CJortifU ICatu ^rl|floI ffiihrarg uw^^.^^^-PS.'!!^" University Library KFN5267.G85 1918 ^'^*iii?ill'(,i,f!,!,.SEH,P*' "lortaages and conditi 3 1924 021 906 114 .■\ . ' - V V-, ■\' \ 'i. ■3, i , \ \V''^ J ■L 216, 235, 244, 245 § 66 236 § 67 236 § 106 '. 108 § 107 108 Kailroad Law, § 8, subd. 10 - 46. 3eal Property Law, § 33 37 § 290 63 Stock Corporation Law, § 6 42 § 66 45 Code of Civil Procedure, § 934 185 § 1391 .' 7» §§ 1689-1736 145 § 1730 146 §§ 2919-2933 145 Municipal Court Act, §§ 57-91 145 § 73 162, 239 § 77 ' 162 §§ 70-77 241 2 Rev. St. 136, § 5 107 Laws 1858, chap. 314 86, 87, 124 1897, chap. 417, § 25 108 1902, chap. 608 172 1907, chap. 732 : 173 1911, chap. 571 lOS TABLE OF CASES CITED TABLE OF CASES CITED [References are to pages.] Abrams v. Proctor, 148 N. Y. Supp. 213 109, 110 Abramson v. Potts, 69 Misc. 64, 125 N. Y. Supp. 1012 137, 140 Ackerman v. Rubens, 167 N. Y. 405 237 Aekley v. Finch, 7 Cow. 290 4, 40, 55 Adler v.Weis & Fisher Co., 218 N. Y. 295 247, 248 Adler v. Weis & Fisher Co., 66 Misc. 20, 119 N. Y. Supp. 634 247 Ainsworth v. Ehines, 34 Misc. 372, 69 N. Y. Supp. 876 239 Albany City Nat. Bank v. Hudson Eiver Brick Mfg. Co., 79 Hun 387, 29 N. Y. Supp. 793 157 Albert v. Steiner Mfg. Co., 42 Misc. 522, 86 N. Y. Supp. 16.2 213 Aldrich v. .^tna Co., 8 Wall. (U. S.) 491 194 Alexander v. Kellner, 131 App. Div. 809, 116 N. Y. Supp. 98 216, 246 Allen V. Becket, 84 N. Y. Supp. 1007 173 Allen V. Heinse, 20 N. Y. Supp. 38 83 Allen V. Judson, 71 N. Y. 77 146 Allen V. Voae, 34 Hun 57 143 American Box Machine Co. v. Zentgraf, 45 App. Div. 522, 61 N. Y. Supp. 417 230, 242, 243 American Trust Co. v. W. & A. Fletcher Co., 173 Fed. 471, 97 C. C. A. 477 192, 196 Anchor Brewing Co. v. Burns, 32' App. Div. 272, 52 N. Y. Supp. 1005 26, 30, 34 Anderson v. Hunn, 5 Hun 79 124, 174 \ Andrae Co., In re., 9 Am. B. R. 135, 117 Fed. 561 200, 208 Andrew v. Newcomb, 32 N. Y. 417 23, 33 Andrews v. Powers, 66 App. Div. 316, 72 N. Y. Supp. 597 219 Archer v. Cole, 23 How. Pr. 411 153 1902 Attorney-General's Rep. 163 94 1903 Attorney-General's Rep. 307 96 Austin V. Dye, 46 N. Y. 500 217 Auto Mortgage Co. v. Montegny, 168 N. Y. Supp. 670 229 Avalon, The, 169 Fed. 696 194, igg Avery v. Chapman, 127 N. Y. Supp. 721 241, 243 [xxiii] xxiv Table of Cases Cited. [References are to pages.] B Bailey v. Burton, 8 Wend. 339 122, 124, 165 Baillargeon v. Dumoulin, 148 N. Y. Supp. 443 115 Baillargeon v. Dumoulin, 165 App. Div. 730, 151 N. Y. Supp. 112 109 Bainbridge v. Richmond, 17 Hun 391 42, 108, 109, 117, 168 Baldinger v. Levine, 83 App. Div. 130, 82 N. Y. Supp. 483 223 Baldwin v. The Bradish Johnson, 3 Woods 582 195 Ball V. Slafter, 26 Hun 353 109, 110, 115, 116, 125 Ballard v. Burgett, 40 N. Y. 314 217 Ballou V. Cunningham, 60 Barb. 425 153, 154 Baltes V. Eipp, 1 Abb. Dec. 78, 3 Keyes 210 135 Balz V. Shaw, 13 Misc. 181, 34 N. Y. Supp. 5 77, 82 Bame v. Drew^ 4 Den. 287 121 Banfield v. Haeger, 13 J. & S. 428 172 Bank of Lansingburgh v. Crary, 1 Barb. 542 36, 165 Bank of Rochester v. Jones, 4 N. Y. 497 3, 27, 40, 66 Bardwell v. Roberts, 66 Barb. 433 17, 40 Barker v. Doty^ 4 Alb. L. J. 63 81, 85 Barrett v. Mack, 64 Misc. 333, 118 N. Y. Supp, 538 88 Barrett Mfg. Co. v. Van Eouk, 212 N. Y. 90 4 Barrow v. Paxton, 5 Johns. 258 16 Barry v. Colville, 129 N. Y. 302 10 Baskins v. Shannon, 3 N. Y. 310 81, 82 Bauman v. Kuhn, 57 Misc. 618, 108 N. Y. Supp. 773 157, 172 Baumann v. Cornez, 15 Daly 450, 8 N. Y. Supp. 480 135, 137, 138, 139 Baiunann v. Jefferson, 4 Misc. 147, 23 N. Y. Supp. 685 148, 149, 172 Baumann v. Libetta, 3 Misc. 518, 23 N. Y. Supp. 1 70, 71 Baumann v. Post, 16 Daly 385, 26 Abb. N. C. 134, 12 N. Y. Supp. 213. .59, 172 Baumgartner v. The W. B. Cole, 49 Fed. 587 194 Baxter v. Gilbert, 12 Abb. Pr. 97 61, 176, 177, 181 Baxter v. Wallace, 1 Daly 303 197^ igg Beadleston & Woerz v. Morton, 16 Misc. 72, 37 N. Y. Supp. 666 145 Bean v. Edge, 84 N. Y. 510 j 13 Beebe v. Prime, 99 Misc. 668, 166 N. Y. Supp. 56 98 Beeb« v. Richmond L. H. & P. Co., 13 Misc. 737, 35 N. Y. Supp. 1 38, SO, 35 Beekman v. Bond, 19 Wend, 444 107 Beers V. Waterbury, 8 Bosw. 396 92a, 96, 100, 101, 158 Bell V. New York Safety Steam Power Co., 183 Fed. 274 20, 87 Benjamin t). Elmira J. & C. R. Co., 54 N. y. 675 ' g.3 Bennett v. Earll, 21 Wend. 117 .'." 107 Bemer v. Kaye, 14 Misc. 1, 35 N. Y. Supp. 181. ; ' * 229 Bemheimer v. Blumenthal, 42 App. Div. 193, 58 N. Y. Supp. 1003,- 147 Bernbeimer & Schwartz Pilsener Brewing Co. v. Koehler Co., 42 Miso 377 86 N. Y. Supp. 716 174, 175 Beskin v. Feigenapan, 38 App. Div. 39, 53 N. Y. Supp. 750 65, 99 Table of Cases Cited. xxv [References are to pages.] Best V. Staple, 61 N. Y. 71 81, 85, 195 Betsinger v. Schuyler, 46 Hun 349 22, 31 Biehler v. Irwin, 84 N. Y. Supp. 574 148, 151, 152 Bigelow V. Goble, 9 App. Dlv. 391, 41 N. Y. Supp. 290 124, 151, 153 Billings V. Russell, 101 N. Y. 226 122 Birbeek v. Tucker, 2 Hall 121 197, 198 Bishop V. Cook, 13 Barb. 326 75, 76, 121 Bissell V. Hopkins, 3 Cow. 166 8 Bissell V. Pearce, 28 N. Y. 252 171, 185 Bissell V. Pearce, 21 How. Pr. 130 97, 180 Blake v. Corbett, 120 N. Y. 327 7, 47, 146 Blake v. Crowley, 12 St. Rep. 650, 28 Week. Dig. 139 157 Blanchard v. The Martha Washington, 1 Cliff. 463, Fed. Cas. No. 1,513.. 194 Bleakley v. Sullivan, 140 N. Y. 175 3 Blennerhasset v. Sherman, 105 U. S. 100' 79, 120, 122 Blodgett V. Wadhams, Hill & D. Supp. 65 55, 178 Bloomingdale v. Braun, 80 Misc. 527, 141 N. Y. Supp. 590. 241 Bloomingdale v. Gaudio, 85 Misc. 389, 147 N. Y. Supp. 432 145 Bloomingdale v. McKee, 97 Misc. 660, 163 N. Y. Supp. 286 56 Blumberg v. Marks, 87 N. Y. Supp. 513 174 Blumenthal v. Lvneh, 35 Abb. N. C. 85, 11 N. Y. Supp. 383 88, 89 Bogart V. The John Jay, 17 How. (U. S.) 899 193 Bohde V. Farley, 19 J. & S. 43 i 218 Booher v. Stewart, 75 Hun 314, 27 N. Y. Supp. 114 33, 33 Boon V. Moss, 70 N. Y. 465 13, 317 Booth V. Kehoe, 71 N. Y. 341 36, &1 Boschen v. Multicolor Sales Co., 98 Misc. 637, 163 N. Y. Supp. 202 247 Boshart v. Kirley, 34 Misc. 341, 69 N. Y. Supp. 623 109 Bowdish V. Page 153 N. Y. 104 88, 90 Bowdish V. Page, 81 Hun 170, 30 N. Y. Supp. 691 86, 99 Bowen v. Dawley, 116 App. Div. 568, 101 N. Y. Supp. 878 213, 328, 229, 244 Brackett v. Harvey, 9 N. Y. 214 109, 110, 112, 114, 115, 116 Bragelman v. Daue, 6? N. Y. 69 4, 5, 9, 131, 133, 141 Bramhall, Deane Co. v. McDonald, 173 App. Div. 780, 158 N. Y. Supp. 736 312, 241 Braynard v. Hoppock, 33 N. Y. 573 190, 191 Breakstone v. Buffalo Foundry & Machine Co., 167 App. Div. 62, 152 N. Y. Supp. 394 334, 245, 347 Breese v. Bange, 3 E. D. Smith 474 1, 6, 16i Breeze v. Bayne, 202 N. Y. 206 103 Brewer v. Ford, 54 Hun 116, 7 N. Y. Supp. 344 241, 34a Brewer v. Ford, 59 Hun 17, 13 N. Y. Supp. 619 242 Brewster v. Baker, 20 Barb. 364 Ig, Brig Wexford, The, 7 Fed. 674 ! ! ! ! 198 Briggs V. Austin, 8 N. Y. Supp. 786 50, 79" Briggs V. Gelm, 122 App. Div. 102, 106 N. Y. Supp. 693 108 Briggs V. OUver, 68 N. Y. 336 82, 147, 153, 156 Broadhead v. Smith, 55 Hun 499, 8 N. Y. Supp. 760 53 Broekman v. Buell, 16 Daly 90, 9 N. Y. Supp. 895 136, 146 Brown v. Bement, 8 Johns. 96 16, IS, 183 Brown v. Cook, 3 E. D. Smith 123 136, 146^ 151 Brown v. Guthrie, 110 N. Y. 435 20, 47* 4S xxvi Table of Cases Cited. [References are to pages.] Brown v. Kiefer, 71 N. Y. 610 48 Brown v. Piatt, 8 Bosw. 324 66, 117 Brown v. Rich, 40 Barb. 28 182 Brownell v. Hawkins, 4 Barb. 491 2, 16, 18 Brueker v. Carroll, 86 Misc. 412, 149 N. Y. Supp. 280 247 Brunnemer v. Cook & Bernheimer, 180 N. Y. 188 86, 87 Brunswiek-Balke-Collender Co. v. Stephenson, 4 ^f. Y. Supp. 123.. 27, 28, 30 Brush V. Evans, 21 J. & S. 523 , 129; 132 Bryan v. Smith, 13 Daly 331 138, 164, 165, 166 Bryant v. Woodruff, 5 Leg. Obs. 139 77, 141 Budweiser Brewing Co. v. Capparelli, 16 Misc. 502, 38 N. Y. Supp. 972. . 156 Bueb V. Geraty, 28 Misc. 134, 59 N. Y. Supp. 249' 72, 84 Bueb V. Geraty, 36 Misc. 161, 72 N. Y. Supp. 1071 84 Buffalo Steam Engine Works v. Sun Mutual Ins. Co., 17 N. Y. 401 4, 155 BuUard v. Kenyon, 24 N. Y. Supp. 374 78 Bunacleugh v. Poolman, 3 Daly 236 18, 131, 144, 153 Burdick v. McVanner, 2 Den. 170 4, 139, 144 Burghen v. Purdy, 27 App. Div. 460, 50 N. Y. Supp. 546 55 Burns v. Winchell, 44 Hun 261, 7 St. Eep. 640 128 Burritt V. Sheflfer, 13 N. Y. Supp. 849, 37 St. Eep. 591 48, 179 Buskirk v. Cleveland, 41 Barb. 610 40, 52 Butler V. Miller, 1 N. Y. 496 2, 150, 180 Butler V, People's Furniture Co., 124 N. Y. Supp. 645 247 Butler V. Van Wyek, 1 Hill 438 107 Button V. Rathbone, Sard & Co., 126 N. Y. 187 65> SOi, 83, 84 Cable V. White, 26 Wend. 511 190 Cambridge Soc. v. Elliott, 50 Misc. 159, 98 N. Y. Supp. 232 240 Camp V. Camp, 2 Hill 628 64, 65 Campbell v. Birch, 60 N. Y. 214 176, 177, 183 Campbell v. Parker, 9 Bosw. 322 16, 19 Campbell Printing Press, etc., Co. v. Damon, 48 Hun 509, 1 N. Y. Supp. 185 .78, 79 Campbell Printing Press, etc., Co. v. Oltrogge, 13 Daly 247 222, 223 Campbell Printing Press Co. v. Walker, 43 Hun 449 234 Canada, The, 7 Sawy. 173, 7 Fed. 248 196, 197 Canton, etc., Dental Co. v. Webb, 16 N. Y. Supp. 982 16, 230, 231 Caring V. Richmond, 22 Hun 369 112 Caring v. Richmond, 28 Hun 25 ■ 56 Carpenter v. Blate, 1 E. D. Smith 491 48 Carpenter v. Simmons, 1 Rob. 360, 28 How. Pr. 121 151 Carpenter v. Town, Hill & D. Supp. 72 13S Carter v. Black & White Cab Co., Inc., 102 Misc. 680, 169 N". Y. Supp. 441 227 Table of Cases Cited. xxvii [References are to pages.] Cartier v. Pabst Brewing Co., 112 App. Biv. 419, 98 N. Y. Supp. 516 4, 132, 133, 168 Case V. Boughton, 11 Wend. 106 144, 161 Casper v. Payne, 11 App. Div. 785, 97 N. Y. Supp. 863 241 Casserly v. Witherbee, 119 N. Y. 522 4, 5, 129, 131, 132, 133, 154 Castleman v. Pryor, 55 App. Div. 515, 67 N. Y. Supp. 229. / 79, 80, 88 Cavan v. Kelly, 3 Alb. L. J. 373 55 Ceas V. Bramley, 18 Hun 187 6, 17, 40 Gee Bee Cee Waist & Costume Co. v. Borenstein, 164 K Y. Supp. 703 248 Central Trust Co. V. West India Imp. Co., 169 N. Y. 314 31 Central Union Gas Co. v. Browning, 210 N. Y. 10 230 Chadwick v. Lamb, 29' Barb. 518 140', 142, 148, 153 Cnamberlain V. Martin, 43 Barb. 607 153, 154 Champagn v. Powell Medicine Co., 48 App. Div. 314, 63 N. Y. Supp. 26 143 Champion Shoe Machinery Co. v. Landman, 97 Misc. 642, 163 N. Y. Supp. 346 241 Champlin v. Butler, J8 Johns. 169 197, 198 Champlin v. Johnson, 39 Barb. 606 164, 165' Chandler v. Bunn, Hill & D. Supp. 167 41, 70, 71 Chandless v. Globe Storage and Carpet Cleaning Co., 49 Misc. 562, 98 N. Y. Supp. 511 177 Chapin v. Shafer, 49 N. Y. 407 41 Chapman v. Jenkins, 31 Barb. 164 136, 179, 180 Charter V. Stevens, 3 Den. 33 130, 139, 153, 155, 157, 183 Chatham Nat. Bank v. O'Brien, 6 Hun 231 117 Chemung Canal Bank v. Payne, 164 N. Y. 252 62„ 77 Chester v. Jumel, 5 N. Y. Supp. 809 61 Church V. I^apsham, 94 App. Div. 550, 88 N. Y. Supp. 222 27 City Bank of Rochester v. Westbury, 16 Hun 458 116 Clark V. Gilbert, 14 Week. Dig. 241 78 Clark V. Griffith, 24 N. Y. 595 130 Clark V. Henry, 2 Cow. 324 8, 11, 15, 26, 131 Clark V. McDuffie, 21 N. Y. Supp. 174 68, 85, 152, 165 Clement v. Congress Hall, 72 Misc. 519, 132 N. Y. Supp. 16 44, 51, 63, 85. Clifton, The, 143 Fed. 460 191, 192 Close V. Brennan, 12 Week. Dig. 347 146 Coats V. Donnell, 94 N. Y. 168 45 Coder v. Arts, 18 Am. B. R. 513, 152 Fed. 943 204, 207, 209 Coder v. McPherson, 18 Am. B. R. 523, 152 Fed. 951 204, 205 Cody V. First Nat. Bank, 63 App. Div. 199, 71 N. Y. Supp. 277 129 Coe V. Cassidy, 72 N. Y. 133 10, 144, 153, 154 Cohn V. Ammidown, 120 N. Y. 398 156 Coiro V. Baron, 158 App. Div. 591, 143 N. Y. Supp. 853 159 Coke Littleton, 205-a 1 Cole V. Mann, 62 N. Y. 1 213, 218, 238 Cole V. White, 26 Wend. 511 191 Collins V. Brush, 9 Wend. 198 107 Columbia Bank v. American Surety Co., 84 App. Div. 487, 82 N. Y. Supp. 1054 17* xxviii Table of Cases Cited. [References are to pages.] Columbia Fireproof Door and Trim. Co., 21 Am. B. R. 714, 168 Fed. 159. .. . 209 Comley v. Dazian, 114 N. Y. 161 3 Commercial Bank of Eoehester v. Davy, 81 Hun 200, 30 N. Y. Supp. 718. . 59, 97, 103, 179 ■Conderman v. Smithy 41 Barb. 404 28, 31 Conkey v. Hart, 14 N. Y. 22 : 138 Conkling v. Shelley, 28 N. Y. 360 51, 52, 112, 114 Consumers' Brewing Co. of Brooklyn v. Braun, 132 N. Y. Supp. 87 157, 161 Conveyor, The, 147 Fed. 586 196 Cook V. Bennettj 60 Hun 8, 14 N. Y. Supp. 689 115 Cooper V. Douglas, 44 Barb. 409 31, 32, 35 Corbett v. Gushing, 15 Daly 170, 4 N. Y. Supp. 616 i . .86, 170 Corning v. Ackley, 4 N. Y. Supp. 255, 21 St. Rep. 703 , 171 Corrigan v. Sammis, 65 Misc. 473, 120 N. Y. Supp. 69 137, 140, 166 Cortelyou v. Lansing, 3 Cai. Cas. 200 16, IQ' Corwin v. Wesley, 2 J. & S. 109 176 Costello V. Herbst, 18 Misc. 176, 41 N. Y. Supp. 574 214 Cottone V. Spivach, 159 i'^^. Y. Supp. 241 161 Craft V. Brandow, 61 App. Div. 247, TO N. Y. Supp. 364 41, 164, 167 Craig V. Tappin, a Sandf. Ch. 78 48 Crandall v. Brown, 18 Hun 461 27 Creamery Package Mfg. Co. v. Horton, 178 App. Div. 467, 165 N. Y. Supp. 257 i ., 828, 232 Creasey v. Sabre, 17 Hun 120 33 Crisfield «. Bogardus, 18 App. N. C, 334 77, 86 'Crocker-Wheeler Co. v. Genesee Recreation Co., 160 App. Div. 373, 145 N. Y. Supp. 477 219, 222, 228 Crocker-Wheeler Co. v. Genesee Recreation Co., 140 App. Div. 726, 125 N. Y. Supp. 721 224, 231, 232 Crocker- Wheeler Co. v. Genesee Recreation Co., 134 N. Y. Supp. 61 230 Crosby v. The Oriental, Fed. Cas. No. 3,424-a 195 Grouse v. Johnson, 65 Hun 337, 200 N. Y. Supp. 177 75 Grouse v. Schoolcraft, 51 App. Div. 160, 64 N. Y. Supp. 640 67, 78, 81 Crowe V. Liquid Carbonic Co., 208 N. Y. 396 245, 248 Crutts V. Daly, 84 Misc. 192, 145 N. Y. Supp. 850 143, 164* 165 Crump V. Wisner, 163 App. Div. 471, 148 N. Y. Supp. 401 401 Gullin V. Ryder, 44 Misc. 485, 89 N. Y. Supp. 465 79, 98, 100 Culver V. Sisson, 3 N. Y. 264 14g Cunningham v. Hedge, 12 App. Div. 212, 42 N. Y. Supp. 549 215 Curtis V. Leavitt, 15 N. Y. 9 107 Cutler V. James Gould Co., 43 Hun 516 '." .132, 182 Cutler Mail Chute Co. v. Crawford, 167 App. Div. 246, 152 N. Y. Supp. 750 ' 223 Cutting, In re, 145 Fed. 388 97, gg D Dane ». Mallory, 16 Barb. 46 45 139 153 Darling v. Hunt, 46 App. Div. 631, 61 N. Y. Supp. 278 .130^ 142! 143 Darrow v. Wendelstadt, 43 App. Div. 426, 60 N. Y. Supp. 174 4, 129 183 Davenport v. McChesney, 86 N. Y. 242 .' . I55' 156 David Brewing Co. v. Eastern Brewing Co., 22 App. Div. 523, 48 N y' Supp- 89 ! ..." 101 Table of Cases Cited. ' xxix [References are to pages.] David Stevenson Brewing Co. v. Iba, 155 N. Y. 224 82, 177 David Stevenson -Brewing Co. v. Iba, 12 Misc. 329, 33 N. Y. Supp. 642 85 Davidson v. Baldwin, 79 Fed. 95, 24 C. C. A. 453, 47 U. S. App. 589 197, 198 Davidson v. Osborne, 75 Misc. 391, 135 N. Y. Supp. 675 32, 67, 81 Davidson v. Osborne, 151 App. Div. 747, 136 N. Y. Supp. 247 .. , 80 Davis V. Bliss, 187 N. Y. 77 151, 219^ 238 Dean v. Bauer, 101 Misc. 301, 166 K. Y. Supp. 983 247 Dearing v. McKinnon Dash & Hdwe. Co., 165 N. Y. 78 54 Deeley v. Dwight, 132 N. Y. 59 30, 34 Deeley «. Dwight, 16 Daly 300', 11 N. Y. Supp. 60 ' 84 Delalid v. Miller & Cheney Bank, 26 Am. B. R. 744 204, 20^ Delano v. Wright, 1 Rob. 298 197, 198 Delany v. Valentine, 154 N. Y. 692 20, 21, 118, 119 Delaware v. Ensign, 21 Barb. 85 118 DeLuca v. Archer Mfg. Co., 49 Misc. 645, 97 N. Y. Supp. 1026 129, 132 Denier v. Bonewur, 134 App. Div. 577, 119 N. Y. Supp. 313 28, 30, 34 De Smet, The, 10 Fed. 483 195 Despard v. Walbridge, 15 N. Y. 374 10, 26 Dethoff V. Gattie, 103 N. Y. 589 148 Detroit Trust Co. «. Pontiac Savings Bank, 27 Am. B. R. 821 200 Dickinson V. Oliver, 195 N. Y. 238 8, 14 Dickinson v. Oliver, 96 App. Div. 65, 89 N. Y. Supp. 52 8, 14 Dikeman v. Puckhafer, 1 Abb. Pr. (N. S.) 32, 1 Daly 489^ 76, 135 Dillingham v. Bolt, 37 N. Y. 198 59, 82, 99 Dinniny v. Gavin, 4 App. Div. 298, 39 N. Y. Supp. 485 148 Diwer v. McLaughlin, 2 Wend. 596 49', 106, 122 Dix V. Van Wyck, 2 Hill 522 55 Doane v. Eddy, 16 Wend. 523 107 Dodge V. Norlin, 13 Am. B. R. 177, 133 Fed. 363 20O Dodge V. Potter, 18 Barb. 193 49, 52, 53, 75, 76 Doig V. Haverly, 92 Hun 176, 37 N. Y. Supp. 455 83 Dolson V. Sexton, 11 Hun 565 108, 112 Domestic Sewing Machine Co. v. Barry, 21 N. Y. Supp. 970, 51 St. Rep. 219 217 Donnelly v. McArdle, 86 App. Div. 33, 83 N. Y. Supp. 193 10, 11 Donohue V. Jackson, 15 N. Y. Supp. 458 88, Dodds V. O'Brien, 166 N. Y. Supp. 1065 76! Doods V. Johnson, 3 T. & C. 215 123 Doolittle v: Naylor, 2 Boaw. 206 178 Dorthy v. Servis, 46 Hun 628, 13 St. Rep. 1 86, ^H Dougherty v. Neville, 108 App. Div. 89, 95 N. Y. Supp. 806 235, 241 Dudley v. Hawley, 40 Barb. 397 150 DuflFus V. Bangs, 122 N. Y. 423 22 Duffus V. Bangs, 43 Hun 53 36 Duffus V. Howard Furnace Co., 8 App. Div. 567, 40 N. Y. Supp. 935 230 Dunham v. Silberstein, 33 Misc. 642, 66 N. Y. Supp. 475 81, 83 XXX Table of Cases Cited. [References are to pages.] Dunham v. Whitehead, 21 N. Y. 131 20, 21, IIS Dunning v. Stearns, 9 Barb. 630 31, 50, 51, 52, 56 Duntz V. Granger Brewing Co., 41 Mise. 177, 83 N. Y. Supp. 957 219, 223 Dutcher v. Swartwood, 15 Hun 31 ' 118- E Earle v. Gorham Mfg. Co., 2 App. Div. 460, 37 N. Y. Supp. 1037 132, 137, 139, 183 Earle v. Robinson, 91 Hun 363, 36 N. Y. Supp. 178 212 Earle V. Robinson, 12 Misc. 536, 33 N. Y. Supp. 606 241 East New York, etc.. Woodworking Co. v. Halpern, 140 App. Div. 201, ' 125 N. Y. Supp. Ill 230 Eastern Brewing Co. v. Feist, 21 Misc. 681, 48 N. Y. Supp. 29 83 Ebling V. HuBson, 22 J. & S. 377 79 E. DeBraekeleer & Co. v. Schwabeland, 86 Hun 143, 33 N. Y. Supp. 212. . 77, 81 Edgell V. Hart, 9 N. Y. 213 30, 52, lOS, 115, 117 Edgerly v. Bush, 81 N. Y. 199 54 Edmead v. Anderson, 118 App. Div. 16, 103 N. Y. Supp. 369 241 Edmiston v. Brucker, 40 Hun 256 154 Edward Thompson v. Vacheron, 69 Misc. 83, 125 K Y. Supp. 039 239 Ehrgott V. Forgotston, 17 N. Y. Supp. 381 55 Eisler v. Union Transfer and Storage Co., 16 Daly 456, 12 N. Y. Supp. 732 145, 172 Elder v. Rouse, 15 Wend. 218 148 Ella B., The^ 26 Fed. Ill 195 Ellis V. Kickett, 177 App. Div. 411, 164 N. Y. Supp. 243 194 Ellsworth V. Phelps, 30 Hun 646 114 Ely V. Camley, 19 N. Y. 496 93, 95 Emerson v. Knapp, 129 App. Div. 827, 114 N. Y. Supp. 794 146, 167 Emily Souder, The, 17 Wall. (U. S.) 666 196 Empire St. Type Founding Co. v. Grant, 114 N. Y. 40 218, 245. English V. Hanford, 75 Hun 428, 27 K. Y. Supp. 672 244 Equitable Gen. Prov. Co. v. Potter, 22 Misc. 124, 48 N. Y. Supp. 647.. 239, 2i-£. Equitable General Providing Co. v. Stein, 16 Misc. 5.82, 38 N. Y. Supp. 774 215 Equitable Providing Co. v. Eisentrager, 31 Misc. 707, 65 N. Y. Supp. 296 240 Equitable Providing Co.c. Eisentrager, 34 Miac. 179, 68 N. Y. Supp. 866 239, 240 Etheridge v. Sperry, 139 U. S. 266 200 Excelsior Brewing Co. v. Smith, 125 App. Div. 668, 110 N. Y. Supp. 8. . 37 Table of Cases Cited. xxxi [References are to pages.] .Fairbanks v. Bloomfield, 5 Duer 434 48, 107, 119, 141, 142, 150, 165, 166, 195 Fairbanks v. Nichols, 135 App. Div. 298, 119 N. Y. Supp. 752 245, 247 Farmers' Bank of Washington County ». Cowan, 2 Abb. Dec. 88, 2 Keyes 217 4, 127, 156, 164 Farmers' L. & T. Co. v. Baker, 20 Misc. 387, 46 N. Y. Supp. 266 87, 102, 104 Farmers' L. & T. Co. v. Hendriekson, 25 Barb. 484 37, 81 Farmers' L. & T. Co. v. Long Beach Improvement Co., 27 Hun 89. . . . 