Carpenter v. Historical Society , 2 Dem. Sur. 574 ( 1883 )

The Surrogate.

After it was too late to recall the opinion in this case, reported in 1 Bemarest’s Surr. R., 606, which was prepared without any argument or reference to authorities by counsel, I discovered that the doctrines of the earlier cases, holding that unincorporated associations were competent to take bequests for charitable uses, had been overruled in Bascom v. Albertson (34 N. Y., 584). Whatever my own views may be, that authority is controlling. Hence it becomes necessary to determine whether the society has a corporate existence. I am inclined to think it has.

The “ Act for the incorporation of benevolent, charitable, scientific and missionary societies,” passed April 12th, 1848 (Sess. Laws, p. 449), was amended by an act passed in 1862 (Sess. Laws,p. 510) by adding the words “historical,literary.” In 1872 (Sess. Laws,p. 1541), the legislature passed an act which was entitled “An act to further amend ” the act of 1848, by which the provisions of it were further extended, but in which the word “historical” was omitted. The words “further to amend ” seem to imply a knowledge on the part of the legislature of the amendment of 1862, and the language of the title indicates an intention nob to curtail, but to extend the amendment of the enabling act so as to embrace other societies and objects of association. Ho part of the act of 1862 is expressly repealed, or in any way referred to save by the words mentioned in the title, as above stated. It is a familiar rule that repeal by implication is not favored.

But there is another view which may be taken as furnishing a reason why the word “historical” was omitted, if intended so to be, by the act of 1872. The word “literary ” I think embraces such a society. The word is generic. College societies having for their objects improvement in debate, the reading of compositions, etc., are essentially literary. So of mechanics’ institutes and associations, bar associations, and any others where the object is mental improvement and culture.

The very word “literary” is defined to signify “pertaining to letters or literature; ” and “literature” embraces history, while “historical” is defined as “containing history or the relation of facts.” The object of the “ Historical Society of the county of Westchester” is, as I understand it, for the members to gather up facts, existing in some vague and crude form, regarding the past history of the county, to write them out, and read, at the meetings of the society, the papers, so written. Thereupon discussions arise, etc. At the opening. of their sessions, I understand, one or more addresses are made. All the papers so read and discussed are preserved by the society. Thus, I think, it will be seen that the Historical Society is pre-eminently a literary society, and, as there is no question as to the regularity of the proceedings to effect its incorporation, it is competent to take the legacy for the purpose indicated by the testator, and had a right to appear as a party to this proceeding.