Fuller Co. v. Morrison

Where an action in contract is brought against more than one defendant, the plaintiff may have judgment against such defendants as are found liable, notwithstanding it is found that all the defendants are not jointly liable. G.L. 1829. But separate and distinct judgments cannot be rendered in a joint action. Conti v. Johnson, 91 Vt. 467, 472, 100 A. 874;Metropolitan Washing Machine Co. v. Morris, 39 Vt. 393, 399. Where it is claimed that the defendants are all liable, but for different amounts, the plaintiff must elect or the court order which of them shall be discharged. Powers v. Thayer, 30 Vt. 361, 363; McKane v. Gordon, 85 Vt. 253, 261, 81 A. 637.

So, after defendant Magoon had admitted his liability upon certain items of the specifications, and judgment had been rendered against him alone for the amount thus represented, the jurisdiction of the court over the action was exhausted and it had no authority to proceed with the trial and render judgment against defendant Morrison for the remaining items. The latter's motion to dismiss the action as against him should have been granted and judgment entered in his favor to recover his costs. G.L. 2037, American Elec. Service, etc. Co. v. Harman, 103 Vt. 263, 267, 153 A. 217.

The question has not been waived by Morrison's subsequent entry of a general appearance and participation in the trial. An objection to jurisdiction over the subject-matter is never out of time, and neither waiver nor consent can confer jurisdiction where it is not given by law. Watson v. Payne, 94 Vt. 299, 301, 111 A. 462; Fillmore, Admr. v. Morgan's Estate, 93 Vt. 491, 493, 108 A. 840; Miner's Executrix v. Shanasy, 92 Vt. 110, 112, 102 A. 480. "No agreement or assent of parties will enable the court to render a judgment which the law does not warrant."Leonard v. Robbins, 13 Allen (Mass.) 217, 219; New York Trust Co. v. Brewster, 241 Mass. 155, 134 N.E. 616, 619. Neither does the failure to except to the judgment preclude our consideration of the point, since it was properly raised and has been brought before us by a bill of exceptions. ConnBoston Co. v. Griswold, 104 Vt. 89, 94, 157 A. 57.

The judgment against the trustee for the amount of its disclosure of funds belonging to Morrison must also be reversed and the trustee discharged. Since there was no jurisdiction to render judgment against this defendant, there was none to render judgment against the trustee. Washburn v. N.Y. Vt. Mining Co.,41 Vt. 50, 55.

As against defendant Morrison, the action is dismissed, andjudgment for him to recover his costs. Judgment against thetrustee reversed, and trustee discharged.