27, 30, 31, 35 Farmers and Mechanics' Nat. Bank of Buffalo v. Lang, 87 N. Y. 209 27 Farrell v. Hildreth, 38 Barb. 178 140, 142, ISO, 166 Favorite, The, 3 Sawy. 405, Fed. Cas. No. 4,69® 196 Fellows V. Van Hysing, 23 How. Pr. 230 55, 185 Fennikoh v. Gunn, 59 App. Div. 132, 69 N. Y. Supp. 12 12, 213, 231 Ferguson 17. Lee, 9 Wend. 258 163 Ferguson v. Union Furnace Co., 9 Wend. 345 18, 40 Ferguson Contracting Co., In re, 183 Fed. 830 228 Ferraro v. Stramello, 134 N. Y. Supp. 535 50 Fidelity Loan Assoc, v. Connolly, 92 N. Y. Supp. 252 4, 5, 141, 145, 162 Fidelity Trust and Guaranty Co. v. Bell, 63 App. Div. 523, 71 N. Y. Supp. 651 118 Field V. Ingraham, 15 Misc. 529, 37 N. Y. Supp. 1135 67, 79 Filkins v. Cruice, 21 Week. Dig. 292 136, 143 First Nat. Bank v. Kelly, 57 N. Y. 34 27, 66 First Nat. Bank of Canton, In re, 14 Am. B. R. 180, 135 Fed. 62 20O Fischman v. Levin, 83 Misc. 107, 144 N. Y. Supp. 674 130 Fishel V. Hamilton Storage Warehouse Co., 42 Misc. 532, 86 N. Y. Supp. 196 130, 157, 164 Fisher V. Stout, 74 App. Div. 97, 77 N. Y. Supp. 945 8 Fiske V. Peebles, 13 St. Rep. 743 223 Fitch V. Humphrey, 1 Den. 163 96 Fitzgerald V. Atlanta Home Ins. Co., 61 App. Div. 350, 70 N. Y. Supp. 552 39, 40, 62 Fitzgerald v. Fuller^ 19 Hun 180 , 218 Fitzgibbons Boiler Co. v. City of New York, 173 App. Div. 463, 159 N. Y. Supp. 357 220 Fitzgibbons Boiler Co. v. Manhasset Realty Co., 125 App. Div. 764, 110 N. i. Supp. 225 219 Flannell v. O'Brien, 43 App. Div. 534, 60 N. Y. Supp. 101 47 lleetham v. Reddick, 82 Hun 390, 31 N. Y. Supp. 343 30, 32, 33, 34 Flint Hill Stone and Construction Co., In re, 18 Am. B. R. 81, 149 Fed. 1007 201, 203 Flynn v. Badger, 173 App. Div. 71, 158 N. Y. Supp. 859 223 Folger V. Weber, 16 Hun 512 194 Ford V. Cobb, 20 N. Y. 344 36 xxxii iTable of Cases Cited. ' [References are to pages.] Ford V. Eansom, 8 Abb. Pr. (N. S.) 416 141 Ford V. Williams, 13 N. Y. 577 108, 110 Ford V. Williams, 24 N. Y. 359 ll^, 117 Fowler v. Haynes, 14 Week. Dig. 376 165 Fox V. Burns, 12 Barb, 677 lOO, 131 Frank V. Batten, 49 Hun 91, 1 N. Y. Supp. 705. . . .213, 216, 217, 218, 231, 233 Fraser v. Gilbert, 11 Hun 634 78 Freeman v. Engel, 168 N. Y. Supp. 1014 236 Freeman v. Menks, 153 1>. Y. Supp. 361 241 French v. Powers, 120 N. Y. 128 154 French v. Powers, 18 Week. Dig. 86 154, 155 French v. Eow, 77 Hun 380 215 Friedman v. Phillips, 84 App. Div. 179, 82 N. Y. Supp. 96 213 Frisbey v. Thayer, 25 Wend. 396 107 Frost V. Mott, 34 N. Y. 253 5ff, 107, 124 Frost V. Warren, 42 N. Y. 204 49, 115, 117, 122 Fuller V. Acker, 1 Hill 473 135, 139, 141, 145 Fulton, /» re, 153 Fed. 664 , 37 Furman v. Melnick, 154 N. Y. Supp. 100 137 Furniture Co., In re, 15 Am. B. R. 119 SOS G Galen v. Brown, 23 N. Y. 37 52, 53, 164, 166 Gandy v. Collins, 214 N. Y. 293 18, 77 Gardner v. Adams, 12 Wend. 297 107 Gardner v. McEwan, 19 N. Y. 123 28, 29, 115, 117 Gardner v. Town of Cameron, 155 App. Div. 750, 140 N. Y. Supp. 634 213 Garlick v. James, 12 Johns. 146 19 Garrison v. Quick, 38 App. Div. 93, 57 N. Y. Supp. 895 173 Gaul V. Gouldburg Furniture & Carpet Co., 85 Misc. 426, 147 N. Y. Supp. 516 12, 144 General Electric Co. v. Wightpan, 3 App. Div. 118, 39 N. Y. Supp. 420 26 Gerber v. Mandel, 56 N. Y. Supp. 1030 223, 328 German-American Bank of Towanda v. P. W. Scriber Lumber Co., 81 Hun 140, 30 N. Y. Supp. 740 145, 147 Gerry, In re, 7 Am. B. R. 459, 112 Fed. 957 210 Gerstman, In re, 157 Fed. 549 79 Gibson t>. Ferris, 30 St. Rep. 663, 9 N. Y. Supp. 525 , 99> Gildersleeve v. Landon, 73 N. Y. 60? 82, 100 Githens, etc., Co. v. Shiffler Bros., 7 Am. B. R. 453, 112 Fed. 505 203 Glover v. Ehrlich, 62 Misc. 245, 114 N. Y. Supp, 992 45, 115 Godard V. Gould, 14 Barb. 662 , . . . 2191 Goldsmith v. Levin, 9 St. Rep. 313 I09 Gomez v. Kampling, 4 Daly 77 14^ I5 Goodhue v. Berrien, 2 Sandf . Ch. 630 62, 123 Goodwin v. Baycrle, 18 Misc. 62, 41 N. Y. Supp. 20 83 GoodKwin v. Kelly, 42 Barb. 194 ' 9', 63 Goodyear v. Brooks, 4 Rob. 682, 2 Abb. Pr. (N. S.) 296 .' 157 Gore V. Glover, 49 Misc. 473, 97 N. Y. Supp. 969 3, 7, 5 Table of Cases Cited. zxxiii [References are to pages.] Gonnully & Jeffrey Mfg. Co. v. Catharine, 25 Mise. 338, 55 N. Y. Supp. 475 242 Gould V. Browne, 4 Leg. Obs. 423 70, 93 Gould V. Marsh, 1 Hun 566, 4 T. & C. 128 178 Goulet V. Asseler, 22 N. Y. 225 150, 165 Gove V. Morton Trust Co., 96 App. Div. 177, 89 N. Y. Supp. 247 87 Grant v. Griffith, 39 App. Div. 107, 56 N. Y. Supp. 791 223, 224 Grant v. Skinner, 21 Barb. 581 13 Grant v. Smith, 88 Hun 32, 34 N. Y. Supp. 538 136, 137, 138 Graser v. Stellwagen, 25 N. Y. 315 41 Grasmuck v. Baur, 12 Daly 180 79 Graves Elevator Co. V. Callanan, 11 App. Div. 301, 42 N. Y. Supp. 930. . 30, 31, 218, 222, 223, 224 Gray v. Booth, 64 App. Div. 231, 71 N. Y. Supp. 1015 240 Greacen v. Poehlman, 191 N. Y. 493 214 Green v. Van Buskirk, 74 U. S. 139 54 Gregg V. Witteman, 12 Misc. 90, 32 N. Y. Supp. 1131 149, 165 Gregory v. Thomas, 20 Wend. 17 59, 82, 83, lOO, 180 Griffin V. Armsted, 162 App. Div. 936, 147 N. Y. Supp. 1114 157 Griswold v. Sheldon, 4 N. Y. 581 108 Groat V. Eees, 20 Barb. 26 107 Grok's Sons v. Feldman, 40 Misc. 303, 81 N. Y. Supp. 970 144 Guaranty Trust Co. v. Troy Steel Co., 33 Misc. 484, 68 N. Y. Supp. 915. . . 62 Guiding Star, The, 9 Fed. 521 192, 196 Guilford V. Mills, 18 N. Y. Supp. 275 167 H Haffen Brewing Co., 78 Misc. 366, 138 N. Y. Supp. 426 52 Hakes v. Thornton, 59 App. Div. 464, 69 N. Y. Supp. 234 165 Hale V. Omaha Nat. Bank, 49 N. Y. 626 34 Hale V. Omaha Nat. Bank, 64 N. Y. 550 35 Hale V. Omaha Nat. Bank, 7 J. & S. 207 150, 165, 174 Hale V. Sweet, 40 N. Y. 97 80 Hall V. Ditaon, 5 Abb. (N. C.) 198 26, 131, 132, 154 Hall ». Sampson, 35 N. Y. 274 140, 150, 166 Hall V. Tuttle, 8 Wend. 375 107 Halladay v. Worthington, 9« Misc. 141, 163 N. Y. Supp. 362. .77, 79, 86, 88, 108 . Halstead v. Swartz, 1 T. & C. 559, 46 How. Pr. 289 4, 131, 133. 137, 154, 183 Hamil, Matter of 231, 233 Hamill v. Gillespie, 48 N. Y. 556 147, 165 Hammond, In re, 26 Am. B. R. 336 209 Hanford v. Artcher, 4 Hill 271 107 Hangen v. Hachemeister, 114 N. Y. 566 108, 109, 110, 1155, 125 Hanrahanr. Eoche, 22 Alb. L. J. 134 42 Hanson v. Kassmayer, 91 N. Y. Supp. 755 157 Harder v. Plass, 57 Hun 540, 11 N. Y. Supp. 226 32, 83 xxxiy Table of Cases Cited. [References are to pages.] Hardin v. Dolge, 46 App. Div. 416, 61 N. Y. Supp. 753 62, 77 Hardt v. Deutsch, 30 App. Div. 589, 52 N. Y. Supp. 335... Ill, 117, 156, 167 Hare v. FoUett, 17 N. Y. Supp. 569 22, 23 Harris v. Automatic Press Co. v. Demareat Pattern Co., 47 Misc. 624, 94 N. Y. Supp. 462 157 Harris v. Batjer, 26 Misc. 702, 57 N. Y. Supp. 90 86 Harris v. Gunn, 37 Misc. 796, 77 N. Y. Supp. 20 229 Harris v. Wessels, 5 Hun 645 42 Harrison v. Burlingame, 48 Hun 212 26, 61 Hart V. Taylor, 82 N. Y. 373 26, 30 Hartman, In re, 185 Fed. 196 108, 112, 115, 116, 125 Hasbrouck v. Vandervoort, 4 Sandf. 74 19 Haskins V. Kelly, 1 Abb. Pr. (N. S.) 63, 1 Rob. 160 16, 17, 19, 60, 163 Haskins v. Patterson, 1 Edm. Sel. Cas. 120 17, 18, 19 Hastings v. Parke, 22 Alb. L. J. 115 115, 116 Hathaway v. Brayman, 42 N. Y. 322 149, 164 Hathaway v. Howell, 54 N. Y. 97 68, 69 75 Havens v. Exstein, 9 N. Y. Supp. 605 113 Hawkins v. Beakes, 80 Hun 292, 30 N. Y. Supp. 91 15, 22 Hawkins v. Giles, 45 Hun 318 23 Hawver v. Bell, 19 N. Y. Supp. 612, 46 St. Eep. 447 143 Hayman v. Jones', 7 Hun 238 77 Haynes v. Hart, 42 Barb. 58 245 Hazlett V. Hamilton Storage and Warehouse Co., 47 Misc. 660, 94 N. Y. Supp. 580 141, 146 Hedges v. Polhemua, 9 Misc. 680, 30 N. Y. Supp. 556 109, 118, 123, 125 Heinrich v. Van Wrickler, 80 App. Div. 250, 80 N. Y. Supp. 226 234 Heise v. Selected Securities Co., 105- N. Y. Supp. 1079 10 Hendrick Hudson, The, Fed. Cas. No. 6,358 195 Hendricks v. Robinson, 2 Johns. Ch. 283 48, 154, 164, 167 Henry Elias Brewing Co. v. Boeger, 132 N. Y. Supp. 286 82, 83, 85, 178 Herden v. Walther, 9 N. Y. Supp. 926 94 Herring v. Hoppock, 15 N. Y. 409' 213, 216 Herring v. Wlllard, 2 Sandf. 418 218 Hesketh v. Stevens, 7 Barb. 488 197 Hess V. Sprague, 13 Week. Dig. 164 24 Hewitt V. Berlin Machine Works, 194 U. S. 286 232 Hickerson, In re, 20 Am. B. R. 682, 162 Fed. 345 208 Hicks, Matter of, 27 Am. B. R. 168 210 Hicks V. Williams, 17 Barb. 523 66, 68, 71, 195 Hill V. Beehe, 13 N. Y. 556 100, 179, 180 Hills V. White, 71 Hun 511, 24 N. Y. Supp. 1065 117, 118 Hincks v. Field, 14 N. Y. Supp. 247, 37 St. Rep. 724 47, 115, 123 Hinman v. Judson, 13 Barb. 629 152 Table of Cases Cited. xxxv [References are to pages.] Hirsch v. Graves Elevator Co., 24 Misc. 472, 53 N. Y. Supp. 664 223 Hobart Electric Mfg. Co. v. Rooder, 121 N. Y. Supp. 274 242 Hof V. Mager, 168 App. Div. 318, 154 N. Y. Supp. 60 77, 82, 84 Hoffman v. White Sewing Mach. Co., 123 App. Div. 166, 108 N. Y. Supp. 253 246, 247 HoUacher v. O'Brien, 5 Hun 277 107 Hopkins v. Davis, 23 App. Div. 235, 48 N. Y. Supp. 745 228 Horton v. Davis, 26 N. Y. 495 85 Howland v. Willett, 3 Sandf. 607 135, 165 Hoyle V. Plattsburgh and Montreal E. Co., 54 N. Y. 314 37, 62 Hoyt V. Martense, 16 N. Y. Supp. 231 26, 133 Huber v. Ehlers, 76 App. Div. 602, 79' N. Y. Supp. 150 68 Huggans v. Fryer, 1 Lans. 276 142, 161 Hughes V. Harlan, 166 N. Y. 427 13, 14, 131 Hughes «.. Harlan, 37 App. Div. 528, 55 N. Y. Supp. 1106 131 Hull, In re, 8 Am. B. R. 302, 115 Fed. 858 206 Hull V. Carnley, 11 N. Y. 501 150, 165 Hull V. Carnley, 2 Duer 99 107, 119 Hulsen v. Walter, 34 How. Pr. 385 127, 130, 136, n», 144, 173 Huntington v. Mather, 2 Barb. 538, 6 N. Y. Leg. Obs. 206 16, 17, 19 Hurley v. Allman Gas Engine and Machine Co., 144 App. Div. 300, 129' N. Y. Supp. 14 248 Hussey v. Richardson-Roberts Dry Goods Co., 17 Am. B. R. 511, 148 Fed. 598 204 Susted V. Ingraham, 75 N. Y. 251 20, 35', 42 Hutchings v. Munger, 41 N. Y. 155 215 Hyde i;. Bloomingdale, 23 Misc. 728, 51 N. Y. Supp. 1025 120, 122 "Hyer v. Sutton, 59 Hun 40, 12 N. Y. Supp. 378 143, 161 I Ideal Cash Register Co. v. Zunino, 39 Misc. 311, 79 N. Y. Supp. 504 215, 240 Iden V. Sommers, 29 J. & S. 177, 18 N. Y. Supp. 779 238 Independent Brewing Co. v. Durston, 55 Misc. 498, 106 N. Y. Supp. 686. . 83 Industrial Loan Assoc, v. Saul, 34 Misc. 188, 68 N. Y. Supp. 837 60, 86, 93, 94, 98, 99, 172 J Jackson v. Kasseall, 30 Hun 231 171 Jacob V. Columbia Storage Warehouses, 125 App. Div. 556, 109 N. Y. Supp. 1015 239, 243 Jacobs V. Feinstein, 133 App. Div. 416 219 James v. Oakley, 1 Abb. Pr. 324 55 xxxvi Table of Cases Cited. [References are to pages.] Jaqueth v. Merritt, 29 Hun 584 »9, 105 J. B. Limt, The, Fed. Oas. No. 7,246 189, 192 Jencks v. Smith, 1 N. Y. 90. ., 32, 70 Jermyn v. Hunter, 93 App. Div. 175, 87 N. Y. Supp. 546 219 Jermyn ». Sehweppenhauser, 33 Misc. 603, 68 N. Y. Supp. 153 219, 220 J. E. Eumbell, The, 148 U. S. 15 192, 196 John Farron, The, 14 Blatehf. 24 19« John T. Moore, The, 3 Woods 61, Fed. Cas. No. 7,430 194, 195, 196 Johnson, In re, 8 Am. B. R. 423, 111 Fed. 404 20O Johnson v. Crofoot, 53 Barb. 574 22 Johnson v. Curtis, 42 Barb. 588 113 Johnson ». Phillips, 2 N. Y. Supp. 432 , 122, 12a Johnston v. Flickinger, 97 Misc. 169, 160 N. Y. Supp. 962 26 Jones V. Graham, 77 N. Y. 628 83, 100 Jones V. Howell, 3 Rob. 438 83, 174 Josephine Spangler, The, 9 Fed. 773 195 Judson V. Easton, 58 N. Y. 664 4, 141 K Kane v. Stark, 15 Week. Dig. 500 47 Karst V. Gane, 136 N. Y. 316 59', 66, 67, 78, 81, 88 Karst V. Gane, 61 Hun 533, 16 N. Y. Supp. 385 78 Katz V. Diamond, 16 Mise. 577, 38 N. Y. Supp. 766 128, 238 Kauffman v. Klang, 16 Misc. 379, 38 N. Y. Supp. 56 230 Kaufman v. Schwartz, 174 App. Div. 239, 160 N. Y. Supp. 1056 55, 162 Keefer v. Greene, 16 N. Y. Supp. 498 141, 142, 151, 164 Keller r. Paine, 107 N. Y. 83 54, 68, 69 Keller v. Paine, 34 Hun 167 7 Keller v. Straus, 35 Misc. 35, 70 N. Y. Supp. 126 215 Kelley v. Ruppert, 173 App. Div. 116, 159 N. Y. Supp. 366 135 Kelly V. Gushing, 48 Barb. 269 , 190 Kemp V. Cornley, 3 Duer 1 50 Kennedy v. National Union Bank of Watertown, 23 Hun 494 28, 29, 35, 42, 79, 83 Kennedy ». Strobe!, 77 Hun 96, 28 N. £". Supp. 452 184 Kenney v. Planer, 3 Daly 131 218 Kerby v. Clapp, 15 App. Div. 37, 44 N. Y. Supp. 116 219, 223 Kerr v. Dildine, 6 St. Rep. 163 112, 116 Kilburn v. Low, 12 Week. Dig. 556 98 Kimball v. Farmers and Mechanics' Nat. Bank, 138 N. Y. 50O 4, 173, 189, 197, 198, 199 Kimball v. Farmers and Mechanics' Nat. Bank, 11 N. Y. Supp. 730, 33 St. Rep. 870 193 Kindleberger v. Kunow, 122 App. Div. 158, 106 N. Y. Supp. 597 234 King V. Van Vleck, 109 N. Y. 363 26, 129 Table of Cases Cited. xxxvii [References are to pages.] King V. Van Vleok, 40 Hun 68 Ifr, 129, 131, 152 King V. Walbridge, 48 Hun 470, 1 N. Y. Supp. 11 154 Kings Co. Bank v. Courtney, 69 Hun 152, 23 N. Y. Supp. 542 80 Kinsey v. Bailey, 9 Hun 452 36, 37 Kirk V. Crystal, 118 App. Div. 32, 103 N. Y. Supp. 17. 219, 220, 230 Kitchen v. Lowery, 127 N. Y. 53 79, 80, 90, 127, 130 Klein v. Cohen; 142 App. Div. 500, 127 N. Y. Supp. 171 230, 238 Kleinberger v. Brown, 26 J. & S. 4, 8 N. Y. Supp. 866 126, 164, 174 Knapp V. Alvord, 10 Paige 205 63 Knapp V. Gregory, 20 N. Y. Supp. 21 122 Koehler & Son Co. v. Flebbe, 21 App. Div. 310, 47 N. Y. Supp. 369 26 Kraus V. Black, 56 Misc. 641, 107 N. Y. Supp. 609' 4, 141, 142 Kribbs v. Alford, 120 N. Y. 519 28, 33, 35, 60 Kurzweil v. Story & Clark Piano Co., 95 Misc. 484, 159 N. Y. Supp. 231. . . 236 Lain v. Sayer, 50 App. Div. 554, 64 N. Y. Supp. 248. 77, 86, 126 Lambert v. Leland, 2 Sweeney 218 184 Lane v. Lutz, 1 Keyes 203, 3 Abb. Dee. 19 78 Langdon v. Buel, 9 Wend. 80 3, 18, 19, 177 Lathers v. Hunt, 16 Daly 135, 9 N. Y. Supp. 494 63, 146, 153, 157 Lathers v. Hunt, 16 Daly, 349, 10 N. Y. Supp. 529 145 Lathrop v. Selleck, 70 App. Div. 357, 74 N. Y. Supp. 101 228 Latimer v. Wheeler, 30 Barb. 485 99 Leadbetter v. Leadbetter, 125 N. Y. 290 137, 138, 164, 166 Ledoux V. Bank of America, 24 App. Div. 123, 48 N. Y. Supp 771 67 Ledoux «. East Eiver Silk Co., 19 Misc. 440, 44 N. Y. Supp 489 80, 81 Lee V. Huntoon, Hoff. Ch. 447 63, 65, 105 Leigh, In re, 2 Am. B. E. 606 208 Leitch V. HoUister, 4 N. Y. 211 20, 21, 118 Leland, /n re. Fed. Cas. 8,234, 10 Blatchf. 503 87, 93 Lembeck, etc.. Brewing Co. v. Sexton, 184 N. Y. 185 27, 156, 157, 158, 159 Lempke v. Peterson, 1 City Ct. R. 15 174 Leonard v. Montague, 155 App. Div. 506, 140 N. Y. Supp. 562 245, 247 Leslie v. HoflFman, 1 Edm. Sel. Cas. 475 54, 55 Levin v. Russell, 42 N. Y. 251 103 Levy V. Hamilton, 68 App. Div. 277, 74 N. Y. Supp. 159 49, 121, 122, 123 Levy V. Horn, 90 Misc. 624, 153 N. Y. Supp. 913 55, 213 Levy V. Reich, 78 Misc. 413, 138 N. Y. Supp. 419 144 Levy V. Welsh, 2 Edw. Ch. 438 28, 29 Lewis V. Graham, 4 Abb. Pr. 106 2, 16, 19 Lewis V. Palmer, 28 N. Y. 271 100, 169 Live Oak, The, 30 Fed. 78 196 Livorv. Orser, 5 Duer 501 128, 152, 165, 167 Loewenstein v. Loewenstein, 114 App. Div 95, 99 N. Y. Supp. 730 182 xxxviii Table of Cases Cited. [References are to pages.] London Realty Co. v. Coleman Stable Co., 140 App. Div. 495, 125 N. Y. Supp. 410 44, 45 Longenecker v. Kuhn, 126 App. Dlv. 254, 110 N. Y. Supp. 517 129, 141 Look V. Comstock, 15 Wend. 244 47, 119 Lord V. Yonkers Fuel Gas Co., 90 N. Y. 551 44 Loss V. Fry, 1 City Ct. Rep. 7 169 Lottowanna, The, 21 Wall 558 19* Lowy V. Hardman, Peek & Co., 176 App. Div. 131, 16S N. Y. Supp. 461.. -.v. 245 Ludden v. Hazen, 31 Barb. 650 218, 819 Ludwig V. Kipp, 20 Hun 365. ., 29, 35 Ludwig, Bauman & Co. v. Rotb, 67 Misc. 458, 123 N. Y. Supp. 191 173 Luken, In re, 14 Am. B. R. 683, 133 Fed. 188 208 Lyman v. Bowe, 66 How. Pr. 481 165 Lynch v. Tibbets, 24 Barb. 51 127, 181, 184 M Mablett v. White, 12 N. Y. 454 41 Mack V. Phelan, 92 N. Y. 20 100, 149 Madrid, The, 40 Fed. 677 192, 194 Mahland, In re, 26 Am. B. K. 81 208 Maimin Co. v. Weaver, 164 N. Y. Supp. 229 24S Maitland v. The Atlantic, Newb. Adm. 514, Fed. Caa. No. 8,960 190, 191 Malcom v. O'Reilly, 89 N. Y. 156 148 Maloughney v. Hegeman, 9 Abb. N. C. 403 151 Manchester v. Tibbetts, 121 N. Y. 219 121, 164 Mandeville v. Avery, 124 N. Y. 376 108, 118, 125 Manhattan Co. v. Laimbeer, 108 N. Y. 590 76 Manning V. Monaghan, 23 N. Y. 539 151 Manning v. Monaghan, 28 N. Y. 585 150, 151, 165 Manning v. Monaghan, 10 Bosw. 231 97 Manufacturers' Nat. Bank of New York v. Rober, 19 Week. Dig. 476.77, 79, 80 Manufacturers', etc.. Bank of Buffalo v. Koch, 8 St. Rep. 37 115, 117 Marsden v. Cornell, 62 N. Y. 215 49, 94, 95, lOO, 102, 122 Marsh v. Kinney, 11 Week. Dig. 144 48 Marsh v. Lawrence, 4 Cow. 461 8, 164 Marsh v. The Winnie, Fed. Cas. No. 9,117 195 Marsop V. O'Neill, 1 Month. L. Bull. 67 86 Marston V. Vultee, 8 Bosw. 129, 12 Abb. Pr. 143 109, 111, 117 Martin v. Hill, 12 Barb. 631 54 Martin v. Hulen & Co., 17 Am. B. R. 510, 149 Fed. 982 201 Martin v. Lewinski, 54 App. Div. 573, 66 N. Yj Supp. 998 I49 Martin v. Rothschild, 42 Hun 410 70 Hatthews v. Sheehan, 69 N. Y. 585 7, 10, 13, 14, 47, 129, 147 JHatthews v. Sniffen, 10 Daly 200 6O1, 62 Table of Cases Cited. xxxix [References are to pages.] Matthews v. Victor Hotel Co., 132 N. Y. Supp. 37& 3, 86, 140i, 170 Mattlson V. Baucus, 1 N. Y. 295 164, 165 Mattley v. Giesler, 26 Am. B. R. 116 205, 206 Maxwell v. Inman, 42 Hun 265 185 McAdam v. Spielberry, 1 Month. L. Bull. 71 115 McCaffrey v. Woodin, 65 N. Y. 459' 22, 29, Sft, 32, 34, 35, 3» McClelland V. Eemsen, 36 Barb. 622 21 McClelland v. Eemsen, 3 Abb. Dec. 74, 5 Abb. Pr., N. S., 250 41 McCombs V. Becker, 3 Hun 342 23 MeCormick v. Venable, 12 N. Y. Supp. 152 lOO McCrea v. Hopper, 35 App. Div. 572, 55 N. Y. Supp. 136. .93, 100, 101, 156, 158 McDavid Lumber Co., In re, 27 Am. B. R. 39 201 McDermott v. Strong, 4 Johns. Ch. 687 167, 168 McDonald, Matter of, 23 Am. B. E. 51, 173 Fed. 99' 208 McDonald v. City Trust Safe Deposit & Surety Co., 39 Misc. 562, 80 N. Y. Supp. 406 88 McDonald v. Safe Deposit & Surety Co., 32 Misc. 644, 66 N. Y. Supp. 475 51, 81 McEhron v. Martine, 111 App. Div. 805, 97 N. Y. Supp. 961 27 McEntee v. Scott, 2 T. & C. 284 216 McFarland v. Wheeler, 26 Wend. 467 16 McGovern, Matter of, 118 N. Y. Supp. 378 80, 98 Melntyre V. Scott, 8 Johns. 159 197 McKinster v. Babcock, 26 N. Y. 378 48.49, 122 McLachlan v. Wright, 3 Wend. 348 106 McLean v. Bloch, 52 Misc. 545, 102 N. Y. Supp. 838 224 McLean v. Walker, 10 Johns. 471 19 McLoon, In re, 20 Am. B. E. 719, 162 Fed. 575 202 McMillan v. Leaman, 101 App. Div. 436, 91 N. Y. Supp. 1065 219 McNeeley v. Welz, 166 N. Y. 124 26, 28, 30 Mechanics and Traders' Bank v. Bergen Heights Realty Corp., 137 App. Div. 45, 122 N. Y. Supp. 33 220, 231 Medina, etc.. Light Co. v. Buffalo, etc.. Safe Deposit Co., 119 App. Div. 245, 104 N. Y. Supp. 625 28, 34 Meech v. Patchin, 14 N. Y. 71 59, 99 Merchants Banking Co. v. Cargo of Afton, 134 Fed. 727, 67 C. C. A. 618 198, 199 Merritt v. Bartholick, 36 N. Y. 44 177 Merry v. Wilcox, 92 Hun 210, 36 N. Y. Supp. 1050 67, 90 Metropolitan Concert Co. v. Sperry, 9 St. Rep. 342 36 Michelson v. Fowler, 27 Hun 159 129 Midas V. Lefstein, 126 N. Y. Supp. 535 153 Milicie v. Pearson, 110 App. Div. 770, 97 N. Y. Supp. 431 219 Miller v. Lockwood, 32 N. Y. 29S 48, 49, 112, 122, 180 xl Table of Cases Cited. [References are to pages.] Millicamp ». People, 14 Week. Dig. 252 128 Milliman v. Neher, 20 Burb. 37 21, 33, Ml Mills V. Virginia-Carolina Lumber Co., 20 Am. B. R. 750, 164 Fed. 168.. 209 Miln V. Spinola, 4 Hill 177 198 Hiner v. Judson, 2 Hun 441 ' 3 Mitchell V. Dane, 129 N. Y. Supp. 404 : 142, 143 Mittnacht v. Kelly, 3 Keyes 407, 5 Abb. Pr., N. S., 442 115, 123 Moloughney v. Hegeman, 9 Abb. N. C. 403 150 Moneyweight Scale Co. v. Mehling, 69 Misc. 331, 125 N. Y. Supp. 532 240, 241, 242, 243 Monnot v. Ibert, S3 Barb. 24 42, 48, 179 Montague V. Wanamaker, 67 Misc. 650, 124 N. Y. Supp. 805 247, 248 Montgomery v. Iiee, 10 St. Rep. 119 155 Moore v. Bloomingdale, 126 N.' Y. Supp. 125 247 Moore v. Prentiss Tool and Supply Co., 133 N. Y. 148 3, 126, 128, 173 Moore v. Simonds, 100 U. S. 145 194 Moran v. Abbott, 26 App. Div. 570, 50 N. Y. Supp. 337 234 Morgan c. Shinn, 15 Wall. (U. S.) 105 10, 197, 198 Moses V. Walker, 2 Hilt. 536 77, 149, 151 Moss V. Lightfine, 60 Misc. 62j 111 N. Y. Supp. 675 167 Mott V. Ruckman, 3 Blatehf. 71, Fed. Gas. No. 9,881 195 Moyer v. Bloomingdale, 38 App. Div. 227, 56 N. Y. Supp. 991 27 Munson, Matter of, 70 Misc. 461, 128 N. Y. Supp. 1106 62, 79, 80, 89 Murdock v. Gifford, 18 N. Y. 28 36 Murphy v. Moore, 23 Hun 95 120 Murray v. Burtis, 15 Wend. 212 107 Murray v. Lese, 86 N. Y. Supp. 581 234 Murtha v. Curley, 15 J. & S. 393 124 N Nash V. Ely, 19 Wend. 523 63, 107 National Bank of Deposit v. Rogers, 166 N. Y. 380 27, 28, 30 National Cash Register Co. v. Coleman, 85 Hun 125, 32 N. Y. Supp. 593 .164, 213, 241, 242 National Cash Reg. Co. v. Ferguson, 25 Misc. 363, 55 N. Y. Supp. 592 243 National Cash Register Co. v. Schmidt, 48 App. Div. 472, 62 N. Y. Supp. 952 240 National Cash Register Co. v. South Bay, etc., Assoc, 64 Misc. 125, 118 N. Y. Supp. 1044 239 National Nassau Bank v. Cleary, 171 App. Div. 540, 157 N. Y. Supp. 696. . . 