

April 5, 1928

Appeal from Circuit Court, De Kalb County; W.W. Haralson, Judge.

Bill in equity by T.W. Biddle against Janie Hicks and H.P. Hicks. Decree for complainant, and defendants appeal. Reversed and rendered.

Thos E. Orr, of Albertville, and O.D. Street, of Guntersville, for appellants.

A.E Hawkins, of Ft. Payne, for appellee.

BROWN J. (after stating the facts as above).

The assignments of error question the integrity of the final decree granting relief to the complainant for failure of proof in two respects.

The first paragraph of the bill avers, among other facts, that "on the 5th day of October, 1917, orator T.W. Biddle was duly appointed and qualified as trustee in bankruptcy of the estate of said H.P. Hicks, and is now such trustee and brings this suit in his capacity as such trustee." These averments are denied by both of the respondents, and there is an absence of evidence proving, or tending to prove, these averments.

The rule in this jurisdiction in actions at law is that, unless the capacity in which the plaintiff sues is denied by special plea, this fact need not be proved. Espalla v. Richards & Son, 94 Ala. 159, 10 So. 137. The rule is justified, and in part is the outgrowth of our modified system of pleading in such actions which dispenses with the necessity of making profert, and in which the statute prescribes the form and limits the scope of the plea of the general issue, requiring special defenses to be specially pleaded (Code of 1923, §§ 9463, 9470; 2 Green. on Ev. § 338; L. & N.R.R. Co. v. Trammell, 93 Ala. 350, 9 So. 870), thus modifying the rule of pleading and practice prevailing at common law, requiring profert of the plaintiff's authority in the complaint and on the trial (2 Saunders Pl. & Ev. [ Eng.] 498).

In equity cases the statute requires the bill to "contain a clear and orderly statement of the facts on which the suit is founded" (Code of 1923, § 6525), and authorizes all matters of defense to be incorporated in the answer and provides that the defendant "is not required to plead specially in any case" (Code of 1923, § 6547). Under the system it has been repeatedly held that the bill must clearly show the title and interest of the complainant in the subject-matter of the suit and a present right to sue, and, when he sets forth his title to relief, he cannot have a decree based upon another and different title. 21 C.J. 397, § 418; Rapier v. Gulf City Paper Co., 64 Ala. 330; Meadors v. Askew, 56 Ala. 584; 16 Cyc. 986. And he must establish by evidence every averment of his bill, not admitted, essential to his right to relief. White v. Wiggins, 32 Ala. 424; Lunsford v. Empire Realty & Mtg. Co., 200 Ala. 202, 75 So. 960; 21 C.J. 549, § 672; Robinson v. Griffin, 173 Ala. 372, 56 So. 124; 22 C.J. 74, § 17. These rules are applicable to proceedings by trustees in bankruptcy. 7 C.J. 269, § 432; Woodford v. Rice (D.C.) 207 F. 473; Pope v. Cantwell (D.C.) 206 F. 908; Hiscock v. Varick Bank of New York, 206 U.S. 28, 27 S.Ct. 681, 51 L.Ed. 945.

In such proceedings, when proof is made of the appointment of the trustee, it will be presumed that all proceedings leading up to the appointment were regular, and that he has complied with all the requirements of the law and is qualified to act. 7 C.J. 269, § 431; Breckons v. Snyder, 211 Pa. 176, 60 A. 575; Laubaugh v. Pa. R.R. Co., 28 Pa.Super.Ct. 247; Oliver v. Hilgers, 88 Minn. 35, 92 N.W. 511.

But where, as here, the complainant's appointment as trustee is denied by the answer of the defendants, he is not entitled to relief unless the averments of the bill are sustained by the proof. 7 C.J. 268, § 430; Van Houten v. Oliver (N.Y.Sup.) 91 N.Y.S. 36.

The appellants' other contention is that the testimony of the witness McPhail is purely hearsay as disclosed by his cross-examination, and, this testimony excluded, there is no proof that H.P. Hicks owed debts at the time he made the alleged voluntary transfer of property to his wife. Pertinent to this question, see City Nat. Bank of Decatur v Nelson, 117 So. 681; Davis v. Arnold, 143 Ala. 228, 39 So. 141; W.T. Rawleigh Med. Co. v. Hooks et al., 16 Ala.App. 394, 78 So. 310; Yeend Adm'r v. Weeks et al., 104 Ala. 331, 16 So. 165, 53 Am.St.Rep. 50; Moog et ux. v. Barrow et al., 101 Ala. 209, 13 So. 665; Johnson et al. v. Pinckard & Lay, 196...