Board of Supervisors of Oconto County v. Hall , 47 Wis. 208 ( 1879 )

Lyoít, J.

When the cause was here on the former appeal, we thought the complaint alleged, in substance, that the mortgage of the defendant Ben. H. Hall was voluntarily given as additional security, pro tanto, for the defalcation of the defendant Bichard L. Hall as county treasurer; and it was held competent for the board of supervisors to take such additional security. It was also held that the complaint contains no sufficient averments to raise tbe questions of the power of that board to compromise with the defaulting treasurer, and its power to release, in whole or in part, the right of action on his official bonds. 42 Wis., 59.

But the answer of the defendant Ben. B. Hall raises these questions, and also the question whether the resolution accepting the proposition of Bichard L. Hall, and releasing him from all liability to the county on compliance with its terms, was adopted at a meeting of the board at which a legal quorum of the mémbers attended and acted upon the resolution.

In the view we take of this case, we are not required to determine whether the county board of supervisors may compromise such a claim and accept less than the amount actually due in full discharge of the claim, or whether the board may discharge the treasurer and his sureties from liability upon the official bond of the former without a full compliance with the conditions of such bond; or, if the board has such power, what are the conditions and limitations (if any exist) upon its exercise. These are very important questions, and they are not free of difficulty. We prefer to leave them undetermined until a case shall arise requiring their determination. For the purposes of this appeal it will be assumed that the county board of supervisors is vested with those powers, without condition or limitation.

The answer alleges, in substance, that the mortgage in suit, .and the notes of ■ Bichard L. Hall which such mortgage was given to secure, were executed pursuant to the proposition of the latter to the board of supervisors for a compromise of and discharge from his indebtedness to the county, and upon the sole consideration that Bichard L., and the sureties in his official bonds, should be released and discharged from all liability on account of such defalcation. Under these aver-ments, we suppose neither argument nor citation of authorities is necessary to show that if Bichard L. Hall and his sureties have not been so released and discharged, the considera-ation for which the notes and mortgage were given has entirely failed, and that no action by or on behalf of the county can be maintained to enforce them. ■

These preliminary observations bring us to the consideration of the question, "Was the meeting of the board of supervisors at which the resolution to accept the proposition of Richard L. Hall was adopted, composed of a lawful quorum of the members of the board? If it was not, its action in the premises is null and void, and Hall and his sureties are still liable on the official bonds of Hall for the amount of his defalcation.

The general rule of the common law is, that members of a legislative body or municipal board are disqualified to vote therein on propositions in which they have a direct pecuniary interest adverse to the state or municipality which'they represent. The rule is founded on principles of natural justice and sound public policy. Perhaps the only recognized exception to this rule is the case where the body or board is permitted to fix the compensation of its members. This exception goes upon the necessity of the case, and the fact that all of the members are equally interested; and it has been well said that no principle can be derived from it. Cushing’s Law and Practice of Legislative Assemblies, § 1839. The above rule has been recognized by this court, and the principle of it extended and applied to officers of corporations not municipal. In Walworth County Bank v. F. L. & Trust Co., 16 Wis., 629, it was applied to an officer of a railroad company; and in United Brethren Church v. Vandusen, 37 Wis., 54, to the trustees of a church society. The principle was also applied to a school-district officer in Pickett v. School District, 25 Wis., 551.

In Coles v. Trustees of Williamsburgh, 10 Wend., 659, the same principle was applied to a village trustee. Mr. Justice Kelson said, in substance, that such trustee was disqualified by general principles of law to vote on a certain proposition before the board of trustees affecting his property.

Ellis and Branquest, who voted on the resolution under consideration, were sureties in official bonds of Richard L. Hall, conditioned for the proper disbursement of the drainage funds in his hands during certain years. Hall converted to his own use portions of the funds in respect to which such bonds were given; and if he was liable to the county for such conversion, the resolution contemplated his release from liability therefor. Of course the release of Hall would operate to release his sureties.

That the county was primarily liable for the proper application of these funds, and that Richard L. Hall and his sureties were liable to the county on his special drainage-fund bonds for any misappropriation of the funds, we cannot doubt. The drainage fund is constantly referred to in the statutes relating to it as belonging to the counties. It is provided by law that the lands from the sale of which the fund is derived, shall be held by the land commissioners of the state in trust for the counties respectively entitled to the fund. Moreover, the special bond of the county treasurer for the proper disbursement of the fund ran to the chairman of the county board of supervisors. Laws of 1865, ch. 537; Laws of 1869, eh. 151; R. S., secs. 253-4. True, the fund was received by the treasurer in trust for the towns entitled to it; but that is quite immaterial. A large percentage of the money that finds its way into public treasuries is held in trust for some persons or corporations. School money for distribution to districts is so held. Yet no one doubts that if a county treasurer should embezzle such money, he and the sureties in his official bond would be liable to the county therefor in an action on such bond. The legal title to the funds (so to speak) is in the county, and that is sufficient to uphold an action on the bond by or on behalf of the county.

We conclude that Ellis and Brunquest were severally liable to the county for portions of the money converted by Eiehard L. Hall to his own use, and were disqualified to vote on the resolution which aimed to release ITall from liability therefor, inasmuch as the release of Hall would release them. They were each liable to the county for a sum of money. The proposition before the board was to release them from such liability without full payment. Hence, they each had a direct pecuniary interest in the proposition, adverse to the county. They come within the rule above stated, and their votes on the resolution accepting the proposition are null and void.

When the resolution was adopted, the board of supervisors of Oconto county consisted of ten members, seven only of whom were present and voted on the resolution. Six members were required to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Without that number the board could do no valid act, except, perhaps, to compel the attendance of absentees or to adjourn.

Eejecting the votes of Ellis and Brunquest, but five members voted on the adoption of the resolution. No quorum voting, the vote is inoperative for any purpose. This is the rule of all deliberative bodies of which we have any knowledge. When a vote is taken and the result shows that no quorum has voted, the vote is not declared, and proceedings on the order of business are suspended until a quorum can be obtained; and it is quite immaterial that there is a quorum actually present, if no quorum votes. Hence, it does not aid the attempted action of the five members who voted, that Ellis and Brun-quest were present.

We are compelled to hold, therefore, that the action by less than a quorum of the board upon the resolution is inoperative; that the resolution was not adopted; and that the liability of Eiehard L. Hall and his sureties on his official bonds is not released or affected by the attempted action of the board.

It follows that the facts stated in the answer show that there was no consideration for the mortgage in suit, and the notes which it was given to secure. This being a valid defense to the action, the demurrer to the answer was properly overruled.

By the Gourt. — Order affirmed.