17 Neidig V. Eifler, 18 Abb. Pr. 353 61 Nelson v. Drake^ 14 Hun 465 45 Ifelson V. Gibson, 143 App. Div. 894, 129 N. Y. Supp. 702 212, 213, 216, 218, 237, 242 Table of Cases CiTfiD. xli [References are to pages.] Nelson v. Neil, 15 Hun 383 72 Nestell V. Hewitt, 19 Abb. N. C. 282 22, 32, 33, 39 Newell V. Warner, 44 Barb. 258 94, 96 Newell V. Warren, 44 N. Y. 244 94 Newman V. Peyser, 80 Misc. 404, 141 N. Y. Supp. 422 115 Newsam v. Finch, 25 Barb. 175 130, 136 New York Economical Printing Co., In re, 110 Fed. 514 : . .44, 94, 98, 208 New York Security & Trust C!o. v. Saratoga Gas & Light Co., 88 Hun 569, 34 N. Y. Supp. 890 43, 62 Niagara County Bank v. Lord, 33 Hun 557 60, 77 Niagara Falls, etc., Co. v. Schermerhorn, 132 App. Div. 442, 117 N. Y. Supp. 10 61 Niccloy V. Treasure, 115 N. Y. Supp. 1030 4, 83, 180 Nichols V. Coleman, 96 App. Div. 154, 89 N. Y. Supp. 481 241 Nichols V. Lyon, 14 St. Rep. 549 21 Nichols V. MasBj 94 N. Y. 160 : 53, 142 Nichols V. Mase, 25 Hun 640 53 Nichols V. Mead, 2 Lans. 222 164 Nichols V. Potts, 35 Misc. 273, 71 N. Y. Supp. 765 228, 230, 231 Niles V. Mathusa, 162 N. Y. 546 25, 26, 61 Nitchie v. Townsend, 2 Sandf. 299 94 Northwestern Ins. Co. v. Ferward, 36 N. Y. 139 191 Norton v. Abbott, 113 N. Y. Supp. 669 239 Norton v. Shields, 174 App. Uiv. 804, 161 N. Y. Supp. 880 126, 127, 153 Noyes v. Wyckoff, 30 Hun 466 2, 18a Nybor v. Doll & Sons, Inc., 167 App. Div. 225, 228, 152 N. Y. Supp. 650..246, 247 o Ohl & Co. V. Standard Steel Sections, 179 App. Div. 637, 167 N. Y. Supp. 184 212, 241 Olcott V. Tioga R. Co., 27 N. Y. 546 154, 155 Olcott V. Tioga R. Co., 40 Barb. 179 3, 129, 144, 161, 183 Oppenheimer v. Moore, 107 App. Div. 301, 95 N. Y. Supp. 138 142, 161 Orcutt V. Riekenbrodt, 42 App. Div. 238, 59 N. Y. Supp. 1008 242 O'Rourke v. Hadcdck, 114 N. Y. 541 155, 215, 235 Osborn v. Alexander, 40 Hun 323 96, 97, 105 .Ostrander v. Fay, 3 Abb. Dec. 431 116 Ostrander v. Bricka, 91 Misc. 255, 154 N. Y. Supp. 786 245 Ostrander v. Webber, 114 N. Y. 95 1 jl, 156, 161 Otis V. Sill, 8 Barb. 102 28, 30, 34, 35, 52, 63, 103, 107 Otis Elevator Co. v. Rochester Friendly Home, 103 Misc. 76, 169 N. Y. Supp. 389 219, 220, 222 Owen V. Evans, 134 N. Y. 514 177 Page V. Larrowe, 22 N. Y. Supp. 1099, 51 St. Rep. 35 31, 33 Pancoast V. American Heating & Power Co., 66 How. Pr. 49 77 Parish v. Wheeler, 22 N. Y. 494 46, 140, 151, 153 Parker v. Wagoner, 166 N. Y. Supp. 625 78 Parker Mills v. Jacob, 8 Bosw. 161 jgg Parmenter v. Fitzpatrick, 14 N. Y. Supp. 748, 38 St. Rep. 367 ". 10 xlii ,Tabi^ of Cases Citei>. [References are to pages.] Marshall v. Eggart, 54 N. Y. 18 2, 17, 78, 79, 80 Parshall v. Eggart, 52 Barb. 367 6, 67 Patchin v. Pierce, 12 Wend. 61 4, 10, 49-, 131, 139, 141, 151 Patterson v. Gilies, 64 Barb. 563 92a, 95 Pearlman, Matter of 68, 92b, 94 P«kin Plow Co., In re, 7 Am. B. E. 369, 112 Fed. 308 208 1 People V. Durante, 19 App. Div. 292, 45 N. Y. Supp. 1073 26, 128 ' People V. Gluck, 188 N. Y. 167 216 People V. Remington & Sons, 58 Hun 282, 12 N. Y. Supp. 824 2, 4, 5, 16, 17, 18, 130 People V. Seudder, 177 App. Div. 235, 163 N. Y. Supp. 739 2, 16, 19 People V. Staton, 79 App. Div. 634, 80 N. Y. Supp. 2 128 ■ People ea> rel. Stevens v. Hoyt, 66 N. Y. 606 70, 76 Perkins v. Batterson, 66 Hun 583, 21 N. Y. Supp. 815 28, 29, 30, 35 Peter Barret Mfg. Co. v. Van Eonk, 149 App. Div. 194, 134 N. Y. Supp. 691.. 171 Pettit V. King, Seld. Notes 208 129 Petze V. Waters &, Co., 166 N. Y. Supp. 1000 245, 246, 247 Peuser v. Marsh, 218 N. i. 505 234 PfeifFer v. Eoe, 108 App. Div. 54, 95 N. Y. Supp. 1014 113, 124, 125 Pflugheber v. Universal Motor Truck Co., 155 N. Y. Supp. 292 247 Pfluke V. Popuhas, 42 Misc. 15, 85 N. Y. Supp. 541 109 Pheniix Mills v. MiUer, 4 St. Eep. 787, 25 Week. Dig. 290 181, 185 Phenix Nat. Bank v. Cleveland Co., 11 N. Y. Supp. 873, 34 St. Eep. 498. . . 4, 137, 141, 153, 168 Phillips V. Ledley, 1 Wash. C. C. 226, Fed. Cas. No. 11,096 189, 197, 198 OPioone v. Freeman, 115 N. Y. Supp. 128. 212, 213 Pinsky v. Goldsmith, 95 Misc. 640, 159 N. Y. Supp. 848 241 Piser V. Steams, 1 Hilt. 86 213, 218 Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. v. Edwards, 17 Am. B. E. 447, 148 Fed. 377 204, 205 Piatt V. New York & Sea Beach E. Co., 9 App. Div. 87, 41 N. Y. Supp. 42 29, 46, 62 Plumiera v. Bricka, 79 Misc. 468, 140 N. Y, Supp. 171 247 Pochell V. Eead, 20 App. Div. 208 123 Porter v. Parmley, 43 How. Pr. 445, 13 Abb. Pr., N. S., 104 3, 4, 5i 126, 127, 141, 154, 156, 183 Porter v. Parmley, 52 N. Y. 185 4, 85, 93, 103, 104, 130, 164 Potter V. Traders' Nat. Bank, 70 Hun 53, 23 N. Y. Supp. 1079 85 Potter Printing Press Co. v. Schreiner, 47 App. Div. 530, 62 N. Y. Supp. 492 214 Potts V. Hart, 9» N. Y. 168 108, 109, 110, 125 Powers V. Burdick, 126 App. Div. 179, 110 N. Y. Supp. 883 13, 216, 244 Powers V. Elias, 21 J. 4 S. 480 4, 164 Powers V. Freeman, 2 Lans. 127 17, 40, 70, 71, 85, 101 Pratt V. Stiles, 17 How. Pr. 211, 9 Abb. Pr. 150 130, 131, 132, 156 Prentiss Tool & Supply Co. v. Schirmer, 17 N. Y. Supp. 662, 45 St. Eep. 20 10 Preston v. Southwick, 115 N. Y. 139 9, 60, 74 Pugh V. Kraft, 126 N. Y. Supp. 162 130 Pulver V. Richardson, 3 T. & C. 436 137, 144, 146, 161 Table of Cases Cited. xliii. [References are to pages.] Q Quattrone v. Simon, 85 Mise. 357, 147 N. Y. Supp. 448 241, 24& Quinn, etc.j Brewing Co. v. Hart, 48 Hun 393, 1 N. Y. Supp. 388 118 Quirk V. Rodman, 5 Duer 285 14, 16 R RandaU v. Carman, 89 Hun 84, 3S N. Y, Supp. 53 110, 113 Randall v. Cook, 17 Wend. 53 166 Randall v. Dunbar, 14 Week. Dig. 332 93, 98, 130, 153 Ratchford v. Cayuga, etc.. Warehouse Co., 217 N. Y. 565 242 Redman v. Hendricks, 1 Sandf. 32 141, 145, 165 Reedy Elevator Co. v. Berman, 107 N. Y. Supp. 59 239 Repelow v. Walsh, 98 App. Div. 320, 90 N. Y. Supp. 651 138, 139 Reuscher v. Klein, 3 J. & S. 446 141 Reynolds v. Ellis, 103 N. Y. 115 22, 111, 125 Reynolds v. Ellis, 34 Htm 47 22, 35, 78 Reynolds v. Webb, 166 N. Y. Supp. 668 67, 78, 88 Rich V. Milk, 20 Barb. 616 140 Eickeraon v. Raeder, 4 Abb. Dec. 60, 1 Keyes 492 184 Ricketts v. Wilson, 26 Week. Dig. 193, 6 St. Rep. 508 la Riley v. Sexton, 32 Hun 245 51 Rindone v. Hamlin, 161 N. Y. Supp. 858 246 Ring V. Franklin, 2 Hall 1 197, 198 Ripley v. Larmouth, 56 Barb. 21 49 Roach 17. Curtis, 191 N. Y. 387 246 Roach V. Curtis, 115 App. Div. 765, 101 N. Y. Supp. 333 212, SIS, 215, 233 Robertson v. Ongley Electric Co., 146 N. Y. 20 138 Robertson v. United Ins. Co., 2 Johns. Cas. 250 191 Robinson v. Cropsey, 6 Paige 480 14, 15 Robinson v. Hawley, 45 App. Div. 287, 61 N. Y. Supp. 138 120^ 124, 167 Robinson i;. Kaplan, 21 Mise. 686, 47 N. Y. Supp. 10S3 98 Robinson v. Wilcox, 2 Leg. Obs. 160 137, 157 Robson V. Dailey, 130 N. Y. Supp. 1036 62, 115 Rochester Distilling Co. V. Rasey, 142 N. Y. 570 2, 30, 35 Rochester Distilling Co. v. Rasey, 65 Hun 512, 20 N. Y. Supp. 583... 32, 33 Rode & Horn v. Phipps, 27 Am. B. R. 827 200, 201 Rodney Hunt Machine Co. v. Stewart, 57 Hun 545^ 11 N. Y. Supp. 448. . 228, 229, 237 Rogers v. Dwight, 71 Hun 547, 25 N. Y. Supp. 39 77 Rogers v. Traders' Ins. Co., 6 Paige 583 2, 5, 129, 179', 180, 183 Ross V. Titterton, 6 Hun 280 '. 158 sliy Table of Cases Cited. [References are to pages.] Eoy V. Birdseye, 5 Denio 619 60 Eudd V. Robinson, 54 Hun 339, 7 N. Y. Supp. 536 67, 87, 103 Rudmein v. Bershadsky, 121 N. Y. Supp. 595 120, 141 Russell V. Butterfield, 21 Wend. 3.00 130, 138 Russell V. St. Mart, 180 N. Y. 355 72, 78, 81, 86, 89, 99 Russell V. Winne, 37 N. Y. 591 51, 108, 109, 123 Rust V. Hauselt, 14. J. & S. 22 • • ■ ■ • 78 Rust V. Moore, 2 Hill 655 •'■' 107 Rutland County Nat. Bank v. Graves, 19 Am. B. E. 446, 156 Fed. ■ 168 204, 205,206 Ryan v. Wollowitz, 25 Misc. 498, 54 N. Y. Supp. 988 218, 228 Saitoh V. Kelly, 154 App. Wv. 864, 139 N. Y. Supp. 534 247 Salisbury v. Philips, 10 Johns. 57 148 Salmon v. Norris, 82 App. Div. 362, 81 N. Y. Supp. 892. . . .97, 98, 101, 161, 162 Sanborn, In re. 3 Ajn. B. R. 54, 96 Fed. 507 209 Sanger v. Eastwood, 19 Wend. 514 82 Saratoga Holding Co. v. Washburn, 70 Misc. 110, 127 N. Y. Supp. 1016. .4, 163 Savall V. Wauful, 21 Civ. Pro. R. 18, 16 N. Y. Supp. 219 213, 214, 216, 234 Sayles v. Nat. Water, etc., Co., 16 N. Y. Supp. 555 219 Schanck v. Hooper, 160 N. Y. Supp. 627 176 Scherl v. Flam, 129 App. Div. 561, 114 N. Y. Supp. 86 212, 217, 222, 231 Scherzer v. Muirhead, 84 N. Y. Supp. 159 156 Schmidt, In re, 181 Fed. 73 67, 79, 88 Schmidt v. Weeks, 142 App. Div. 83, 127 N. Y. Supp. 39 4 Schoenrock v. Farley, 17 J. & S. 302 16 Sch!uchardt v. The Angelique, Fed. Cas. No. 12,483-b 196 Schuchardt v. The Angelique, Fed. Cas. No. 12,483-c 195 Schuyler's Steam Tow Boat Co., Matter of, 64 Hun 384, 18 N Y.Supp. 89.. 130 Schwab Mfg. Co. v. Aizenman, 106 App. Div. 478, 9'4 N. Y. Supp. 729 98, 99, 173, 174, 176 Schwarzchild & S. Co. v. Mathews, 39 App. Div. 477, 57 N. Y. Supp. 338..41, 88 Scotia, The, 35 Fed. 907 196 Scott V. 1,000 Island Boat and Engine Co., 134 N. Y. Supp. 150 95, 96, 103 Scott V. Delahunt, 65 N. Y. 128 169 Seeley v. Prentis Tool & Supply Co., 158 App. r>iv. 853, 144 N. Y.Supp. 48.. 247 Seger & Gross Co. v. Maclaire, 165 N. Y. Supp. 423 222, 224, 229 Shaferman v. Loman, 32 Misc. 726, 66 N. Y. Supp. 380 214 Shaw V. Cooke, 111 App. Div. 202, 97 N. Y. 235 181 Sheldon v. McFee, 216 N. Y. 618 8, 60, 149 Sheldon v. Wickham, 161 N. Y. 500 77, 86, 87, 103 Sheldon v. Wickham, 27 App. Div. 628, 50 N. Y. Supp. 314 78 Shelton v. Holzwasser, 46 Misc. 76, 91 N. Y. Supp. 328 141, 162 Table of Cases Citedi. xlv [References are to pages.] Sheppard v. Earles, 13 Hun 651 156 Sherman v. Foster, 158 N. Y. 587 168, 180 Sherman v. Slayback, 58 Hun 255, 12 N. Y. Supp. 291 131, 141, 144, 153, 154, 155, 161 Shiebler, In re, 165 Fed. 363 66 Shuart v. Taylor, 7 How. Pr. 251 32, 140 Shuler v. Boutwell, 18 Hun 171 74, 180 Shutter v. Ward, 16 Ward. Dig. 69 99 Siedenbach v. Riley, 111 N. Y. 560 63, 64 fiiegel V. Rieser, 97 Misc. 684, 162 N. Y. Supp. 391 235, 24S Sigal V. Hatch Co., 61 Misc. 332, 113 N. Y. Supp. 818 246 Simmons v. Osgoodby, 16 Week. Dig. 429 103 Simpson Crawford Co. v. Knight, 130 N. Y. Supp. 236 241 Sims V. Hodge, 3 N. Y. Supp. 228, 21 St. Rep. 955 114 Sinclair v. Wood, 13 Week. Dig. 323 180 Singer Mfg. Co. v. Becket, 85 N. Y. Supp. 391 172 Singer Sewing Machine Co. v. Leipzig, 113 N. Y. Supp. 916 241 Sisson V. Hibbard, 75 N. Y. 542 36 Skilton t>. Codington, 185 N. Y. 80 29, 79, 80, 87, 103, 108, 111, 112, 114, 115, 208, 232 Skilton V. Codington, 86 App. Div. 166, 83 N. Y. Supp. 351 77, 123 Slee V. Manhattan Co., 1 Paige 48 26, 133 Sloan V. National Surety Co., 74 App. Div. 417, 77 N. Y. Supp. 428 93, 104 Sloan V. National Surety Co., Ill App. Div. 94, 97 N. Y. Supp. 561 93, 105 Smedback v. Wolffe, 21 Misc. 82, 46 N. Y. Supp. 968 ; 239 Smith V. Acker, 23 Wend. 653 66, 68, 107 Smith V. Beattie, 31 N. Y. 542 '. 8, 10 Smith V. Clarendon, 6 N. Y. Supp. 809 78, 79 Smith V. Cooper, 22 Hun 11 97, 105 Smith V. Cooper, 27 Hun 565 115 Smith V. Post, 1 Hun 516, 3 T. & C. 647 120, 123, 142, 143 Smith i: Smalley, 19 App. Div. 519, 46 N. Y. Supp. 277 148, 149, 150, 151 Smith V. Taber, 46 Hun 313 22 Soudans Mfg. Co., In re, 8 Am. B. R. 45, 113 Fed. 804 207, 208 Southard v. Benner, 72 N. Y. 424 108, lOfl, 110, 115, 125 Southard v. Pinckney, 5 Abb. N. C. 184 109', 115, 124, 125 Southworth v. Isham, 3 Sandf . 448 29, 190 Spaulding v. Keyes, 125 N. Y. 113 112, 114, 121 Spaus V. Stolweln, 134 N. Y. Supp. 603 234 Sperry v. Baldwin, 46 Hun 120 114, 115, 118 Spies V. Boyd, 1 E. D. Smith 445 119, 123 Spitaleri v. Brown, 163 App. Div. 644, 148 N. Y. Supp. 1005 246 Spraights v. Hawley, 39 N. Y. 441 150 Spurr V. Hall, 46 App. Div. 454, 61 N. Y. Supp. 854 109, 111, 112 Stage V. Van licuvan, 77 App. Div. 646, 78 N. Y. Supp. 960 130, 143 Stalker v. The Henry Kneeland, Fed. Cas. Np. 13,282 198 xlvi Table of Cases Cited. [References are to pages.] Stanley v. Nat. Union Bank, 115 N. Y. 123 103, 121 Stanwix v. Leonard, 125 App. Div. Z99, 109 N. Y. Supp. 804 176, 179 State Bank of Williamson v. Fish, 120 N. Y. Supp. 365 45, 62 State Trust Co. v. Casino Co., 5 App. Div. 381, 39 N. Y. Supp. 258 37, 63, 98, gg', 172 State Trust Co. v. Casino Co., 19 App. IWv. 344, 46 N. Y. Supp. 492.. .37, 61, 6» Stearns v. Oberle, 47 Misc. 349, 94 IST. Y. Supp. 37 3, 56, 135 Stedman v. Batchelor, 8 N. Y. Supp. 37, 28 St. Rep. 436 115, 117 Steele ». Benham, 84 N. Y. 634 64 Steffin V. SteiEn, 4 Civ. Pro. R. 179' 22, 23, 79 Steiner v. National Cash Register Co., 155 N. Y. Supp. 447 245 Stephens v. Meriden Britannia Co., 160 N. Y. 178 77, 79, 86, 87, 89 Stephens v. Perrine, 143 N. Y. 476 • 78, 86, 87, 88, 89 Sterling v. Rogers, 25 Wend. 658 146 Stevens v. Buffalo & N. Y. City R. R. Co., 31 Barb. 590 37, 81, 85 Stevens v. Watson, 4 Abb. Dee. 302 28, 35 Steward v. Cole, 43 Hun 164 9-7, 102 Stewart v. Beale, 7 Hun 405 4, 62, 79, 164, 167, 168 Stewart v. Fidelity Loan Assoc, 19 Misc. 49, 42 N. Y. Supp. 705. . .27, 29, 30 Stewart v. Piatt, 101 U. S. 731 70, 71, 72, 77, 87 Stewart v. Slater, 6 Duer 83 107, 119 Stech V. Pirkl, 100 Misc. 594, 166 N. Y. Supp. 440 67, 86, 87 Stockham v. Allard, 2 Hun 67, 4 T. & C. 279 95 Stoddard v. Denison, 7 Abb. Pr., N. S., 309, 38 How. Pr. 296 3, 4, 129, 131, 132, 144, 153, 154 Streeter v. Ward, 12 St. Rep. 333 2, 21 Sturtevant v. Ballard, 9 Johns. 337 119 Sullivan V. Miller, 106 N. Y. 6S5 79 Sullivan v. Toole, 26 Hun 203 36 Susman v. Whyard, 149 N. Y. 127 10, 14 Sweet V. Lawrence, 35 Barb. 337 72 Swift V. Hart, 12 Barb. 530 lOU, 136 Talman v. Hawxhurst, 4 Duer 221 82 Talman v. Smith, 39 Barb. 390 4, 5, 131, 141, 153 Tannenbaum v. Schaffer, 122 N. Y. Supp. 180 158 Tarbel v. Bradley, 7 Abb. N. C. 273 61 Taylor v. Esselstyn, 62 Misc. 633, 115 N. Y. Supp. 1105 240 Tedesco v. Oppenheimer, 15 Misc. 522, 37 N. Y. Supp. 1073 16, 63, 64 Terry v. Marshall, 16 Week. Dig. 87 180 Terwilliger v. Ontario, Carbondale, etc., R. Co., 149 N. Y. 86 17, 40, 106 Theriot v. Prince, 1 Edm. Sel. Cas. 219 96 Table of Cases Cited. xlvii [References are to pages.] Third Nat. Bank V. Shields, 55 Hun 274, 8 N. Y. Supp. 9S&. .144, 145, 146, 169 Thomas v. Benton, 34 Hun 88 22, 65 Thomas Fletcher, The, 24 Fed. 375 196 Thompson V. Blanchard, 4 N. Y. 303 9, 81, 107 Thompson v. Fuller, 8 N. Y. Supp. 62 89, 115 Thompson v. Van Vechten, 27 N. Y. 568. . . . .47, 55, 78, 79, 83, 85, 98, 99, 178 Thompson v. Van Vechten, 5 Abb. Pr. 458 194 Thorn v. Hicks, 7 Cow. 697 197 Thourot V. Delahaye Import Co., 69 Misc. 351, 125 N. Y. Supp. 827 172 Thurber v. The Fannie, 8 Ben. 429, Fed. Cas. No. 14,014 195 Thurber v. Minturn, 18 Week. Dig. 25 50 Tiffany v. Warren, 37 Barb. 571, 24 How. Pr. 293 82, 84 TiiTt V. Barton, 4 Den. 171 151 Tifft V. Horton, 53 N. Y. 377 37, 219 Tilden V. Tilden, 26 Misc. 672, 67 N. Y. Supp. 864 35, 37, 62 Tindal, In re, 18 Am. B. R. 773, 155 Fed. 456 204 Titusville Iron Co. v. City of New York, 207 N. Y. 203 28, 35, 87, 208 Tobenkin v. Piermont, 116 N. Y. Supp. 718 228 Tompkins v. Fonda Glove Lining Co., 188 N. Y. 261 216, 228, 238 Tooker v. Seigel-Cooper Co., 194 N. Y. 442 66, 67, 68 Tooker v. Siegel-Cooper Co., 55 Misc. 68, 106 N. Y. Supp. 277 79 Topping V. Lynch, 2 Rob. 484 64 Tremaine v. Mortimer, 128 N. Y. 1 78, 88, 90, 103, 104, 127, 130 Tucker v. Werner, 2 Misc. 193, 21 N. Y. Supp. 264 169 Tunis V. Hodge, 50 Hun 410, 3 N. Y. Supp. 228 107 Tweedie v. Clark, 114 App. Div. 29«, 99 N. Y. Supp. 856. .12, 27, 214, 216, 244 Tyler v. Strang, 21 Barb. 198 10, 26, 60, 81 Tyler v. Taylor, 8 Barb. 585 42, 176 u Underbill V. Beinor, 2 Hilt. 319 >..,, 149, 150 Van Doren v. Baity, 11 Hun 239 42 Van Hassel 17. Borden, 1 Hilt. 128 141 Van Heusen v. Radcliflf, 17 N. Y. 580 50, 83, 84, 86 Van Houten, Matter of, 18 App. Div. 301, 46 N. Y. Supp. 190 98 Van Leevan v. Fish, 28 Misc. 443, 59 N. Y. Supp. 183 228 Van Loon V. Willis, 13 Daly 281 137, 139 Van Slyck v. Newton, 10 Hun 554 27 19 xlviii Table of Cases Cited. [References are to pages.] Van Vechten v. McKone, 69 Hun 510, 23 N. Y. Supp. 428 31, 50 Vinclnguerra v. Fagan, 57 Misc. 224, 100 N. Y. Supp. 317 223, 229 Volokers v. Sturke, 18 Misc. 457, 42 N. Y. Supp. 87 80 Voorhees v. McGinnis, 48 N. Y. 282 37, 219 Vreeland v. Piatt, 17 N. Y. Supp. 307, 42 St. Rep. 582. .59, 66, 67, 68, 115, 117 w Wade, In re, 26 Am. B. R. 434 200 Wagoner v. Jones, 7 Daly 375 85, 109 Wait V. Green, 36 N. Y. 556 218 Walker v. Henry, 85 N. Y. 130 105, 181 Walker «. Snediker, HofF. Ch. 145 48,49,122 Wallace v. Leoni, 104 N. Y. Supp. 392 50 Ward V. Ward, 145 Fed. 1023 77 Warner v. Zeuchel, 19 App. Div. 494^ 46 N. Y. Supp. 569 237, 247 Washington Trust Co. v. Morse Iron Works &, Dry Dock Co., 106 App. Div. 195, 94 N. Y. Supp. 495 213, 220, 231 Washington Trust Co. v. Morse Iron Works, 187 N. Y. 307 219 Watson V. Campbell, 38 N. Y. 153 53 Watson V. Dealy, 28 Misc. 544, 59 N. Y. Supp. 623 65, 86 Watts-Woodward Press, In re, 181 Fed. 71 94 W. B. Cole, The, 59 Fed. 182 195 Weber v. Sampson, 6 Duer 358 197, 198 Weed V. Covill, 14 Barb. 242 148 Weil V. Pevy, 80 Hun 382, 30 N. Y. Supp. 127 * . 177 Weiss V. Leichter, 113 N. Y. Supp. 999 212, 217 Wellington v. Morey, 12 Week. Dig. 476 8, 148 Westcott V. Gunn, 4 Duer 107 48, 77, 180 Westchester Trust Co. v. Hobby Bottling Co., 102 App. Div. 464, 92 N. Y. Supp. 482 37, 63 Westinghouse Elec. & Mfg. Co. v. New Paltz, etc.. Traction Co., 32 Misc. 132, 65 N. Y. Supp. 644 .^ 228 Weston V. Wright, 1 Rob. 312 197, 198 West Publishing Co. v. Gluck, 92 Misc. 198, 155 N. Y. Supp. 514 246 Wheeler v. Eastwood, 88 Hun 160, 34 N. Y. Supp. 513 9 Wheeler v. Newbound, 16 N. Y. 392 19 Wheeler & Wilson Mfg. Co. «. Jacobs, 2 Misc. 236, 21 N. Y. Supp. 1006. . . 235 White V. Gray's Sons, 96 App. Piv. 154, 89 N. Y. Supp. 481 241, 242 White's Bank v. Smith, 7 Wall (U. S.) 646 194 Whitman v. Conner, 8 J. & S. 339 54 Wild V. Porter, 59 App. Div. 350, 69 N. Y. Supp. 839 64, 88 Wilder v. Stewart, 21 Week. Dig. 93 167 Wiles V. Clapp, 41 Barb. 645 97, 99, 100 Table op Cases Cited. xlix [References are to pages.] Willoox 17. Perez, 115 App. Div. 693, 101 N. Y. Supp. 391 161, 162 Williaton v. Jones, 6 Buer 504 110, 115, 117 WilBQn V. Little, 2 N. Y. 443 16, 17, 19 Wintermute v. Light, 46 Barb. 278 32 Wise V. Ryder, 34 N. Y. Supp. 782, 68 St. Rep. 716 109, 115, 117 Wismer v. Oeumpaugh, 71 N. Y. 113 22, 28 Wisser v. O'Brien, 3 J. & S. 149 94 Witherbee v. Taft, 51 App. Div. 87, 64 N. Y. Supp. 347 72, 79, 82, 195 W. J. Floyd & Co., In re, 19 Am. B. R. 438, 156 Fed. 206 206 Wolflf V. Eausch, 22 Misc. 108, 48 N. Y. Supp. 716 99, 149 Wood V. Lester, 29 Barb. 145 30, 35 Wood V. Lowry, 17 Wend. 492 107, 109 Woodbridge v. Nelson, 6 Week. Dig. 248 4, 151 Woodbum v. Chamberlin, 17 Barb. 446 84 Woodman v. Needham Piano & Organ Co., 47 Misc. 683, 94 N. Y. Supp. 371 247 Wood-worth v. Hodgson, 56 Hun 236, 9 N. Y. Supp. 750 8 Wooster v. Sherwood, 25 N. Y. 278 82 Wray v. Federke, 11 J. & S. 335 69, 99, 100, 148 Wright, In re, 2 Am. B. R. 364, 96 Fed. 187 20O Wuertz V. Braun, 122 App. Div. 433, 107 N. Y. Supp. 429 158 W. W. Mills Co., In re, 20 Am. B. R. 501, 162 Fed. 42 205 Yates V Olmstead, 56 N. Y. 632 28, 29 Yates «. Olmstead, 65 Barb. 43 115 Yenni v. McNamee, 45 N. Y. 614 ft Zartman v. First Nat. Bank, 189 N. Y. 267 10«, 115, 125 Zeiter v. Bowman, 6 Barb. 133 176, 177, 178 Zimmer v. Hays, 8 App. Div. 34, 40 N. Y. Supp. 397 117 Zimmer v. Wheeler, 2 St. Rep. 325 77, 82, 84 Zoeller v. Riley, 100 N. Y. 103 120 PART I CHATTEL MORTGAGES CHAPTER I. NATURE OF CONTEACT. V Sec. 1. Derivafion of Term "Mortgage." 