Paddock v. . Kirkham

The power to issue a commission to take testimony out of the State depends entirely upon statutory provisions, and is regulated now by section 888 of the Code of Civil Procedure, which is in substance a re-enactment of a like provision of the Revised Statutes. Section 888 provides for the issuing of such a commission only "where an issue of fact has been joined in anaction pending in a court of record."

The appellant contends that this reference was not an action but a special proceeding, citing Roe v. Boyle (81 N.Y. 305,308) and Mowry v. Peet (88 id. 453), and that consequently the power to issue a commission in an action did not extend to it. Roe v. Boyle decided that such a reference being a special proceeding, an appeal from an order made therein was governed by the provisions of the Code expressly applicable to orders in special proceedings.

In Mowry v. Peet it was held that in such a proceeding there was no power in the referee or in the court to render an affirmative judgment against the claimant on a counter-claim, for the reason that on such a reference the only question submitted to the referee was whether the claimant had a just claim against the estate of the deceased, over and above all offsets, and, although in trying and adjudicating upon those matters which were within the scope of the reference, the statute (2 R.S. 88, § 36) conferred upon the referee and the court the same powers as if the reference had been made in an action, yet the proceeding was not an action, and no power was given to render an affirmative judgment for the executors against the claimant or to certify a balance in their favor. As to the powers of the court and referees in such a proceeding, with respect to the determination of the matter in controversy, the terms of the statute are very broad.

Section 36 provides for the entry of a rule in the Supreme Court or Court of Common Pleas referring the matter in controversy, and section 37 provides that "the same proceedings shall be had in all respects; the referee shall have the same powers * * * as if the reference had been made in an action in which such court might by law direct a reference," and the judgment of the court on the report of the referees shall be valid and effectual in all respects as if the same had been rendered in a suit commenced by the ordinary process.

We think this provision is sufficiently broad to authorize the issue of a commission to take testimony out of the State. The necessity for such process is quite as great as in an action, and neither the executor nor the claimant should be deemed to have forfeited that advantage by consenting to such a reference. It is to a certain extent compulsory so far as costs are concerned. (§ 41.)

The cases of Wood v. Howard Ins. Co. (18 Wend. 646) and Inre Whitney (4 Hill, 533) are cited as authorities for the proposition, that the provision that in cases of reference of disputed claims against executors, etc., the same proceedings shall be had in all respects, and the referees shall have the same powers as if the reference had been made in an action (2 R.S. 89, § 37), is not sufficient to authorize the issuing of a commission. We do not think that the cases cited sustain the proposition. The references in those cases were governed by the statute in relation to the powers and duties of trustees and assignees of absconding and insolvent debtors. (2 R.S. 40.) That statute authorized the reference of controversies relating to demands against, or debts due to, the debtor, and it provided (2 R.S. 45, § 24) that the referees so appointed should have the same powers as referees appointed by the Supreme Court in personal actions. That provision clearly did not affect the power of the court to issue a commission. It related solely to the powers of the referees.

The statute in respect to references of disputed claims against executors, etc., is much more comprehensive. It not only provides that in cases of such references the referees shall have the same powers, but it contains the further express provision that "the same proceedings shall be had in all respects" as if the reference had been made in an action. We think this includes the proceeding by commission to obtain the testimony of absent witnesses.

The order should be affirmed with costs.

All concur.

Order affirmed.