— This is an application for discharge upon habeas corpus. The return to the writ shows, that the respondent is imprisoned under an order of the superior court of the city and county of San Francisco, made upon conviction for contempt, in refusing to obey an order of the court theretofore made, requiring him “ to pay the sum of twenty-five dollars per month as alimony,” to Josephine M. Spencer, his former wife.
From the return and records introduced, it appears that on August 25, 1884, in the suit of Thomas M. Spencer, plaintiff, v. Josephine M. Spencer, defendant, a decree of divorce was granted to the defendant, upon her cross-complaint; the custody of a minor child was awarded to her; the household goods and personal property at the residence occupied by her were set apart to her; and it was further decreed that the plaintiff should pay to the defendant, “ as permanent alimony, the sum of fifty dollars per month, on the first day of September, 1884, and
These proceedings seem to have been regular, and in accordance with the provisions of title 5, part 3, of the Code of Civil Procedure. And the order of imprisonment was in accordance with the provisions of section 1219, a part of that title, the court having found that the party convicted was able to make the payment required of him, and consequently that it was in his power to perform the act required. It is insisted here, however, that the court erred in this finding; that there wras no evidence to support it. That is a matter into which we cannot inquire upon this writ. Under the writ the court can only inquire into the jurisdiction to find, not into the correctness of the findings upon which the conviction is based.
The only remaining inquiry is, whether the judgment or order which the petitioner is found guilty of having disobeyed was a lawful judgment or order.
It is true that “ alimony,” in its strict technical sense, proceeds only from husband to wife, and that where the relation of husband and wife does not exist, strictly speaking there can be no alimony. It is true, also, that the legislature has used the term only in its strict legal sense, and has therefore used the word “alimony” only when prescribing the provision which the court might make for the support of the wife pendente lite. But the courts have not always been as careful in their use of the word. They have frequently used it as a mere name for another and different allowance, made, and authorized to be made, under section 139 of the Civil Code. It was manifestly so used in this case, and has been so used in many others. By that section it is provided: “ Where a divorce is granted for an offense of the husband, the court may compel him to .... make such suitable'allowance to the wife for her support during her life, or for a shorter period, as the court may deem just, having regard to the circumstances of the parties respectively; and the court may, from time to time, modify its orders in these respects.”
That is exactly what the court did in this case, falling, however, into the quite common error of calling the
This allowance may be entirely independent of the property then in esse. It is the duty of the court, at the time of dissolving the marriage, to make proper division of the community property (secs. 146, 147), and, as we understand the law, it may, under section 139, in its discretion, compel the husband, in addition, to make what it deems suitable allowance for the future support of the wife during life or for a shorter period, having reference to their circumstances, etc. This by way of compensation for the deprivation growing out of his own wrong. In fixing this compensation or allowance, the court may regard the earnings of the husband, or his ability to earn money (Eidenmuller v. Eidemnuller, 37 Cal. 364), and may subsequently reduce the amount (Id.), or increase it (Ex parte Cottrell, 59 Cal. 417), as, in its opinion, the changed circumstances of the parties shall warrant, and may enforce compliance with the order by imprisonment for contempt (Ex parte Perkins, 18 Cal. 60; Ex parte Cottrell, supra); and the husband may purge himself of contempt by showing that he is unable to obey the order, and that his inability to pay the sum directed has not been occasioned by his own act for the purpose of avoiding payment. (Galland v. Galland, 44 Cal. 475; 13 Am. Rep. 167; Ex parte Cottrell, supra; Ex parte Wilson, 75 Cal. 580.)
The question of whether or not disobedience of the order for the payment of this allowance is contempt which may be punished by imprisonment, so ably discussed by counsel for petitioner, is no longer an open one in this state, as will be seen by the cases above cited, and perhaps others. The order for such allowance, or any subsequent order made in modification thereof, is subject to review7 upon appeal (Eidenmuller v. Eidenmuller, 37 Cal. 364); but until reversed it must be obeyed, or the party must purge himself of contempt by showing
The remaining questions presented in this case were fully considered in Ex parte Wilson, 75 Cal. 580, and we see no reason to depart from, the conclusion there reached.
Let the writ be dismissed.
Sharpstein, J., McFarland, J., Thornton, J., and Beatty, C. J., concurred.