2. Definitions. 3. Different from Real Estate Mortgage. 4. Incidental to Debt. 5. Title of Parties. a. Eafore Default. b. After Default. Sec. 1. Derivation of Term " Mortgage." The term " mortgage " is derived from two Frenck words ; morS meaning dead, and gage meaning pledging.^ The term mortuum vadium was also used in early times to designate the transaction now commonly called a mortgage. These terms were used for two reasons. First: To distinguish the transaction from the vivum vadiAim, or living pledge; where a debtor, who borrowed money, transferred an estate to his creditor, to be held by the latter until he had repaid himself out of the issues and profits of the estate. In such a case, the estate was never lost or dead to the debtor.^ The second reason is thus stated by Littleton : — " It seemeth that the reason why it is called mortgage is, that it is doubtful whether the feoffor will pay, at the day limited, such sum or not ; and if he doth not pay, then the land, which is put in pledge upon condition, for ■the payment of the money, is taken from him forever, and so dead to him upon condition." ' 1. Breese v. Bange, 8 E. D. Smith 2. Coke Littleton, 205-a. 474y 486. , , ; , 3. Littleton, § 332, lib. 3, chap. 5. 2 Chattel MoETaAGES. Sec. 2. Definitions. A chattel mortgage is an instrument by which the title to per- sonal chattels is transferred to a mortgagee as security for the pay- ment of a debt, or for the performance of an obligation, with a condition that upon payment or performance, the title shall revest in the mortgagor; but if the debt is not paid, or the obligation is not performed, the title becomes absolute in law in the mortgagee,, though redeemable in equity.* Sec. 3. Different from Real Estate Mortgage. There is a manifest difference between a mortgage of real and a mortgage of personal property. The former is merely a security for the debt; the mortgagee has only a chattel interest, and the freehold remains in the mortgagor. A chattel mortgage, however,, is more than a mere lien or security. By the latter the legal title to the property is transferred, subject to be defeated by the pay- ment of the mortgage debt." Sec. 4. Incidental to Debt. A chattel mortgage is but an accessory or incident to the debt. The debt and the mortgage cannot be separated. The mortgage 4. Streeter v. Ward, 12 St. Rep. 333. A personal mortgage is more than See also Wait's Law and Practice a mere security. It is a sale of the (7th ed.), vol. 1, p. 60. thing mortgaged and operates as a Other Definitions. — "A chattel transfer of the whole legal title to mortgage is a present transfer of the the mortgagee, subject only to be de- title to the property mortgaged, sub- feated by the full performance of ject to be defeated on payment of the the condition. Butler v. Miller, 1 sum or' instrument it is given to N. Y. 496'. People v. Soudder, 177 secure. In default of performance App. Div. 225, 163 N. Y. Supp. 739,. by the mortgagor of the condition, afTd, 231 N. Y. 670. the title of the mortgagee becomes A mortgage is a sale of goods with absolute." Parshall v. Eggart, 54 a condition that, if the mortgagor N. Y. 18. pays, it shall be void. Lewis v. Grtu- "The idea of a chattel mortgage ham, 4 Abb. Pr. 106; Brownell v. is that of a conveyance of personal Hawkins, 4 Barb. 491. property to secure the debt of the 5. Rogers v. Traders' Ins. Co., 6 mortgagor; which, being conditional Paige 583; Butler v. Miller, 1 N. Y at the time, becomes absolute if, at a 496; People v. Remington &, Sons, 58 fixed time, the property is not re- Hun 282, 12 N. Y. Supp. 824, affd, deenved." Rochester Distilling Co. 126 N. Y. 654, wero.; Noyes o. Wyek- V. Rasey, 142 N. Y. 570. off. 30 Hun 466, aff'd,-lli N. Y. 204. Natuee of Contract. 3 cannot exist as an independent debt. If the debt is assigned and the mortgage, by special agreement, does not accompany the debt, the mortgage is ipso facto extinguished and ceases to be a sub- sisting demand.' Sec. 5. Title of Parties. a. Before Default. — Before default in the condition of the mortgage, the legal title to the mortgaged chattels is in the mort- gagee. But his title is conditional and liable to be defeated by a performance of the conditions. On such performance the title revests in the mortgagor the same as before the execution of the instrument.'' But while this is so technically and theoretically, yet practically, the substantial title remains in the mortgagor with all the incidents of a legal title. He retains the use, control and benefit of the property subject to the mortgage. When entitled to possession before default, he can exercise many powers which ordinarily accompany the legal title to property. He may main- tain an action for conversion against any wrongdoel' taking the property even against the mortgagee;* he may sell the mortgaged G. Langdon v. Buel, 9 Wend. 80. payment of the debt to secure whieh 7. Bank of Eochester V. Jones, 4 the title has been transferred, and N. Y. 497; Bleakl^ v. Sullivan, 140 thus revest himself with the title. N. y. 175; Stearns v. Oberle, 47 Misc. Olcott v. Tioga E. Co., 40 Barb. 179, 349, 94 N. Y. Supp. 37; Gore v. aff'd, 27 N. Y. 546. , Glover, 49 Misc. 473, 97 N. Y. Supp. The title of the mortgagee becomes 969 ; Matthews v. Victor Hotel Co., absolute only upon default in the per- 132 N. Y. Supp. 375; Stoddard v. formance of the condition. Miner v. Denison, 7 Abb. Pr., N. S., 309, 38 Judson, 2 Hun 441. How. Pr. 296 ; Olcott v. Tioga E. Co., Mortgage to Secure Surety. — Where 40 Barb. 179, aff'd, 27 N. Y. 546 ; one takes] title simply to secure him- Porter v. Parmley, 43 How. Pr. 445, self against loss as surety upon a 13 Abb. Pr., N. S., 104, rev'd on other bond, he has no interest that he can grounds, 52 N. Y. 185. sell until after a breach in the con- A moitgagee under a chattel mort- dition of the bond. His title is both gage takes title at once to the mort- personal and contingent, and by an gaged chattels and retains it unless assignment before the contingency his title is divested by payment. named has happened, he parts with Stearns v. Oberle, 47 Misc. 349, 94 N. his security without transferring any Y. Supp. 37. right to his assignee. Comley v. A mortgage transfers to the mort- Dazian, 114 N. Y. 161. gagee the legal title to the property, 8. Moore v. Prentiss Tool and Sup- and all that remains in the mort- ply Co., 133 N. Y. 148. See infra, gagor is the mere right of redemption the subdivision Action at Law — . — a right to defeat the sale, by the Against Mortgagee, p. 128. 'S Chattel Mohtgages. property and convey a good title subject to the mortgage;' and, in many cases, the property may be seized and sold by virtue of an execution against him.^° b. After Default. — Upon default in the payment of a diattel mortgage, by operation of lavs^, the title of the mortgagee to the mortgaged property becomes absolute, and the mortgagor has no interest therein except a right to redeem — a mere right of action — enforceable only in a court of equity/^ It is not necessary that a chattel mortgage declare that the defeasible title of the mortgagee will become absolute on the failure of the mortgagor to pay the sum when it becomes due ; this result follows as an incident 9. See infra, the subdivision Trans- fer of Property, p. 126. 10. See infra, the subdivision Levy Upon Mortgaged Chattels, p. 163. 11. West V. Orary, 47 N. Y. 433; Porter v. Parmley, 5S N. Y. 185; Judson V. Easton, 58 N. Y. 664; Bragelman v. Dane, 69 N. Y. 69; Casserly v. Witherbee, 119 N. Y. 533 ; Kimball v. Farmers & Mechanics' Nat.Bank,138N.Y. 500; Barrett Mfg. Co. V. Van Eonk, 212 N. Y. 90 ; Stew- art V. Beale, 7 Hun 405, off'd, 68 N. Y. ■529, mem. ; People v. Remington & Sons, 59 Hun 282, 12 N. Y. Supp. 824, aff'd, 126 N. Y. 654, mem.; Dar- row V. Wendelstadt, 43 App. Div. 426, 60 N. Y. Supp. 174; Cartier v. Pabst Brewing Co., 112 App. Div. 419, 98 N. Y. Supp. 516; Schmidt v. Weeks, 142 App. Div. 83, 127 N. Y. Supp. 39; Kraus v. Black, 56 Misc. 641, 107 K. Y. Supp. 609; Saratoga Holding Co. v. Washburn, 70 Misc. 110, 127 N. Y. Supp. 1016; Phenix Nat. Bank v. Cleveland Co., 11 N. Y. Supp. 873, 34 St. Rep. 498; Fidelity Loan Assoc, v. Connolly, 92 N. Y. Supp. 252; Niccloy v. Treasure, 115 N. Y. Supp. 1030; Farmers' Bank of Washington County v. Cowan, 2 Abb. Dec. 88, 2 Keyes 217; Stoddard v. Denison, 7 Abb. Pr., N. S., 309, 38 How. Pr. 296; Dane v. Mallory, 16 Barb. 46; Talman V. Smith, 39 Barb. 390; Ackley v. Finch, 7 Cow. 290; Burdick v. McVanner, 2 Denio 170; Porter v. Parmley, 43 How. Pr. 445, 13 Abb. Pp., N. S., 104 rev'd on other grounds, 52 N. Y. 185; Powers v. Elias, 21 J. & S. 480; Halstead v. Swartz, 1 T. & C. 559, 46 How. Pr. 289; Woodbridge v. Nelson, 6 Week. Dig. 248 ; Patchin v. Pierce, 12 Wend. 61. Without Possession. — Upon default, the absolute title vests at once with- out possession in the mortgagee, and all the mortgagor has left is an equity of redemption. Saratoga Holding Co. v. Washburn, 70 Misc. 110, 127 N. Y. Supp. 1016. The mortgagor retains an insurable interest in the mortgaged property, although he has disposed of the equity of redemption absolutely, so long as he is personally liable for the payment of the mortgage debt. By disposing of the property subject to the mortgage, it becomes the pri- mary fund for the payment of the mortgage debt. The loss of the prop- erty, therefore, would be a direct loss to the mortgagor, who is person- ally responsible for the payment of the debt. BuflFalo Steam Engine Works V. Sun Mutual Ins. Co., 17 N. Y. 401. Natuee of Contract. to the relation of the parties/^ The mortgagee, upon default, hecomes the general owner of the mortgaged property;" and, as far as the legal rights of the parties are concerned, he may treat the property as his own and squander, destroy, or give it away.^* The mortgagee, by selling the property, transfers to the purchaser a good legal title.^° The mortgagor, if permitted to retain posses^ sion of the property, holds merely as a bailee for the mortgagee.^* 12. Bragelman v. Dane, 69 >f. Y. 69. 13. Casserly v. Witherbee, 119 N. Y. 532. 14. People II. Bemington & Sons, 59 Hun 282, 12 N. Y. Supp. 824, af'd, 126 N. Y. 654, mem. ; Porter v. Parm- ley, 43 How. Pr. 445, 13 Abb. Pr., N. S., 104, rev'd on other grounds, 62 N. Y. 185. 15. Rogers v. Traders' Ins. Co., 6 Paige 583. Sale. — Upon the failure of a mort- gagor to perform the condition of the mortgage, the title at law becomes absolute in the mortgagee or his as- signs and he or they may sell the property at public or private sale; especially as against strangers. Dane V. Mallory, 16 Barb. 46. Prime Facie the Absolute Owner. — One purchasing the mortgaged prop- erty from the mortgagee and taking possession after the forfeiture of the condition, at a time when there is no creditor in position to object to the sale, and continuing his posses- sion, is to be deemed, prime faoie, the absolute owner. Talman v. Smith, 39 Barb. 390. 16. Fidelity Loan Assoc, v. Con- noUy, 92 N. Y. Supp. 252. Chattel Mortgages. CHAPTER II. DISTESTGUISHED FROM OTHER CONTRACTS. Sec. 1. In Gfcneral. 2. Sale. 3. Construction of Bill of Sale as Mortgage. 4. Conditional Sale. a. In Genei^al. b. Reservation of Title Until Payment. c. Sale and Conditional Resale. 5. Pledge. a. In General. b. Effect of Use of Term " Pledge." c. Delivery of Stocks, Bonds, etc., as Security. 6. Agreement to Give Mortgage. 7. General Assignment. 8. Assignment in Trust. 9. Lease Reserving Lien. Sec. 1. In General. The characteristic which distinguishes a chattel mortgage from other instrixments is the condition that, if the debt is paid at the day specified, the conveyance is void, but, if payment is not so made, the transfer becomes absolute at law.^ The instrument need 1. Parshall v. Eggart, 52 Barb. 367, livered to B.; the defendant, having rexfd on other grounds, 54 N. Y. 18; paid the note, took the horse. In an Breese v. Bange, 2 E. D. Smith 474. action by the administrator of C. to Transaction, Held Not a Mortgage, recover the horse, it was held that the — In Ceas v. Bramley, 18 Hun 187, agreement was not a mortgage as it appeared that the defendant B., be- there was no absolute sale defeasible ing a surety upon a note given by C, upon condition, and that no title to the plaintiff's intestate, to one M., the horse was thereby transferred agreed, after the maturity of the note, to the defendant, to remain liable as surety fpr one Instrument Held a Chattel Mort- year longer and C. agreed to turn gage Between Certain Parties. — In over to him a horse and, in case B. Yenni v. McNamee, 45 N. Y. 614, it had to pay the note, the horse was appeared that one S. was the owner to be his property and he was to have and in the possession of a quantity of the right to take it; the horse was petroleum; his superintendent signed! not present at the time this agree- and delivered to him the following ment was made, nor was it ever de- instrument; "Received on storage Distinguished peom Other Cowteacts. t not, in express terms, state that the mortgagee may take the goods.* Nor need the mortgagor promise to pay the debt secured, or be liable for its payment.^ Sec. 2. Sale. A mortgage is one kind of a sale; it is a sale with a condition, the condition being that title shall revest in the mortgagor upon payment being made according to the terms of the contract. It is that condition which distinguishes a chattel mortgage from an absolute bill of sale.* If a conveyance is taken as security it is a mortgage or pledge, but if taken in payment or part payment, thus extinguishing the debt, in whole or in part, it is a sale." A bill of sale, absolute on its face, but accompanied by an agreement. for account of S., 600 barrels petrole- um, crude and refined, contained in tanks, and 700 barrels to hold the same, deliverable to his order on pay- ment of the charges named therein, in accordance with the marginal note below. Storage, per month. Labor, ." No oil was set apart as covered or described by this re- ceipt. The instrument was trans- ferred by S. to B. for full value, as collateral security for a loan, the property all the while remaining at the factory. It was held that the in- striunent, as between S. and B., was in the nature of a chattel mortgage. 2. Blake v. Corbett, 130 N. Y. 327. 3. Matthews v. Sheehan, 69 N. Y. 585; Blake v. Corbett, 120 N. Y. 327. Assignment, Held a Mortgage. — Where one defendant by the name of Crowley was indebted upon certain promissory notes, and another defend- ant, by the name of Corbett, executed and delivered to the plaintiff the fol- lowing instrument: "For value re- ceived, I, Isabella Corbett, do hereby sell and assign the above mentioned books and described books to Henry A. Blake, his heirs and assigns, I to hold and retain possession of said books for eight months from this sale, and if, during that period, the sum of indebtedness to said Blake, now ow- ing to him by Richard Crowley, is paid or satisfied, for the payment of which this assignment is made as se- curity, then this conveyance shall be null and void," it was held that the instrument contained all the es- sentials of a chattel mortgage and could be foreclosed as such. Blake v. Corbett, 120 N. Y. 327. Assignment of Insurance Policy. — ■ Where the plaintiff's testator pro- cured an insurance policy upon his life and assigned the same to the defend- ant under an oral agreement that the latter was to pay the premiums and have the benefits of the policy, the testator, however, to have the privi- lege of redeeming at any time by pay- . ing the premiums advanced by the de- fendant with interest, it was held the assignment was a mortgage, to the validity of which it was not essential that the testator should have made an absolute promise to pay the ad- vances. Matthews v. Sheehan, 69 N. Y. 585. 4. Gore v. Glover, 49 Misc. 473, 97 N. Y. Supp. 969. 5. Keller v. Paine, 34 Hun 167, rev'd on other grounds, 107 N. Y. 83. 8 Chattel Moetgages. in writing or by parol, operating as a defeasance, is a mere mort- gage." A bill of sale with a separate defeasance is as clearly a mortgage as if the defeasance formed part thereof. Hence, where the owner of goods executes a bill of sale thereof and the vendee at the same time agrees to resell the property for the same sum and " deliver what remains of the property upon payment thereof," the transaction is a chattel mortgage.^ But the mere expectation on the part of the purchaser that the vendor will ultimately repur- chase the property does not change the sale into a chattel mortgage.* A bill of sale declaring that it is given to secure a debt and provid- ing that the vendee may sell the goods to satisfy the debt, the sur- plus to be returned to the vendor is a chattel mortgage.' An instrument, in the form of a bill of sale of chattels, in the j absence of evidence that there has been a bargain between the parties by which one should sell and the other buy them, where it appears that the party receiving the bill of sale has signed, but has not been obliged to pay negotiable paper for the accommoda- tion of the party giving the bill of sale, is to be treated as a chattel mortgage and must be filed in accordance with the statute in order to be valid against creditors.^" Thus, where a manufacturer pur- Transferee to Prepare Property secure the vendee as surety for the for Sale. — Where an absolute bill of vendor, and that In case the vendee sale of property is given as security shall become liable, that he may turn for a debt, its effect as a chattel the goods out on execution, or that martgage is not avoided by a stipula- they shall be at his disposal at private tion that the transferee shall com- sale, accounting to the vendor for the plete the process of manufacturing proceeds, is in the nature of a mort- the assigned property and prepare the gage. Marsh v. Lawrence, 4 Cow. same for sale. Smith v. Beattie, 31 461. N. Y. 543. Instrument Giving Vendee Power to 6. Smith V. Beattie, 31 N. Y. 542 ; Sell Property. — A bill of sale of per- Sheldon v. McFee, 216 N. Y. 618 ; sonal property, possession of which is Gore V. Glover, 49 Misc. 473, 97 N. Y. not surrendered, providing that the Supp. 969; Clark v. Henry, 2 Cow. person to whom the bill of sale is 324. given may sell the property covered 7. Dickinson v. Oliver, 96 App. Div. by it if the debt secured thereby is 65, 89 N. Y. Supp. 52; same case, 195 ^^^ j^ to him within a certain "W Y S'^S _ U. , ' r,, i «. . XN- «™ time, is, in legal effect, a chattel 8. Fisher v. Stout, 74 App. Div. 97, .' ... ^ t t ^tt , 77 N Y Supp 945 mortgage with a power of sale. Wel- 9. JBissell I,. Hopkins, 3 Cow. 166; li"gt°'i "• ^orey, 12 Week. Dig. 476, Marsh v. Lawrence, 4 Cow. 461 a.ff'd, 90 N. Y. 656, mem. A bill of sale, or assignment of 10. Woodworth v. Hodgson, 56 Hun goods, declaring that the object is to 236, 9 N. Y. Supp. 750. Distinguished feom Other Conteacts. 9 chased wool to be paid for by his note indorsed by another per- son, for the accommodation of such manufacturer, and, at the time of such indorsement, the manufacturer executed to the indorser a writing reciting that the latter had indorsed the note to be used in purchasing the wool and declaring that the wool and the cloth to be manufactured therefrom should belong to such indorser until the note was paid, it was held that the transaction was a mere mortgage.^^ Where, upon the dissolution of a partnership, one partner exe- cuted to the other a bill of sale of his interest in the partnership property and the parties signed an agreement that the latter employed the former as his agent to sell the goods, the partner acting as such agent to retain the net profits for his services and to purchase the property by payments to be made in installments, it was held that the instrument executed by the partner acting as agent was in effect a chattel mortgage.