Smith v. New Hartford Water Co. , 73 Conn. 626 ( 1901 )

The following facts appear from the statements and documents contained in the findings: The defendant corporation was chartered in 1889 for the purpose of constructing and maintaining waterworks in the town of New Hartford, with an authorized capital of $30,000, divided into 1,200 shares. In 1891 the corporation was organized with a subscription for 400 shares, and the plaintiff appointed a director and president, and he with the other directors were all the stockholders. No definite arrangement to construct the waterworks was made until April 17th, 1894. Prior to that date the plaintiff had expended his own funds to an amount in excess of $750 in obtaining the defendant's charter, in organizing under the charter, and in defraying the corporate expenses after organization; and had rendered other services, not included in his official duties, valuable to the defendant.

On April 17th, 1894, the defendant made a contract with one John T. Langford, for the construction by him of its waterworks, whereby it was agreed, among other things, that in part payment for such construction the company should issue to Langford its entire capital stock of 1,200 shares, he immediately to transfer to the several persons named (in payment of their services in part and to continue them as shareholders) the number of shares which had been subscribed for by them. The persons so named were all the directors and all the existing stockholders, who relinquished to the company their right to take the shares subscribed for by them, upon the conditions set forth in said agreement with Langford. By this agreement the defendant also recognized its obligation to pay the expenses incident to its organization. This agreement was authorized and approved by the unanimous vote of the board of directors, and was made with the knowledge and approval of the owners (whether legal or equitable) of every share of stock. The same day, and as a part of the same transaction, a separate agreement was made between Langford, the plaintiff, and one other director, in their individual capacity, in respect to the execution of the main agreement, which recognized the liability of the corporation to the plaintiff for expenses incident to its organization, to the extent of $750. Every shareholder, legal or equitable, was a party in interest to this agreement; and the holder of every share, with the exception of 26 shares, was an executing party. On the same day (April 17th) a promissory note of the defendant for $750, payable to the plaintiff, was signed by the plaintiff as president of the corporation. For this action he had no authority, unless derived from the transaction above stated. On August 8th, 1894, the defendant corporation, at a directors' meeting duly and legally held, voted that the treasurer issue notes of the company to J. T. Langford, as per contract with him, and that the treasurer be authorized to issue the notes of the company for $750, payable to the plaintiff in full compensation, in addition to stock before named, for services rendered and expenses incurred by him on account of the company to April 17th, 1894, he assuming all liabilities for the company, if any were outstanding at that date, and also for services and expenses he had incurred and might incur from that date until certain terms mentioned in the contract with Langford should have been carried out. Under authority and in pursuance of this vote, two notes of the defendant were duly executed and received by the plaintiff in place of the note for $750. These notes were renewed from time to time, and the notes in suit are the last renewals.

The defendant claims that in some particulars these facts are found without evidence. We think the contrary is apparent, and that they are found upon fair inferences from testimony given and facts proved or admitted upon the trial.

These facts amply support the conclusion of the trial court that there was a valid consideration for the notes sued upon. Assuming that in this case the defendant might lawfully have objected to reimbursing the plaintiff for his expenses incurred in procuring its charter and securing its organization, yet those expenses having been incurred for the benefit of the defendant and the benefit having been accepted, it might lawfully undertake the obligation to pay them; New York N.H.R. Co. v. Ketchum, 27 Conn. 170, 179; and having undertaken the obligation to pay an agreed amount, a promissory note given for that amount is not without consideration.

The accepting of a note by the plaintiff for expenses incurred prior to his becoming a director was not obtaining an advantage for himself, so as to make the obligation voidable.Twin-lick Oil Co. v. Marbury, 91 U.S. 587.

Any illegality by reason of defective authority or execution which might have affected the note for $750, did not attach to the two notes, validly authorized and executed, which were received by the plaintiff in its place. Even if the title of the directors at the time of the transaction of April 17th, 1894, was defective, as claimed by the defendant, the agreements then made on behalf of the corporation were such as could be ratified, and they were ratified by its subsequent action.Stanton v. New York E. R. Co., 59 Conn. 272, 285. Moreover, the action of August 8th established a good consideration for the notes given and accepted in pursuance thereof, independently of the assumption by the defendant on April 17th of the obligation to pay the expenses incident to its organization.

The claim that all the transactions from April 17th to August 8th, including the issue of the notes then authorized, were fraudulent and illegal, cannot be maintained as a conclusion of law from the facts found; if material to the issue, it must depend on the fact of fraud, which was one incumbent on the defendant to prove, made an issue of fact by the pleadings, and found by the court for the plaintiff. There is nothing in the finding, nor in the record, which this court can say renders that conclusion of the trial court unwarranted.

The other claims discussed upon the argument cannot affect the validity of the judgment, and do not call for consideration.

There is no error in the judgment of the Superior Court.

In this opinion the other judges concurred.