Potter v. Titcomb

The action was continued for advisement, and the opinion of the Court afterwards drawn up by

Weston C. J.

The will of the legislature, within the range of its constitutional powers, when expressed so as to be understood, is to be respected and obeyed. By the act to abolish special pleading, statute of 1831, c. 514, it is provided that in all civil actions, the general issue shall be pleaded by the defendant, and joined by the plaintiff. This has been enforced in all cases where an action is to be tried upon its merits ; but has not been extended to pleas in abatement, which are preliminary in their character, or to demurrers to declarations, which controvert no facts legally set forth; but submit to the court whether any cause of action has been exhibited by the plaintiff.

The science of special pleading was intended to present, with clearness and precision, the point really at issue between the parties. Its rules, in their original design, are admirably adapted to effect this object. But they had been so often perverted to the purposes of chicane and delay, that Sir William Blackstone remarked, near a century ago, that the courts had in many instances, and.the legislature in more, allowed special matter to be given in evidence, under the general issue. And he adds, that although it was apprehended, that confusion and uncertainty would follow such an innovation, it had proved otherwise in practice, 3 Bl. Com. 306. The forms and technicalities of the law have been much relaxed in this country from its earliest settlement. And it must be conceded, that the reform has generally proved salutary. It cannot but be perceived, in the act under consideration, that the legislature intended that, in trials upon the merits in all civil actions, every special matter should be given in evidence under the general issue. Special pleading is not expressly interdicted, in the body of the act; but its manifest scope, object and design is, to substitute therefor a brief statement of any special matter. It has been urged, that it was intended for the relief of defendants, and not for the benefit of plaintiffs. But this is, in our judgment, giving the law too narrow a construction. The embarrassment and abuses, intended to be remedied, operated upon both parties. Both were equally within the mischief. Why-then should the defendant bo permitted at his election, to subject the plaintiff to the inconveniences, which were supposed to attend the former system ? Unless he is precluded from this course, the benefit of the act cannot be made mutual. And we are of opinion, that upon a just construction of the statute, without reference to its title, having regard to the manifest intention of the legislature, the defendant is not entitled, nor can he be permitted, to plead to the merits any other plea, than the general issue.

Without determining upon the propriety of refering to the title of the act, in aid of its construction, it rqay not be improper to remark, that as the title is read or stated, in its passage through the legislature, in all its stages, it would be extraordinary indeed, if it should entirely misstate the object of a law, not exceeding ten lines in length. ,,

It is further insisted, that the act does not apply to this case, which it is said is not a new action, but the continuance of a former one, instituted before the enactment of the law. Dane holds scire facias on a judgment to be a mere continuance of the former action. 6 Dane, 463. In Underhill v. Devereux, 2 Saund. 71, note 4, Serjeant Williams states, that a scire facias upon a judgment, is to some purposes, only a continuance of the former suit; and he cites Wright v. Nutt, 1 T. R. 38, which was scire facias, brought merely to revive a judgment against executors. But the present process, although brought upon the former judgment, which stands as security for other liabilities, is virtually for a new plaintiff, and for a distinct and independent claim. In Dearborn v. Dearborn, 15 Mass. 316, the court held, that scire facias against bail was not to be considered a new suit; but the court were there considering the duty of an attorney, who had undertaken the collection of a debt. In Atwood v. Burr, 2 Salk. 603, scire facias against bail was declared to be a new and distinct suit, and so it is regarded in 6 Dane, 463. In Clark v. Paine, 11 Pick. 66, the court cite Dearborn v. Dearborn, but say that there is some force in the argument, that a scire facias is. an original writ, when a new party is brought into court. In Gonnigal v. Smith, 6 Johns. R. 106, which was scire facias to. revive a judgment, it was held to be a new action.

In Coke Littleton, 290, b, Littleton, § 505, commenting upon a scire facias to revive a judgment, after a year and a day, says-that it may well be called an action, inasmuch as the defendant may plead thereto divers matters, after the original judgment.

And Coke adds, that every writ, whereunto the defendant may plead, be it original or judicial, is in law an action. Hence Littleton says, <§> 506, that a release of all actions is a good plea in bar to a scire facias. And in Pulteney v. Townson, 2 W. Black. 1227, the court held that a scire facias was, upon principle, a personal action ; and this upon the authority of Littleton, Coke and Holt, who had given therefor an unanswerable reason, that the defendant may plead to it. The same doctrine was recognized in Gray v. Jones, 2 Wils. 251, and in Fenno v. Evans, 1 T. R. 267. And Serjeant Williams, in the note before cited, says, that as the defendant may plead to a scire facias, it is considered in law as an action, and in the nature of a new original.

We are bound then upon authority to hold, that the process before us is itself an action ; and being instituted, since the passage of the act to abolish special pleading is, in our opinion, subject to its provisions. And although based upon the former judgment ; yet being brought for the benefit of a new party, and for a distinct claim, it is to be regarded rather in the nature of a new suit, than as the continuation of a former one. The exceptions ave accordingly overruled. And we come to this result with the more satisfaction, as either party may, under a brief statement, have every benefit which could be fairly and properly derived from special pleading.