^^ Where a person, upon obtaining $200 from another, told the latter she would return it if she could, or, if not, that she would sell certain property to him for $1,000, if he could make an arrangement, it was held that whether the transaction was an absolute sale or a chattel mort- gage was a question for the jury.^^ Where an instrument recited that the first party named therein, in consideration of a specified sum paid to him, had bargained and sold to the second party cer- tain property, and that the property so transferred was in the possession of the first party, but the instrument contained no prom- ise or agreement to pay any sum of money to the second party, it was held that the instrument was a bill of sale and not a chattel mortgage." Although a bill of sale may be regarded as fraudulent if the property transferred greatly exceeds in value the amount of the consideration, such inadequacy of consideration does not affect the validity of a mortgage. ^^ 11. Thompson v. Blanchard, 4 N. Y. 14. Wheeler v. Eastwood, 88 Hun 303. 160, 34 N. Y. Supp. 513. 12. Bragelman v. Dane, 69 N. Y. 69. 15. Preston v. Southwick, 115 N. Y. 13. Goodwin v. Kelly, 42 Barb. 194. 189. 10 Chattel. M^oktgages. Sec. 3. Construction of Bill of Sale as Mortgage. A bill of sale, absolute upon its face, may be shown by parol evidence to be only a mortgage.^" No matter what the form of the instrument is, if intended merely as security, it may be shown to be a mortgage and must be so treated.^' The mortgagor need not show fraud or mistake in the transaction.^* He may have the till of sale adjudged to be a chattel mortgage, though he claims 16. Despard v. Walbridge, 15 N. Y. 374; Smith v. Beattie, 31 N. Y. 542; West V. Crary, 47 N. Y. 423; Mat- thews V. Sheehan,. 69 N. Y. 585; Coe V. Cassidy, 72 N. Y. 133; .Barry v. Colville, 129 N. Y. 302; Susman 17. Wiyard, 149 N. Y. 127; Donnelly v. McArdle, 86 App. Div. 33, 83 N. Y. Supp. 193 ; Heise v. Selected Securities Co., 105 N. Y. Supp. 1079; Parmenter ■v. Fitzpatrick, 14 N. Y. Supp. 748, 38 St. Eep. 367, rev'd on other grounds, 48 St. Eep. 80; lyier v. Strang, 21 Barb. 198; Patchin v. Pierce, 12 Wend. 61. Assignment of Contract. — Parol evidence may be given to show that an assignment of a contract absolute upon its face was intended as a mort- gage. Tyler v. Strang, 21 Barb. 198. An assignment of a lease may be shown by parol to be a mortgage; and where the assignee of a lease sues » subtenant of the original lessee for the rent, the subtenant may show that the assignment of the lease was merely as a seciu'ity for a debt and that such debt has been paid. Des- pard v. Walbridge, 15 N. Y. 374. An assignment of a policy of life insurance, absolute on its face, may be shown by parol to have been given .simply as security. Matthews v, Sheehan, 69 N. Y. 585. A conveyance of a patent may be shown to be merely as security for a, debt. Barry v. Colville, 129 N. Y. 302. A bill of sale of a vessel, absolute in its terms, may be shown by parol evidence to be only a mortgage, though the bill of sale is recorded in the manner required for a transfer of a, vessel and re-enrolled in the name of the transferee, and though an in- surance policy is taken out in his name as owner and no bond or note taken by him. Morgan v. Shinn, 15 Wall. (U. S.) 105. And see imfra, the chapter Mortgages on Vessels, p. 189. 17. Coe V. Cassidy, 72- N. Y. 133, 137. InsufScient Proof of Mortgage.—. Where a bill of sale was executed in payment of a precedent debt, the mere admission of the vendee, drawn from him by leading questions on cross-examination that the same was a " security for a debt," is not suffi- cient to fix the character of the in- strument as a mortgage. Prentiss Tool & Supply Co. V. Schirmer, 17 N. Y. Supp. 662, 45 St. Eep. 20. 18. Barry v. Colville, 129 N. Y. 302. But see Patchin v. Pierce, 12 Wend. 61. Effect of Failure to Prove Allega- tions of Fraud. — In an action to re- form a bill of sale as a chattel mort- gage, allegations in the complaint of false representations inducing the ex- ecution of the instrument may be dis- regarded as surplusage and the com- plaint will not be dismissed because the fraud is not proven. Eicketts v. Wilson, 26 Week. Dig. 193, 6 St. Eep. 508. Distinguished feom Othee Contracts, 11 he did not know at the time he signed it that it was absolute in fonn.^° Even if the mortgagor concedes that he intended to exe- cute an instrument absolute in form, if it was understood between the parties that the bill of sale was to be held only as security, the mortgagor may have such relief.^" He should, however, explain satisfactorily why the instrument was drawn in the form of an absolute sale.^^ A chattel mortgage, however, cannot operate as an absolute sale. The mortgagor's equity of redemption is zealously guarded by the courts and no agreement in a mortgage will be allowed to change it into an absolute conveyance upon any condition or event. There is no exception to the rule, " once a mortgage, and always a mortgage." ^^ Sec. 4. Conditional Sale. a. In Oeneral. — The term " conditional sale " is somewhat vague, for there are many kinds of conditional sales. A chattel mortgage is one kind. Another kind, the one commonly called a " conditional sale," arises where the. vendor of property reserves the title thereto until the payment of the purchase price. But, as sales may be conditioned upon the happening of other events, numerous classes of conditional sales may arise. Generally a chattel mort- gage is easily distinguished from the foregoing classes of condi- tional sales; but a question of serious difficulty is presented in distinguishing between a chattel mortgage and the transaction which is sometimes termed a " sale and conditional resale." In this latter transaction, the owner of property sells the same, and the purchaser agrees, upon the performance of some condition by the original vendor, to resell the same to such vendor. b. Reservation of Title Until Payment. — The purchase price of an article sold may be secured in either of two ways: first, by a conditional sale through which the title is 19. Ponnelly v. McArdle, 86 App. The reason of the rule is, because it Div. 33, 83 N. Y. Supp. 193. puts the borrower too much in the 20. Donnelly v. McArdle, 86 App. power of the lender, who, being dls- Div. 33, 83 N. Y. Supp. 193. tressed at the time, is generally too 21. Donnelly v. McArdle, 86 App. much inclined to submit to any terms. Div. 33, 83 N. Y. Supp. 193. Clark V. Henry, 3 Cow. a24. 22. Clark v. Henry, 2 Cow. 334. , 12 Chattel Moetgages. reserved in the vendor until the purchase price is paid ; second^ by a chattel mortgage given back by the purchaser. While the object to be accomplished by either form of security is substantially the same, the rights of the parties under the two forms of security are materially different.^' Upon the execution of a conditional sale of this class, the vendee has no title to the property, but, if the instrument is to be construed as a chattel mortgage, it is neces- sary that title should have passed from the mortgagor, who, by the instrument, vests the legal title in the mortgagee, subject to the usual rights of the mortgagor.^* The instrument may be a condi- tional sale though it contains a clause that the vendor, in case of default in payment by the vendee, may take and sell the prop- erty and apply the proceeds to the balance unpaid, paying the surplus, if any, to the vendee. ^^ A provision in the contract that the vendee is to have full ownership when he performs the condi- tions of the contract, and a provision that he takes possession as " tenant or bailee," are inconsistent with the idea of a transfer of actual title and generally require the instrument to be con- strued as a conditional sale/° Likewise, a provision in the agree- ment, that, when the price is paid in full, a bill of sale of the property will be given, is inconsistent with a claim that the title passed when the agreement was made.^' The use of the term " sell '' does not necessarily import an executed contract.^* Where one D. G. Skinner purchased certain property of third parties and transferred it to E. & H. G. Guliek, the parties execut- ing the following instrument : " E. and H. G. Guliek agree to pay D. G. Skinner, for the above machines and belting, time, services and expenses, the sum of $810.75, within five months, and D. G. Skinner agrees to take the above amount, as above stated, but lends to said Gulicks the property above stated ; and if they fail to pay, he is at liberty to take the property away, to enable him to realize the amount and interest. Prattsburgh, 23. Tweedie v. Clark, 114 App. Div. 25. Brewster v. Baker, 20 Barb. 364. 296, 99 N. Y. Supp. 856; Gaul v. 26. Boon «. Moss, 70 N. Y. 465. Goldburg Furniture & Carpet Co., 85 27. Fennikoh v. Gunn, 59 App. Div. Mise. 426, 147 N. Y. Supp. 516. 132, 69 N. Y. Supp. 13. 24. Tweedie v. Clark, 114 App. Div. 28. Fennikoh v. Gunn, 59 App. Div. 296, 99 N. Y. Supp. 856; Gaul v. 132, 69 N. Y. Supp. 12. Goldburg Furniture & Carpet Co., 85 Misc. 4»6, 147 N. Y. Supp. 516. Distinguished feom Othee Conteacts. 13 March 29, 1852. (Signed) E. & H. G. Gulick, D. G. Skinner; " it was held that the instrument was a conditional sale, not a chattel mortgage. ^^ Where the lessee of a hotel, who was the owner of the furniture therein, leased the hotel and furniture to another person for the remainder of his term and the sub-lessee agreed to keep the furni- ture insured and not to sell it or permit it to be moved, and the original lessee agreed to sell the furniture to such person at the expiration of the term if he fulfilled his covenants, and reserved the right to re-enter upon default and take possession of and sell the furniture, retaining from its proceeds the rent due him, and paying over the surplus to such sublessee, it was held that the trans- action was a conditional sale.^" Where the holder of an instrument treats it as a conditional sale by retaining the property for thirty days and selling the same pursuant to the provisions of the Personal Property Law (§§ 65 et seq.), he cannot afterward claim that the contract is a chattel mortgage and not a conditional sale.^"- c. Sale and Conditional Resale. — It is sometimes difficult to determine whether a transaction consitutes a mortgage or an absolute sale and a conditional resale; and whether it shall be construed to be one or the other depends upon the intention of the parties as evidenced by the instrument executed, and all the cir- cumstances of the case. In all doubtful cases a contract will be construed to be a mortgage rather than a conditional sale, because, in the case of a mortgage, the mortgagor, although he has not strictly complied with the terms of the mortgage, still has his right of redemption ; while in the case of a conditional sale, with- out strict compliance, the rights of the conditional purchaser are forfeited.^^ JSTo general rule to distinguish the transactions can 29. Grant v. Skinner, 31 Barb. 581. stitutes a mortgage or a conditional 30. Bean v. Edge, 84 N. Y. 510. sale is the intention of the parties to 31. Powers v. Burdick, 126 App. be ascertained either from the terms Div. 179, 110 N. Y. Supp. 883. of the written contract or*in proper 32. Matthews v. Sheehan, 69 N. Y. cases from that instrument considered 585. in connection with the circumstances Intention of Parties. — The only attending its making. Hughes v. Har- safe criterion by which to determine lam, 166 N. Y. 427, 431. whether a particular transaction con- 14 Chattel Mortgages. be laid down. The fact that there is no debt which can be person- ally enforced is a strong but not an absolutely controlling cir- cumstance that the transaction is not a mortgage.^' The relative value of the property and the price actually advanced or paid are to be taken into consideration to determine the intent of the parties.^* It has been held that, in the absence of evidence of the inadequacy of the consideration, and of any personal liability of the vendor to refund, in any event, the money received as the price of the transfer, the covenant will be treated as a conditional sale.^'^ Where the instruments of sale and conditional resale are merely security for a debt owing by the original vendor, the clause of resale is generally construed as a defeasance and the transaction is a chattel mortgage.^" The fact that the term " resale " is employed will not change the transaction when no other sum than the amount of the indebtedness is mentioned or contemplated as the price of such resale.^' Where the agreement is made upon an application for a loan of money, the court, for the purpose of pre- venting usury and extortion, will construe the agreement to be a mortgage.^' An agreement transferring personal property subject to the condition that if the transferor pays the amount due upon a certain promissory note the transfer shall be void, but in the event of his death before payment, it shall become unconditional and absolute, the primary object of which was to provide security for a loan made to him, is a mortgage and not a conditional sale, and upon his death before the payment of the loan, his personal representa- tive may redeem notwithstanding the provision for an absolute- transfer, as such provision is void.^® Where a debtor on promissory notes to the amount of $225 executed to his creditor an assignment of a mortgage held by the- debtor against a third party for $1,065.03, and the notes were 33. Matthews v. Sheehan, 69 N. Y. 195 N. Y. 238; Susman v. Whyard,. 585. See also Gomez v. Kampling, 4 149 N. Y. 127; Robinson v. Cropsey, Daly 77. 6 Paige 480. 34. Robinson v. Oropsey, 6 Paige 37. Susman v. Whyard, 149 N. Y.. 480. 137. 35. Quirk v. Rodman, 5 Duer 38. Robinson v. Cropsey, 6 Paige 285. 480. 36. Dickinson v. Oliver, 96 App. 39. Hughes v. Harlam, 166 N. Y_ Div. 65, 89 N. Y. Supp. 53; same case, 487. Distinguished peom Othee Contbacts. IS destroyed, and the creditor thereupon executed to the debtor a writing by which he promised to sell the mortgage to the debtor, if he would pay the $225 by a certain day, and it appeared that the creditor several times before the day of payment declared that he held the assignment as security for his debt, it was held that the assignment was a mortgage and not a conditional sale.*" Where a debtor gave his creditors a bill of sale of certain goods for the amount due, and, while retaining the possession of the goods, gave such creditors a storage receipt, acknowledging that he held the property for them, and it was verbally agreed that the debtor might have the goods again by paying the debt in a specified time, it was held that the transaction was a conditional sale, not a mortgage of the goods.*^ Where a mortgagee, who was the landlord of a farm leased to the mortgagor, took possession of the property under the chattel mortgage and shortly afterward the mortgagor transferred his equity to the mortgagee, and four days thereafter the mortgagee agreed to give the original mortgagor an option to repurchase the property in two years, under which arrangement all the hay cut and crops raised upon the farm were to be and remain the property of the landlord, it was held that the latter agreement was not a chattel mortgage required to be filed as the title was previously in the landlord and was merely reserved there by the agreement.*^ Where one tenant in common sold to his co-tenant his undivided share in the common property in consideration of the discbarge of previous debts, and it was agreed that the vendee should convey to the vendor the whole property held in common, upon the payment of a specified sum at the end of one year, together with the value of the improvements made in the meantitne, it was held that the transaction was a valid agreement of sale and repurchase and not a mere mortgage.** When the owner of a bond and mortgage, made by a third per- son, applies to another to make a loan on the security thereof, but the latter refuses to do so, but purchases them, at less than their face, and takes a transfer which recites a sale, at a sum named, and conveys them in pursuance thereof, the transaction will not 40. Clark v. Henry, 2 Cow. 334. 30 N. Y. Supp. 91, aif'd, 150 N. Y. 41. Gomez v. Kamping, 4 Daly 662, mem. 77. 43. Robinson v. Cropsey, 6 Paige 42. Hawkins v. Beakes, 80 Hun 293, 480. le; Chattel Moetgages. be treated as being, in effect, a mortgage, merely because the pur- chaser gives his covenant to the vendor, to resell them to the latter, within a time named, and on conditions specified.** Sec. 5. Pledge. a. In General. — There are two vital considerations which aid in distinguishing between a chattel mortgage and a pledge. First. in a chattel mortgage the legal title to the mortgaged property is transferred, but in a pledge the legal title is not generally thus transferred, the pledgee taking merely the right to retain the property as security for the indebtedness.*" Second, in a chattel mortgage, the possession of the property may or may not be in the mortgagee, but, to construe the transaction as a pledge, it is essen- tial that the pledgee have possession.*' 44. Quirk i>. Eodinan> 5 Duer 285. 45. Wilson v. Little, Z N. Y. 443 ; People V. Scudder, 177 App. Div. 225, 163 N. Y. Supp. 739, affd, 221 N. Y. 670; People v. E. Remington & Sons, 59 Hun 282, 12 N. Y. Supp. 824, aff'd, 126 N. Y. 654, mem.; Tedeseo v. Op- penheimer, 15 Misc. 522, 37 N. Y. Supp. 1073 ; Lewis v. Graham, 4 Abb. Pr. 106; Huntington v. Mather, S Barb. 538, 6 N. Y. Leg. Obs. 206; Campbell v. Parker, 9 Bosw. 322; Cortelyou v. Lansing, 2 Cai. Cas. 200; Schoenrock v. Farley, 17 J. & S. 302; Brees© v. Bange, 2 E. D. Smith 474; I McParland v. Wheeler, 26 Wend. 467. The leading difference between a pledge and a mortgage is that the former is security for the payment of debt, while the latter is a conditional sale which becomes absolute by non- performance of the condition, which requires payment of a specified sum at a fixed day. Haskins v. Kelly, 1 Abb. Pr., N. S., 63, 24 Super. Ct. (1 Bob.) 160. "A mortgage of goods is a pledge and more; for it is an absolute pledge to become an absolute interest, if not redeemed at the specified time. After the condition forfeited, the mortgagee has an absolute interest in the thing mortgaged; whereas a pawnee has but a special property in the goods to de- tain them for his security." Brown V. Bement, 8 Johns. 96, 97. " A mortgage is a sale of goods with a condition that if the mortgagor pays, it shall be void. A pledge con- tains no words of sale, but an au- thority, if the debt is not paid, to sell the pledge for that purpose. In the one case the title passes to the mort- gagees; in the other, the title remains in the pledgor, although possession is given to the pledgee." Lewis v. Gra- ham, 4 Abb. Pr. 106. 46. People v. E. Remington & Sons, 59 Hun 282, 12 N. Y. Supp. 824, of ■. Little, 2 N. Y. 443; and procures an assignment of it to Wheeler v. Newbould, 16 N. Y. 392; the lender, as security for the repay- Garlick v. James, 12 Johns. 146 ; King ment of the loan,' the mortgage be- V. Van Vleck, 40 Hun 68, aff'd, 109 N. comes in the hands of the latter a Y. 363; Lewis v. Graham, 4 Abb. Pr. mere pledge for the loan and is dis- 106 ; Haskins v. Kelly, 1 Abb. Pr., N. charged by a tender thereof. Haskins S., 63, 1 Eob. 160 ; Campbell v. v. Kelly, 1 Abb. Pr., N. S., 63, 1 Eob. Parker, 9 Bosw. 322; Cortelyou v. 160. Lansing, 2 Cai. Cas. 200. See also Certificates of Stock. — An agree- Hasbrouck v. Vandervoort, 4 Sandf. ment, whereby the maker of notes de- 74. liters certificates of stock as collateral Promissory Note. — Where a debtor security for the payment of the notM, deposits with his creditor a promis- stipulating that if the notes are not sory note as collateral security for a paid at maturity the securities shall deibt, the transaction is a. pledge. be under the control of the holder Garlick v. James, 12 Johns. 146. who is authorized to dispose of them. Where, by a written agreement, A. and to apply the proceeds to the delivered to B, a note of a third party credit of the maker, is a pledge, not for 200 bushels of wheat valued at a mortgage. Lewis v. Graham, 4 Abb. $200 and agreed, in case the wheat Pr. 106. did not pay for such sum, to make up 62. King v. Van Vleck, 40 Hun 68, the deficiency; and B. thereby gave affd, 109 N". Y. 363. See also Hunt- to A. the power of redeeming the note, ington v. Mather, 2 Barb. 538^ by paying $186 and interest at any 62a. People v. Seudder, 177 App. time within six months of the time Div. 235, 163 N. Y. Supp. TSff, affd, the note was payable, it was held that 221 N. Y. 670. the note was deposited as a pledge. McLean v. Walker, 10 Johns. 471. 20 Chattel Moetgages. for the chattel mortgage is not made until some time after the delivery of the property. Such equitable lien is enforceable against the vendees and persons claiming under them, not bona fide pur- chasers. But the failure of the vendors to demand the mortgage upon the delivery of the property, vests the legal title thereto in the vendees ; and the vendor cannot recover the same in an action at law but must resort to a suit in equity."^ But, if a contract to give a mortgage is not filed, it is not enforceable as an equitable lien as against third parties where the mortgage, if executed but not filed, would be void as against such parties."* Sec. 7. General Assignment. The material and essential characteristic of a general assignment is the presence of a trust. The assignee is merely a trustee and not an absolute owner. He buys nothing and pays nothing, but takes the title for the performance of trust duties.'^ A general assignment is distinguished from a chattel mortgage upon the further ground that the former covers all the property of the assignor. "^ An assignment by a debtor of all his property in trust for the benefit of a particular class of creditors, reserving the sur- plus to himself is fraudulent and void, but this principle does not apply where the assignment is to creditors for the purpose of securing their demands. Such a transfer, whatever may be its form, is in legal efi^ect only a mortgage."^ Sec. 8. Assignment in Trust. By statutory enactment, a transfer of personal property, in trust for the use of the person making it, is void as against existing or 63. Husted v. Ingraham, 75 N. Y. ness accounts to a third person, do 251. not covei all the debtor's property 64. Bell V. New York Safety Steam and are only intended to secure the Power Co., 183 Fed. 274. See also payment of debts of the mortgagee infra, the subdivision Operation as and certain other creditors mentioned Equitable Lien, p. 33. therein, they are not within the 65. Brown V. Guthrie, 110 N. Y. statute which regulates the making of 436. general assignments for the benefit 66. Brown v. Guthrie, 110 N. Y. of creditors. Delany v. Valentine, 154 435. N. Y. 692. When a chattel mortgage, executed 67. Leitch v. Hollister, 4 N. Y. 211; and delivered by a debtor to one of Dunham v. Whitehead, 21 N. Y. his creditors, and a transfer of busi- 131. Distinguished feom Othee Contracts. 21 subsequent creditors of such person."' Where the assignment is made to the creditors themselves for the purpose of securing their particular demands, though the surplus of the property after the satisfaction of their demands is to be rendered to the assignor, the instrument is in legal effect only a chattel mortgage and is not vitiated by such statute."' An assignment by a debtor of his prop- erty to his creditor, in trust to sell and pay his own debt, reserving the surplus to the debtor or his assignees, is in effect a mortgage,"* and where the debt which it is designed to secure is paid, the property reverts to the original owner .'"^ Sec. 9. Lease Reserving Lien. A clause in a lease reserving to the landlord, as security for the rent, a lien upon property brought or crops grown upon the demised premises is not, strictly speaking, a chattel mortgage.'^ Upon the execution of a lease providing that the lessor shall have a lien upon the crops which may be enforced by the taking and selling of such property, the title to the crops is not thereby transferred to the landlord as title is transferred to a chattel mortgagee. The land- lord does not acquire title until possession is taken or the instru- ment foreclosed.'^ While such an instrument does not pass title to property not in existence or not yet acquired at law, it gives the lessor a license to seize the property and title thereto passes upon seizure; in equity, the beneficial interest to the property is transferred and, upon its acquisition or coming into existence, title 68. Pers. Prop. L., § 34. And see debt shall be placed at the disposal infra, the subdivision Frauclulent of the party by whom the bill is made Trust, p. 118. and his creditors, is not an assign- 69. Leitch v. Hollister, 4 N. Y. 211; ment under our assignment laws but Dunham v. Whitehead, 21 N. Y. 131; is merely a mortgage with possession Delany ». Valentine, 154 N. Y. 692. in the mortgagee. Nichols v. Lyon, 70. Dunham v. Whitehead, 21 N. Y. 14 St. Rep. 549. 131 ; McClelland V. Remsen, 36 Barb. 71. McClelland v. Remsen, 36 Barb. 622, 14 Abb. Pr. 331, 23 How. Pr. 175, 622, 14 Abb. Pr. 331, 23 How. Pr. afd, 3 Abb. Dee. 74; 5 Abb. Pr., 175, aff'd, 3 Abb. Dec. 74, 5 Abb. Pr., W. S., 250. N. S., 250. A bill of sale, made to a party to 72. Streeter v. Ward, 12 St. Rep. secure a debt, with the agreement 333; Milliman v. Neher, 20 Barb. 37. that all the proceeds of the property 73. Streeter v. Ward, 12 St. Rep. over and above the amount of the 333. 22 Chattel Mobtgages. is transferred without the intervention of any new act.'* Such a lien is enforceable to the same extent against third parties having no rights superior to those of the tenant.^^ Thus, if the lease is duly filed as a chattel mortgage, a subsequent purchaser, though without knowledge of the provision in the lease, takes title subject to the landlord's claim.'* A lease reserving such a lien, however, operates as a chattel mortgage and is required to be filed as against creditors, etc." The reserved lien is valid and enforceable between the parties, but, if no;t filed, is void as to creditors or subsequent purchasers or mortgagees in good faith.'' A lease may contain a provision that the ownership of crops shall remain in the landlord until the tenant pays the rent or gives security therefor. Under such a contract, the title to the crops vests in the landlord as soon 74. McCaffrey v. Woodin, 65 N. Y. 459 ; Wismer v. Ocumpaugh, 71 N. Y. 113; Reynolds V. Ellis, 103 N. Y. 115; Nestell V. Hewitt, 19 Abb. N. C. 282. 75. Wismer v. Ocumpaugh, 71 N. Y. 113; Reynolds v. Ellis, 103 N. Y. 115. 76. Smith v. Taber, 46 Hun 313, 14 St. Rep. 644. 77. Duffus V. Bangs, 123 N. Y. 433; Reynolds v. Ellis, 34 Hun 47, afd, 103 N. Y. 115; Thomas v. Bacon, 34 Hun 88; Betsinger v. Schuyler, 46 Hun 349, 12 St. Rep. 377; Hare V. Follett, 17 N. Y. Supp. 559 ; Steffin v. Steffin, 4 Civ. Pro. R. 179; Johnson v. Crofoot, 53 Barb. 574, 37 How. Pr. 59. Subsequent Mortgagee. — A pro- -vision in a lease of real estate, rented for the purpose of raising nursery stock, that the lessor should have a. lien, as security for the payment of the rent, upon the growing crops, fruits, etc., raised upon the premises, where the lease is not filed as a chattel mortgage, does not affect thfe right of a, subsequent mortgagee and purchaser under mortgage foreclosure, where he had no knowledge of the provision in the lease. Duffus v. 3angs, 122 N. Y. 423. Filing of Instrument Not Required. — In Hawkins v. Beakes, 80 Hun 292, 30 N. Y. Supp. 91, aif'd, 150 N. Y. 562, mem., it appeared that the plaintiff took possession of all the property of his tenant under a chattel mortgage and the mortgagor there- upon conveyed to him the equity; four days thereafter the landlord agreed to give the tenant an option to repurchase the property in two years, under which arrangement all the hay and crops raised upon the farm were to be and remain the prop- erty of the landlord; it was held that this latter contract was not in the nature of a qhattel mortgage and was not required to be filed. 78. Thomas V. Benton, 34 Hun 88; Betsinger v. Schuyler, 46 Hun 349, 12 St. Rep. 377; Steffin v. Steffin, 4 Civ. Pro. R. 179; Johnson v. Crofoot, 53 Barb. 574, 37 How. Pr. 59. Creditor Levying Upon Tenant's Interest. — Where an agreement for the cultivation of land upon shares provided that the title to all the prop- erty raised or produced should be and remain in the owner of the land until the fulfillment of the contract, it was held that such agreement, not having been filed, was invalid as against an Distinguished peom Otheh Contracts. 23 as they come into existence. The only interest the tenant has is the right to acquire the property when he performs the conditions ; such an interest is not subject to execution though it may be reached by creditors in an equitable proceeding.'* Where an agree- ment to work a farm on shares provided that the owner should make certain advances to the worker to enable him to carry on the work, and that the title to the crops should remain in the owner until the advances were fully repaid, it was held that the instru- ment was not in the nature of a chattel mortgage and was not required to be filed and that the worker, before the payment of the advances, had no interest in the crop which was capable of transfer to a third party as against the landlord.*" Where an agreement was made between the landlord and the tenant of a farm that the tenant should take good care of the cows and, in case the hay raised upon the farm failed to winter them, the landlord would supply the de- £ciency at the rate of three dollars per ton, and, if there was a surplus, the landlord should have it and pay the tenant three dollars a ton therefor, it was held that the agreement did not place the title of the hay in the landlord.*^ Where, under a lease of a farm and seven cows, the landlord agreed to furnish sufficient hay to keep the cows " to grass " and the tenant agreed to pay the rent and to feed out all the fodder on said farm that was raised on the farm and to winter the stock " through to grass in the spring of 1884 on hay," it was held that the title to the hay was in the tenant and was subject to sale under execution against him.'^ Where a lease of a farm contained a clause that the butter and crops made execution levied upon the undivided tion. In sucli cases, it is not neces- interest of the tenant in the crops sary to have the execution returned under a judgment against him. Hare unsatisiied as a condition precedent V. Follett, 17 N. Y. Supp. 559. of the right of a court of equity to Remedy of Creditor. — Where a take jurisdiction. StefEn v. Steffin, 4 clause in a lease reserving a lien upon Civ. Pro. R. 179. crops is Inoperative as against the 79. Andrew v. Newcomb, 32 N. Y. creditors of the tenant, because the 417. See also Hare v. Follett, 17 N. instrument is not properly filed, a Y. Supp. 559. creditor, if the lease is used as a 80. Booker v. Stewart, 75 Hun 314, fraudulent obstruction to the enforce- 27 N. Y. Supp. 114. ment of his execution, may invoke the 81. MeCombs v. Becker, 3 Hun aid of a court of equity to remove 343. the obstruction in aid of the exeeu- 82. Hawkins v. Giles, 45 Hun 318. 24 Chattel Moetgages. by the tenant were to be under the control of the landlord until the rent was paid but should not be sold by the landlord prior to the 1st day of January in any year without the consent of the tenant, it was held that the landlord did not have any lien upon or title to such farm produce.*' 83. Hess V. Sprague, 13 Week. Dig. 164. Chattel Moetgages. 25- CHAPTER III. SUBJECTS OF MORTGAGE. Sec. 1. Chose in Action. a. In General. b. Liquor Tax Certificate. c. Bill of Lading or Warehouse Receipt. 2. Property Not Owned by Mortgagor. a. In General. b. Property Fraudulently Obtained by Mortgagor. c. After-acquired Property. d. Property Not in Existence. e. Property Potentially in Existence. f. Crops. g. Operation as Equitable Lien. 3. Growing Trees. 4. Fixtures. 5. Rolling Stock. 6. Chattels Real. 7. Future Estate. 8. Stock of Goods. 9. Vessels. Sec. 1. Chose in Action. a. In General. — The statutory provisions concerning chattel mortgages relate to mortgages on " goods and chattels." The term " chattels," as used in the statute, refers to things that can be used, handled and transported, as horses, carriages, furniture, ma- chinery, tools and the numberless objects to be seen about us in every-day life, the value of which is in the possession of the thing itself.^ But the application of the statute to goods and chattels does not forbid the transfer of other kinds of personal property, such as choses in action, by way of mortgage. In fact, a mortgage of the latter may be a more effective security to the mortgagee for the filing thereof is not required.^ Thus, a valid mortgage has 1. Niles V. Mathusa, 162 N. Y. 2. See Niles. v. Mathusa, 162 N. Y. S46. 546. 26 Chattel Moetgages. been made of a contract,^ an insurance policy,* a mortgage," a lease," and a copyright.' ChosQs in action do not pass under general words in a conveyance.* Where a chose in -action is de- livered to a creditor as security for a debt, the transaction is gen- erally a pledge, not a mortgage." b. Liquor Tax Certificate. — A liquor tax certificate is personal property but is not a chattel within the meaning of the Lien Law and a transfer thereof as security for a loan need not be filed as a chattel mortgage. The transfer is valid though it is not filed. ^'' A mortgage of a liquor tax certificate and the renewal thereof givea the mortgagee no right to a renewal certificate subsequently issued, because it was not in existence when the mortgage was given. The mortgage, however, is good in equity as a contract to assign the new certificate when acquired.^^ Where a liquor tax certificate is assigned by the holder to the person lending the money for its procurement, as security for the repayment of the loan, the assignee is entitled to its possession as against a receiver in supplementary proceedings of the property of the apparent owner who has come into possession thereof.^" 3. Hart v. Taylor, 82 N. Y. 373 ; Tyler v. Strang, 21 Barb. 198. An assignment of a contract for the manufacture of a safe and a power of attorney to collect the purchase price, as security for a loan, gives the assignee the right to collect the money for the safe when due but does not give him any lien or right to the possession of the safe. Hart v. Tay- lor, 82 N. Y. 373. 4. King V. Van Vleck, 109 N. Y. 363. 5. Hoyt V. Martense, 16 N. Y. 231; Harrison v. Burlingame, 48 Hun 212 ; Clark^ V. Henry, 2 Cow. 324 ; Slee v. JUanhattan Co., 1 Paige 48.- 6. Despard v. Walbridge, 15 N. Y. 374; Booth v. Kehoe, 71 N. Y. 341. See also Johnston v. Flickinger, 97 -Misc. 169, 160 N. Y. Supp. 962. 7. See Hall v. Ditson, 5 Abb. N. 0. 198, 8. General Electric Co. v. Wight- man, 3 App. Div. 118, 39 N. Y. Supp. 420. 9. See supra, the subdivision Pledge, p. 16. 10. Niles V. Mathusa, 163 N. Y. 546; Koehler & Son Co. v. Flebbe, 21 App. Div. 210, 47 N. Y. Supp. 369. See also People v. Durante, 19 App. Div. 292, 45 N. Y. Supp. 1073. 11. McNeeley v. Welz, 166 N. Y. 124; Anchor Brewing Co. v. Burns, 32 App. Div. 272, 53 N. Y. Supp. 1005. An assignment of a liquoi tax cer- tificate in the nature of a mortgage covering a certificate already issued and also for any renewal or subse- quent certificate does not give the mortgagee a, right to the renewal certificate as against a person who advanced the money for the renewal and took an assignment thereof in similar form. Anchor Brewing Co. v. Burns, 32 App. Div. 272, 52 N. Y. Supp. 1005. 12. Koehler & Son Co. v. Flebbe, ^ 21 App. Div. 210, 47 N. Y. Supp. 369. Subjects op Mortgage, 27 c. Bill of Lading or Warehoiise Receipt. — The delivery of a Tbill of lading or warehouse receipt as security for a debt has the effect of transferring the property represented thereby and such delivery may constitute a mortgage of the property.^* Sec. 2. Property Not Owned by Mortgagor. a. In General. — It is essential to the validity of a chattel mort- gage that the mortgagor have some interest in the property he assumes to thus transfer.^* But a mortgagor may agree to mort- gage property not then owned or to give a lien upon it as soon as he gets it and equity will enforce the agreement and establish the lien." b. Property Fraudulently Obtained hy Mortgagor. — Although a thief can acquire no title to property stolen, a person in posses- sion of chattels, though he acquired his possession by a fraudulent purchase, may give a good title thereto to a bona fide mortgagee. The title of such a mortgagor is not void, but voidable, and is good until avoided by the person defrauded.^" Where, however, the mortgage is given to hinder, delay, and defraud the creditors of the mortgagor,^' or to secure an existing indebtedness,^' the mort- gagee is not entitled to the rights of a bona fide mortgagee, and his rights are inferior to those of the original vendor who has exercised his option to avoid the sale. In an action by the original vendor to recover the value of the property, he is entitled, even as against the mortgagee, to rest upon proving the fraud in the original pur- chase, and the burden is upon the latter to prove that the mortgage was taken in good f aith.^° 13. First Nat. Bank V. Kelly, 57 also McEchron v. Martine, 111 App. N. Y. 34; Bank of Rochester v. Jones, Dlv. 805, 97 N. Y. Supp. 951; Church 4 N. Y. 497; Farmers & Mechanics' v. Lapshajn, 94 App. Div. 550, 88 N. Nat. Bank of Buffalo v. Lang, 87 N. Y. Supp. 222. Y. 209. 15. National Bank of Deposit V. 14. National Bank of Deposit v. Rogers, 166 N. Y. 380, 390. See also Hogers, 166 N. Y. 380; Crandall v. infra, the subdivision Operation as Brown, 18 Hun 461 ; Farmers' L. & Equitable Lien, p. 33. T. Co. V. Long Beach Improvement 16. Lembeck, etc., Brewing Co. v. Co., 27 Hun 89; Brunswick-Balke- Sexton, 184 N. Y. 185. Collender Co. v. Stephenson, 4 N. Y. 17. Moyer v. Bloomingdale, 38 App. Supp. 123; Tweedie v. Clark, 114 Div. 227, 56 N. Y. Supp. 991. App. Div. 296, 99 N. Y. Supp. 856; 18. Van Slyck f. Newton, 10 Hun 554. Stewart v. Fidelity Loan Assoc., 19 19. Moyer v. Bloomingdale, 38 App. Misc. 49, 42 N. Y. Supp. 705. See Div. 227, 56 N. Y. Supp. 991. 28 Chattel Moetgages. c. After^acquired Property. — A mortgage of property to be subsequently acquired is not effective in passing the title of such, property to the mortgagee/" Such a mortgage may, however, be construed as an agreement to give a mortgage on such property ■when acquired and may thus operate as an equitable lien thereon. ^^ At law the mortgagee has no title to the property but has a license 20. Gardner v. McEwen, 19 N. Y. 123; Yates v. Olmatead, 56 N. Y. 632; Kribbs v. Alford, 120 N. Y. 519 ; Mc- Neeley v. Welz, 166 N. Y. 124 ; Titus- ville IrA mortgage upon non- existing or after-acquired property, while not effective as a mort- gage, operates, in some cases, as an equitable lien.*^ Where one of the lessees of premises executed a mortgage upon his interest in the lease and property to be placed on the premises, and there- -after the lessees transferred to another their rights under the lease, it was held that the mortgage operated as an equitable lien upon property subsequently placed on the premises by such lessees and that such lien was effective as against the transferees who had constructive knowledge thereof, but that such lien did not cover property subsequently placed on the premises by the trans- ferees.** Where a lease of certain hotel property contained a clause: "A lien to be given by the said lessees to said lessors to secure the payment thereof (the rent) on all the furniture that A chattel mottgage of potatoes not the contract provides that the owner- planted carries no title to the mort- ship of the crops shall remain in the gagee. Cressey v. Sabre, 17 Hun owner until the tenant pays the rent 120. or gives security therefor, the title As against creditors, a mortgage to the crops vests in the landlord as upon crops not yet planted is void, soon as the crops come into existence but, as to crops planted, it is valid and the tenant has no interest therein if filed. Rochester Distilling Co. v. which can be levied upon under an Hasey, 65 Hun 512, 20 N. Y. Supp. execution; the only interest of the 583, aff'd, 142 N. Y. 570. tenant is the right to acquire the 45. Andrew v. Newcomb, 33 N. Y. property when he performs the con- 417; Booher v. Stewart, 75 Hun 214, ditions. Andrew v. Newcomb, 32 27 N. Y. Supp. 114; Fleetham v. N. Y. 417. Eeddick, 82 Hun 390, 31 N. Y. Supp. 46. Page v. Larrowe, 23 N. Y. Supp. 342; Nestell V. Hewitt, 19 Abb. N. C. 1099, 51 St. Rep. 35. 282. Compare Milliman v. Neher, 20 47. See supra, the subdivision After- Barb. 37. acquired Property, p. 28; Property Interest of Tenant. — Where the Not m Existence, p. 29. owner of a farm leases the same and 48. Kribbs v. Mioid, 120 N. Y, 51^ 3 34 Chattel Mortgages. shall be placed in said hotel by said lessees," it was held that the clause did not create a lien, but was a covenant to do so, but that equity would decree a specific performance thereof.*' Such equitable lien may be foreclosed by a suit in equity; ^^ and if the mortgagor has disposed of the property, the mortgagee can impress his lien upon the avails therepf.^^ But, at law, no lien upon or title to the mortgaged property passes to the mort- gagee.^^ The extent of the mortgagee's legal rights is a license to seize the property. Upon such seizure, legal title thereto is vested in the mortgagee.^* 49. Hale v. Omaha Nat. Bank, 49 N. Y. 636. 50. Deeley v. Dwight, 133 N. Y. 69. Chose in Action. — A mortgage pur- porting to cover after-acquired prop- erty creates merely an equitable lien thereon; the mortgagee to subject the property to the lien of his mortgage must take physical possession thereof, if it is of a chattel nature, and, if it is a chose in action, he must com- mence a proceeding in equity to sub- ject it to the lien. Medina, etc.. Light Co. V. Buffalo, etc.. Safe De- posit Co., 119 App. Div. 245, 104 N. Y. Supp. 625. Trust. — ^ If a mortgage upon prop- erty to be acquired is valid as a con- tract to give a lien, it can be en- forced only as a right under the con- tract, not as a trust attached to the property. Otis v. Sill, 8 Barb. 102. 51. Hale v. Omaha Nat. Bank, 49 N. Y. 626. 52. Deeley v. Dwight, 133 N. Y. 59 ; Fleetham v. ' Eeddick, 82 Hun 390, 31 N. Y. Supp. 342. 53. McCaffrey v. Woodin, 65 N. Y. 459; Fleetham v. Eeddick, 82 Hun 390, 31 N. Y. Supp. 342. Legal Rights of Mortgagee.— Where a person gives to another a chattel mortgage upon a crop of grain to be planted in the future, not for the purpose of securing rent due to the mortgagee, the mortgagee ac- quires thereby no legal title to the crop thereafter planted or raised by the mortgagor; the mortgage, how- ever, confers on the mortgagee a. li- cense to take such crop, and if he seizes it before the sale thereof by the mortgagor, the title to such prop- erty then vests in him, but, if prior to any such seizure by the mort- gagee the mortgagor sells the prop- erty, the mortgagee, never having^ had legal title thereto, cannot main- tain an action for the conversion thereof. Fleetham v. Eeddick, 82 Hun 390, 31 N. Y. Supp. 342. Replevin. — Where a, chattel mort- gage provides that the mortgagor may- sell the mortgaged property from time to time if he replace it with other goods of a similar l^ind and quantity, the mortgagee, upon the default of the mortgagor, cannot maintain an action to replevy the substituted property. Denier v. Bone- wur, 134 App. Div. 577, 119 N. Y. Supp. 313. Equitable Defense. — Under our system of administering law and equity, an equitable defense may be set up in a legal action, and thus the mortgagee may, in certain cases, set up his equitable lien as a defense to an action at law. See Anchor Brewing Co. v. Bums, 32 App. Mv.. 272, 52 N. Y. Supp. 1005. Subjects or Moetgage. 35 An equitable lien, in the absence of fraud, is valid as between the parties,^* and third persons with knowledge thereof/^ But, until the mortgagee seizes the property or does some act to make his lien effective, it is invalid as against creditors, or purchase/s or mortgagees in good faith/* To be effective as against a sub- sequent purchaser or mortgagee, it is not essential that he have actual knowledge thereof; constructive notice, such as given by the proper filing of the mortgage, is sufficient/^ The mortgage, if filed, is notice, though a search in the clerk's office fails to inform the searcher thereof/' A mortgage operating as an equitable lien is superior to a second mortgage expressly subject to the prior mortgage/' 54. Husted v. Ingraiam, 75 N. Y. 251; Ludwig v. Kipp, 20 Hun 365; Kennedy v. National Union Bank of Wateirtown, 23 Hun 494; Perkins v. Batterson, 66 Hun 583, 21 N. Y. Supp. 815. 55. Kribbs v. Alford, 120 N. Y. 519 ; Wood V. Lester, 29 Barb. 145; Tilden V. Tilden, 26 Misc. 672, 57 N.' Y. Supp. 864. 56. Koebester Distilling Co. v. Eascy, 142 N. Y. 570 ; TitusviUe Iron Co. V. City of New York, 207 N. Y. 203; Farmers' L. & T. Co. v. Long Beaoh Improvement Co., 27 Hun 89; Keynolds «. Ellis, 34 Hun 47, aff'd, 103 N. Y. 115; Perkins v. Batterson, 66 Hun 583, 21 N. Y. Supp. 815; Beebe v. Eichmond L. H. & P. Co., 13 Misc. 737, 35 N. Y. Supp. 1; Tilden V. Tilden, 26 Misc. 672, 57 N. Y. Supp. 864; Otis v. Sill, 8 Barb. 102; Cooper V. Douglas, 44 Barb. 409. Seizure. — Where tbe mortgagee, in a mortgage of subsequently ac- quired property, seizes the property before the rights of third parties intervene, he may hold the same as against the mortgagor or third parties. McCaffrey v. Woodin, 65 N. Y. 459; Kennedy v. National Union Bank of Watertown, 23 Hun 494; Perkins v. Batterson, 66 Hun £83, 21 N. Y. Supp. 815. Creditors.— A mortgage cannot be given future effect as a lien upon personal property, which, at the time of its delivery, was not in existence, actually or potentially when the rights of creditors have intervened. Bochester Distilling Co. v. Easey 142 N. Y. 570 ; TitusviUe Iron Co. v. City of New York, 207 N. Y. 203. A bona fide purchaser of the prop- erty is entitled to hold the same dis- charged of the equitable lien. Wood V. Lester, 29 Barb. 145. Action by Lienor against Subse- quent Mortgagee. — An action cannot be maintained by one claiming a prior equitable lien upon personal property against a subsequent mortgagee on the theory that the defendant has so con- ducted himself in the exercise of his legal right of sale as unnecessarily to reduce the value of the plaintiff's lien, where it appears that the de- fendant 'has done nothing but exer- cise his l^al right to foreclose his mortgage and sell the interest of the mortgagor in the property. Hale v. Omaha National Bank, 64 N. Y. 550. 57. Kribbs v. Alford, 120 N. Y. 519. 58. Kribbs v. Alford, 120 N. Y. 519. 59. Stevens v. Watson, 4 Abb. Dec. 302. 36 Chattel MoETOAaEs. Sec. 3. Growing Trees. A chattel mortgage upon nursery stock works a severance of the stock from the real estate and after default the absolute title vests in the mortgagee, who becomes entitled to enter upon the property and remove it with as little injury to the owner of the realty as possible.*" But, it seems, that a mortgage upon growing trees does not work such a severance until default."^ Sec. 4. Fixtures. '2 Whether property upon which a mortgage is given is per- sonalty and thus subject to a chattel mortgage or whether it is so annexed to the realty as to be subject only to a real estate mort- gage often presents a difficult question.*' Where a mortgage is given upon chattels prior to their annexation to the realty, they generally retain their character as personal property, such being deemed the intention of the parties.** But it has been held that 60. Duffus V. Bangs, 43 Hrni 53, aff'd, 122 N. Y. 423. 61. Bank of Lansingburgh v. Crary, 1 Barb. 542. 62. Fixtures. — As to what con- stitute, see Walt's Law and Prac- tice (7th ed.), vol. 1, p. 817. 63. Looms in Woolen Factory. — Where looms in a woolen factory, together with the factory, were con- veyed by mortgage recorded only as a real estate mortgage, it was held that a creditor of the mortgagor could levy upon the looms, where they were connected with the, motive power by leather bands but not otherwise annexed to the building than by screws holding them to the floor. Murdock v. GifFord, 18 N. Y. 28. Hop poles used in the raising of hops upon a farm are covered by a mortgage of the land, whether they are upon the farm at the time of the giving of the mortgage or are subse- quently brought thereon, and the lien of the mortgage upon them is superior to the title acquired by one who, with knowledge of the prior mortgage and of the mortgagor's insolvency, takes a chattel mortgage upon the poles im- mediately after their removal from the farm, to secure himself from liability for prior indorsements made by him for the accommodation of the mortgagor. Sullivan v. Toole, 26 Hun 203. Theatre chairs, secured to the floor of a theatre by screws 2% inches in length, do not lose their character as personalty and may be the subject of a chattel mortgage. Metropolitan Concert Co. v. Sperry, 9 St.. Rep. 342. 64. Sisson v. Hibbard', 75 N. Y. 542; Kinsey v. Bailey, 9 Hun 452. Salt Kettles. — Where salt kettles were bought and mortgaged to the seller as personalty and then em- bedded in brick arches but could be removed therefrom without injury at an inconsiderable expense, it was held that they continued personalty as against a subsequent purchaser of the salt works, who had no actual notice of the facts. Ford v. Cobb. 20 N. Y. 344. Subjects of Moetgage. 37 chattels may be so annexed to the realty that they lose their char- acter as personalty. In such a case the remedy of the mortgagee is against the person who wrongfuly converts the property into realty.*" Under a lease providing that all alterations made by either party, except movable fixtures, shall be the property of the lessor, the holder of a chattel mortgage given by the lessee upon trade fixtures attached to the building has no lien thereon as against the lessor."' Sec. 5. Rolling Stock. The rolling stock of a railroad is not a part of its realty, but retains its character as personal property, and may be the subject of a chattel mortgage."' Sec. 6. Chattels Real. A lease of real estate for a term of years is termed a " chattel real." "' It is personal property but is not a " chattel " within the meaning of the statutes relating to the filing of chattel mort- gages and a mortgage thereof is not, therefore, required to be filed."' Sec. 7. Future Estate. A mortgage upon a vested interest in personal property, not reducible to possession until the death of a third party, is valid as an equitable mortgage; such a mortgage need not be filed as a chattel mortgage.'" G5. Voorhees v. McGinnis, 48 N. Y. 68. Real Property Law, § 33. 282. Later cases, however, have cast 69. In re Fulton, 153 Fed. 664; doubt upon the authority of Voor- State Trust Co. v. Casino Co., 19 App. hees V. McGinnis. See Tifft v. Hor- Div. 344, 46 N. Y. Supp. 492. See ton, 53 N. Y. 377; Kinsey v. Bailey, also State Trust Co. v. Casino Co., 9 Hun 452. 5 App. Div. 381, 39 N. Y. Supp. 258; 66. Excelsior Brewing Co. v. Smith, Westchester Trust Co. v. Hobby 125 App. Div. 668, 110 N. Y. Supp. 8. Bottling Co., 102 App. Div. 464, 92 67. Hoyle v. Plattsburgh & Mon- N. Y. Supp. 482, aff'd, 187 N. Y. 577, treal R. Co., 54 N. Y. 314; Stevens v. mem. Buffalo & N. Y. City R. Co., 31 Barb. 70. Tilden v. Tilden, 26 Misc. 673, 590, overruling Farmers' L. & T. Co. 57 N. Y. Supp. 864. V. Hendrickson, 25 Barb. 484. 38 Chattel Moetgages. Sec. 8. Stock of Goods. A mortgage on a retail stock of goods is a questionable security. If there is an arrangement between th,e parties that the mortgagor may sell the goods for his own benefit, the mortgage is generally deemed fraudulent as to the creditors of the mortgagor.'^ A procedure is now outlined by statute by which a lien may be imposed on a stock of goods.^^ Sec. 9. Vessels. The validity and effect of mortgages on vessels is, in many respects, different from mortgages upon other property. A sub- sequent chapter of this work is devoted to such mortgages.'^ 71. See infra, the subdivision Bes- See infra, the chapter Mortgage on, ervation 63/ Mortgagor of Disposal of Stock of Goods, p. 186. Property, p. 108. 73. See infra, p. 189. 72. Personal Property Law, § 45. Chattel Moktgages. 39 CHAPTER IV. FORM AND VALIDITY. Sec. 1. In General. 2. Verbal Mortgage. 3. Parties. a. In General. b. Infants. c. Partnership. d. Joint Owners of Property. €. Joint Mortgagees. 4. Corporate Mortgages. a. Statute. b. Consents. c. Who May Attack for Failure to Comply with Statute. d. Corporate Mortgage Operating as Preference. e. Mortgage by Railroad. f. Filing of Corporate Mortgage. 5. Debt. a. In General. b. Future Advances. K. Inaccurate Statement of Debt, d. Parol Evidence to Explain. 6. Description of Property. a. In General. b. Indefinite. c. Schedule. d. Parol Evidence to Explain. 7. Validity of Mortgage. a,. In General. b. By What Law Determined. c. Usurious Mortgage. d. Mortgage to Compound Crime. e. Delivery of Mortgage. f . Alteration of Mortgage. g. Confusion of Goods. Sec. 1. In General. No particular form is required to constitute a valid chattel mortgage.^ An instrument in the form of a real estate mortgage, 1. McCaffrey v. Woodin, 65 N. Y. 552 ; Nestell v. Hewitt, 19 Abb. N, C. 459; Fitzgerald v. Atlanta Home Ins. 282. Co., 61 App. Div. 350, 70 N. Y. Supp. 40 Chattel Moetgages. including therein personal property, is deemed a chattel mortgage as to the personalty/ Sec. 2. Verbal Mortgage. At common law, a verbal mortgage of chattels was valid though the mortgagor retained possession of the mortgaged prop- erty, the retention of possession, however, being considered a badge of frand.^ As a mortgage is a sale (upon condition) it may be affected by the Statute of Prauds, if not in writing. An oral mortgage may also be affected by the statutes requiring the filing of mortgages.* But, in many instances, mortgages are effective though not filed, and a mortgage of property worth less than $50 is not avoided by the Statute of Frauds." Even where vthe value of the property exceeds $50, if the mortgagee takes pos- session of the property, both the Statute of Frauds and the requirement of filing are satisfied and a verbal mortgage, under such circumstances is valid." Where a tenant agreed by parol, with his lessor, that he would turn out hay and grain to secure the payment of the rent reserved in the lease, if the lessor was afraid that she would not get her pay; the value of the property being over $50, and nothing being paid, and no receipt or credit actually given, or possession delivered, it was held that the transaction rested in words merely, and no title to such property passed to the lessor.' A mortgagee of chattels cannot obtain a lien upon other similar chattels, as against a subsequent purchaser thereof, through a verbal agreement between himself and his mortgagor to consider them substituted in the place of those described in the mortgage.* 2. Fitzgerald v. Atlanta Home Ina. Carbondale, etc., R. Co., 149 N. Y. Co., 61 App. Div. 350, 70 N. Y. Supp. 86. 552; holding that such an instru- 6. Bank of Rochester v. Jones, 4 ment is a chattel mortgage within the N. Y. 497; Bardwell v. Roberts, 66 meaning of that term as used in New Barb. 433. See also Ackley v. Finch, York standard fire insurance policy. 7 Cow. 290; Ferguson v. Union Fur- 3. Terwilliger v. Ontario, Carbon- nace Co., 9 Wend. 345. dale, etc., R. Co., 149 N. Y. 86. 7. Buskirk v. Cleveland, 41 Barb. 4. Ceas v Bramley, 18 Hun 187. 610. 5. Bank of Rochester v. Jones, 4 8. Powers v. Freeman, 2 Lans. N. Y. 497; Terwilliger v. Ontario, 127. FoEM AND Validity. 41 Sec. 3. Parties. a. In Oeneral. — All parties who are legally competent to make other valid contracts may make chattel mortgages. It is usual in a chattel mortgage to describe the parties hy name and residence. The place of residence of the mortgagor controls the place of filing the mortgage, but the recital in the mortgage of his residence is of no importance. His correct resi- dence may be shown when the filing of the mortgage is ques- tioned.* The insertion in the body of a chattel mortgage, through the mistake of the scrivener, of the name of one person, as mortgagee, instead of another, as was intended by the parties, does not affect the validity of the mortgage as between the mortgagor and the person actually intended.^" b. Infants. — A chattel mortgage executed by an infant upon personal property owned by him is voidable, not void. He may, at his option, avoid the same at any time before he becomes of age or within a reasonable time thereafter. This result is accom- plished by any act which manifests such a purpose, such as an unconditional sale and delivery of the property to a third per- son.^^ Thus, where an infant executes a chattel mortgage upon a chattel owned by him and on the same day sells and delivers the property to a purchaser, the title of the purchaser is superior to that of the mortgagee, unless the sale is also avoided by the infant." c. Partnership. — One of two or more partners may, in the absence of fraud, execute a chattel mortgage upon firm property for the payment of a firm debt.^^ But it seems that a mort- 9. Chandler v. Bunn, Hill & D. Transfer of Firm Property. — In Supp. 167. the absence of fraud, one member of 10. Croft V. Brandow, 61 App. Div. a firm may, notwithstanding the pro- 247, 70 N. Y. Supp. 364. test of his partner, transfer all the 11. Chapin v. Shafer, 49 N. Y. property of the partnership, in con- 407. sideration of the promise of the pur- 12. Chapin v. Shafer, 49 N. Y. chaser to pay its debts, though not 407. yet due. Graser v. Stellwagen, 25 13. Mablett v. White, 13 N. Y. 454; N. Y. 315. Schwarzscheld & S. Co. v. Matthews, Subsequent Ratification. — Where 39 App. Div. 477, 57 N. Y. Supp. 338 ; one partner executes a chattel mort- McClelland v. Remsen, 3 Abb. Dee, gage of partnership property and th& 74, 5 Abb. Pr., N. S., 250. other subsequently ratifies the mort- 42 Chattel Moktgages. gage given by one partner after dissolution does not transfer tLe legal title to the firm property.^* Where a mortgage is given by a partnership to secure future ■advances, it does not secure advances made after the dissolution of the partnership to the successors thereof. ^^ d. Joint Owners of Property. — One of two or more joint owners of personal property may mortgage his interest therein without the consent, concurrence or knowledge of the other.^* Where the mortgagee of the interest of one tenant in common causes the whole chattel to be sold by virtue of his mortgage, one who purchases and takes possession of the chattel at such sale, with notice of the rights of the other tenant in common thereof, is liable to the latter for the conversion of his interest therein. ^^ e. Joint Mortgagees. — Upon default in a chattel mortgage ^iven to several mortgagees to secure the payment of several debts, the mortgagees become tenants in common of the property. One of such tenants has no right to sell the entire property.^* Where the joint mortgagees are not partners, one cannot make any agreement with the mortgagor which will affect the rights of the other. Thus, an arrangement between the mortgagor and one of the mortgagees that the mortgagor may retain possession after default in the payment of an installment does not preclude the other mortgagee from tating possession of the property under the danger clause.^' Where a chattel mortgage appears by its terms to have been given as security to a second indorser of notes, it may be shown by parol that it was intended as security for all the indorsers on the notes and, upon such proof being made, it can be enforced by another indorser.^" Sec. 4. Corporate Mortgages. a. Statute. — Section 6 of the Stock Corporation Law pro- vides for mortgages given by stock corporations. Such statute gage, the latter cannot claim that it 16. Harris v. Wessels, 5 Hun 645. -was not effectual to transfer the legal 17. Van Doren v. Baity, 11 Hun title to the property scheduled. Ken- 239. nedy v. National Union Bank of 18. Tyler v. Taylor, 8 Barb. 585. Watertown, 23 Hun 494. 19. Hanrahan v. Roche, 22 Alb. L. 14. Husted V. Ingraham, 75 N. Y. J. 134. 251. 20. Bainbridge v. Richmond, 17 Hun 15. Monnot v. Ibert, 33 Barb. 34. 391, aff'd, 78 N. Y. 618, mem. FoEM AND Validity. 43 applies to chattel as well as real estate mortgages.^^ Its pro- visions are as follows : " In addition to the powers conferred hy the general corporation law, every stock corporation shall have the power to borrow money and contract debts, when neces- sary for the transaction of its business, or for the exercise of its corporate rights, privileges or franchises, or for any other lawful purpose of its incorporation; and it may issue and dispose of its obligations for any amount so borrowed, and may mortgage its property and franchises to secure the payment of such obligations, or of any debt contracted for said purposes. Every such mort- gage, except purchase-money mortgages and mortgages authorized by contracts made prior to May first, eighteen hundred and ninety-one, shall be consented to by the holders of not less than two-thirds of the capital stock of the corporation, which consent shall be given either in vsrriting or by vote at a special meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose, upon the same notice as that required for the annual meetings of the corporation; and a certificate under the seal of the corporation that such con- sent was given by the stockholders in writing, or that it was given by vote at a meeting as aforesaid, shall be subscribed and acknowl- edged by the president or a vice-president and by the secretary or an assistant secretary, of the corporation, and shall be filed and recorded in the office of the clerk or register of the county wherein the corporation has its principal place of business. When authorized by like consent, the directors under such regulations as they may adopt, may confer on the holder of any debt or obli- gation, whether secured or unsecured, evidenced by bonds of the corporation, the right to convert the principal thereof, after two and not more than twelve years from the date of such bonds, into stock of the corporation; and if the capital stock shall not be sufficient to meet the conversion when made, the directors shall from time to time, authorize an increase of capital stock sufficient for that purpose by causing to be filed in the office of the secretary of state, and a duplicate thereof in the office of the clerk of the county where the principal place of business of the corporation shall be located, a certificate under the seal of the corporation, 21. New York Security & Trust Co. v. Saratoga Gas & Light Co., 88 Hua 569, 34 N. Y. Supp. 890. 44 Chattel Mortgages. subscribed and acknowledged by the president and secretary of the corporation setting forth, 1. A copy of such mortgage; or resolution, of directors author- izing the issue of such bonds; 2. That the holders 6f not less than two-thirds of the capital stock of the corporation duly consented to the execution of such mortgage or resolution of directors authorizing the issue of such bonds by such corporation; 3. A copy of the resolution of the directors of the corporation authorizing the increase of the capital stock of the corporation necessary for the purpose of such conversion; 4. The amount of capital theretofore authorized, the propor- tion thereof actually issued and the amount of the increased capital stock. If the corporation be a railroad corporation the certificate shall have indorsed thereon the approval of the public service commis- sion having jurisdiction thereof. When the certificate hereiu provided for has been filed, the capital stock of such corporation shall be increased to the amount specified in such certificate."' b. Consents. — A consent to mortgage the real and personal property of a stock corporation does not authorize a mortgage of its corporate franchise. Where, however, the realty and per- sonalty of a corporation are mortgaged, together with its fran- chise, though consent has not been procured as to the franchise, :the mortgage will be deemed valid as to the real and personal property as to which the consent was given, but inoperative as to the mortgage of the franchise.^'^ The consent of stockholders is not required for a purchase money mortgage.^' c. Who May Attack for Failure to Comply with Statute. — A mortgage upon corporate chattels, not executed in conformity with section 6 of the Stock Corporation Law, is invalid.^* This section seems to have been enacted primarily for the benefit of the stockholders.^' But in order to take advantage of the invalid- 22. Lord v. Yonkers Fuel Gas Co., Stable Co., 140 App. Div. 495, 125 99 N. y. 551. N. Y. Supp. 410. 23. Clement v. Congress Hall, 73 25. See In re New York Economical Misc. 519, 132 N. Y. Supp. 16. Printing Co., 110 Fed. 514. 24. London Bealty Co. v. Coleman FoEM ASTD Validity. 4S ity of the mortgage it is not necessary that the objection should he raised by a stockholder or creditor ; the defense is available to the corporation itself. The corporation is not estopped from asserting the defense on the theory that it cannot take advantage of its own wrong, or because it did not offer to return the con- sideration for the mortgage, where it does not appear that any consideration whatever was received by it.^° A general creditor of the corporation cannot attack a chattel mortgage executed by it on the ground that it was not executed as required by the stat- ute.^' Where a mortgagee of a joint stock association sued to recover the mortgaged chattels from a third person, it was held that the defendant could not defend on the ground that the con- sent of two-thirds of the stockholders had not been obtained, where the defendant did not claim to be a judgment creditor or a subsequent purchaser or mortgagee in good faith.^* d. Corporate Mortgage Operating as Preference. — A domestic stock corporation which is insolvent is prohibited by statute from executing a mortgage with intent thereby to give a preference.^* This statute applies to domestic, not to foreign corporations.^" e. Mortgage hy Railroad. — Subject to certain limitations and requirements, every railroad corporation has power, " From time "to time to borrow such sums of money as may be necessary for completing and finishing or operating or improving its railroad, or for any other of its lavyful purposes and to issue and dispose of its bonds for any amount so borrowed, and to mortgage its property and franchises to secure the payment of any debts con- tracted by the company for the purposes aforesaid, notwithstand- ing any limitation on such power contained in any general or special law. But no mortgage, except purchase-money mortgages, shall be issued by any railroad corporation under this chapter or any other law without the consent of the public service com- mission, and the consent of the stockholders owning at least 2G. London Realty Co. v. Coleman 27. Glover v. Ehrlich, 63 Misc. 245, Stable Co., 140 App. Div. 495, 125 114 N. Y. Supp. 992. N. Y. Supp. 410. But see State Bank 28. Nelson v. Drake, 14 Hun of Williamson v. Fish, 120 N. Y. 465. Supp. 365, holding that where no. 29. Stock Corporation Law, § 66. stockholder objects, a trustee in bank- 30. Coats v. Donnell, 94 N. Y. ruptcy cannot. 168. 46 Chattel Moetgages. two-thirds of t\e stock of the corporation, which consent shall b& in writing, and shall be given and certified and be filed and recorded in the office of the clerk or register of the county where it has its principal place of business, as provided in section six of the stock corporation law; or else the consent of the public service commission and the consent by their votes of stockholders owning at least two-thirds of the stock of the corporation which is represented and voted upon in person or by proxy at a meeting called for that purpose upon a notice stating the time, place and object of the meeting, served at least three weeks previously upon each stockholder personally, or mailed to him at his post-office address, and also published at least once a week for three weeks successively in some newspaper printed in the city, town or county where such corporation has its principal office, and a cer- tificate of the vote at such meeting shall be signed and sworn to and shall be filed and recorded as provided by section six of the stock corporation law. When authorized by the stockholders' consent to any bonds made or issued under this section, the direct- ors, under such regulations as they may adopt, may confer on the holder of any such bonds the right to convert the principal thereof, after two and not more than twelve years from the date of the bond, into stock of the corporation at a price fixed by the board of directors, which may be either par or a price not less than the market value thereof at the date of such consent to such bonds; and if the capital stock shall not be sufficient to meet the conversion when made, the board of directors shall authorize an increase of capital stock sufficient for that purpose." ^^ A mortgage given under this statute covers after-acquired property.^^ Though a railroad company may have exceeded its powers in purchasing canal boats, it cannot defeat the title of its mortgagee, on the ground that the purchase was ultra vires; nor can the mortgagee, who has sold the boats under the mortgage, excuse himself from crediting the proceeds, on that ground.^* 31. Railroad Law, § 8, subd. 10. 32. Piatt V. New York & Sea Beach The rolling stock of a railroad may R. Co., 9 App. Div. 87, 41 N. Y. Supp. be the subject of a chattel mortgage. 42. See also supra, the subdivision See infra, the subdivision Rolling After-acqmred Property, p. 28. Stock, p. 37. 33. Parish v. Wheeler, 23 N. Y. 494. FoEM AND Validity. 47 f. Filing of Corporate Mortgage. — The requirements for the filing and refiling of certain corporate mortgages are in many respects different from those relating to mortgages executed by individuals. The questions relating to the filing and refiling of Buch mortgages are discussed in other chapters.** Sec. 5. Debt. a. In General. — The debt secured by a chattel mortgage is the principal subject of the transaction; the mortgage is but an incident thereto deriving its whole legal effect from the exist- ence of the debt.*' While there must be some consideration for a chattel mortgage,** it is not essential that a debt exist indepen- dently of the mortgage. The parties may confine the remedy of the mortgagee strictly to the mortgage.*^ The debt may be owed by one person and the mortgage be given by another.** A chattel mortgage need not be given for a definite sum, but may merely secure the indebtedness of a third person " now owing." *° A recital in a mortgage of the existence of a debt is prima facie evidence thereof, and this is so although the mortgage is not properly renewed.*" b. Future Advances. — A mortgage given to secure future advances is not fraudulent or void.*"^ It is valid though not 34. See infra, the chapters Filing, and the members of a labor union a p. 58, and Refiling, p. 91. chattel mortgage was given to a third 35. Thompson v. Van Veehten, 37 party to secure a, certain sum fixed N. Y. 568. as liquidated damages for a breach 36. See Look v. Comstoek, 15 Wend. of the contract, such third party can- 244. not enforce the chattel mortgage as it Prior Mortgage Sufficient Consid- was without consideration as to him. eration. — Where a first mortgage Flannell v. O'Brien, 43 App. Div. 534, contains a provision that if it shall 60 N. Y. Supp. 101. prove ineffectual for the purposes in- 37. Matthews ». Sheehan, 69 N. Y. tended, a second shall be executed in 585 ; Blake v. Corbett, 120 N. Y. 327. its place, the consideration of the See infra, the subdivision Action to first is sufBcient to support a second Recover Debt, p. 146. made in pursuance of such provision. 38. Blake v. Corbett, 120 N. Y. 337. Hinks V. Field, 14 N. Y. Supp. 247, 39. Blake v. Corbett, 120 N. Y. 337. 37 St. Rep. 724, aff'A, 129 N. Y. 633, 40. Kane v. Stark, 15 Week. Dig. mem. 509. No Consideration. ^ Where, pursu- 41. Brown v. Guthrie, 110 N. Y. ant to a contract between an employer 435. 48 Chattel Moetgages. operative, as a general rule, until the advances are made. In the meantime, the property is exposed to the claims of third parties.*'' Frequently mortgages are given to secure both a present indebtedness and advances to be subsequently made. Such a mortgage is not fraudulent and may be enforced for the amount actually due.** When free from fraud, it is valid, not only as between the parties, but as against creditors and other third parties.** But is valid only to the extent of advances made in good faith before a creditor or other third party acquires a sub- sequent title to or lien upon the property.*^ It has been held that a mortgage for future advances or liabilities will cover such only to the amount specified in the mortgage.*' It is not necessary, however, that any amount be specified in such a mortgs(ge.*^ Parol evidence is admissible to show the purpose and intent with which a chattel mortgage was executed, and, though, upon its face, it appears to be for the payment of a specified sum of money, it may be shown that its purpose was security for future advances or liabilities.** Thus, where the consideration stated in a mortgage was a present absolute indebtedness of $1,000, and no such indebtedness existed, the mortgage was sustained, as against creditors of the mortgagor, by showing that the considera- tion of the mortgage was the indorsement by the mortgagee of the mortgagor's note for $1,000 for the accommodation of the latter, and, upon his failure to raise money thereon, two notes 42. Brown v. Guthrie, 110 N. Y. 435. 43. Miller v. Lockwood, 32 N. Y. Existence of Liability. — To give a 293; Westcott v. Gunn, 4 Duei 107; chattel mortgage for future advances Fairbanks V. Bloomfield, 5 Duel. 434; a lien on the property as against a Carpenter v. Blate, 1 E. D. Smith hona fide purchaser or one holding the 491 ; Walker v. Snediker, Hoff. Ch. position of a judgment creditor, proof 145 ; Hendricks v. Robinson, 2 Johns, of the existence of an outstanding Ch. 283. See also Burrit v. Sheffer, 13 liability of the kind mentioned in the N. Y. Supp. 849, 37 St. Eep. 591. condition is necessary. Marsh V. 44i Brown v. Kiefer, 71 N. Y. Kinney, 11 Week. Dig. 144. 610. Advances Made to Successors of 45. Carpenter v. Blate, 1 E. D. Firm. — Where a mortgage is given Smith 491. See also Craig ». Tappin, by a partnership to secure future 2 Sandf. Ch. 78. advances, it cannot be made effectual 46. Monnot V. Ibert, 33 Barb. 24. to protect advances made or liabilities 47. Miller v. Lockwood, 32 N. Y. incurred for their successors, after a 293. dissolution of the firm. Monnot V. 48. McKinster v. Babeock, 26 N. Y. Ibert, 33 Barb. 24. , 378. FoEM AND Validity. 4{) for $500 were substituted which the mortgagee also indorsed, and by showing that the purpose of the mortgage was to secure any substituted liabilities.** c. Inaccurate Statement of Debt. — A mortgage is not neces- sarily fraudulent and void because the indebtedness is over- stated. The mortgage is good for the amount actually due unless there is actual fraud in the transaction.^" But it is always advisable to state fairly and plainly the true consideration of the mortgage, for a failure to do so renders the mortgage open to suspicion.^^ If the parties are guilty of fraud the mortgage is not valid, even to the extent of the just indebtedness.**^ This question of fraud is further treated in another place in the work in connection with the discussion of fraudulent mortgages.^' d. Parol Evidence to Explain. — Between the parties to a chattel mortgage, it generally cannot be varied or contradicted by parol evidence. If a mistake has been made in the mortgage as to the indebtedness of the mortgagor, the remedy is a reformation in a court of equity. °* Parol evidence is admissible, in some cases, as where the mortgage is ambiguous.^'* The admissibility of parol evidence to show that a chattel mortgage was given to secure future advances is discussed in another section."' Sec. 6. Description of Property. a. In General. — Considerable care must be observed in cor- rectly describing the chattels covered by the mortgage. Only Earlier Cases. — In Divver v. Mc- 49. McKinster v. Babcock, 36 N. Y. Laughlin, 2 Wend. 596, it was held 378. that, where nothing appears in the 50. Miller v. Lockwood, 32 N. Y. mortgage to show that it was in- 293; Frost v. Warren, 42 N. Y. 204; tended as a security for advances to Marsden v. Cornell, 62 N. Y. 215. be made, the mortgage is no security 51. McKinster v. Babcock, 36 N. Y. for future advances made upon the 378. strength of a parol arrangement. In 52. Levy v. Hamilton, 68 App. Div. Walker v. Snediker, Hoff. Ch. 145, 277, 74 N. Y. Supp. 159. the court said : " It has been settled 53. See infra, the subdivision Ex- in equity by repeated decisions, that cessive Statement of Jndehtedness, a mortgage to secure future as well p. 121. as present responsibilities is good. 54. Patctin v. Pierce, 13 Wend. 61, But the better opinion, if not the de- 55. See Dodge v. Potter, 18 Barb, cided law, is, that the mortgage must 193; Ripley «. I^rmouth, 56 Barb. ., 1. • i Ti • J. • ii, i 21. See also Wait s Law and Practice express the object. It is certain that ^^^^ ^ ,_ ^^,_ ^ ^ ^^.^ Ohamber- it cannot be rendered available for layne's Modern Law of Evidence, future liabilities by a subsequent Sfi. See supra, the subdivision Fu- parol agreement." ture Advances, p. 47. 4 50 Chattel Moetgages. such property as is mentioned in the mortgage is transferred thereby. Property to he subsequently acquired or produced by the mortgagor will not be subject to the mortgage unless the mortgage refers to such property. **' Where a lease of a farm reserved to the landlord a lien on butter, cheese and grain to be produced, it was held that hay was not subject to the mortgage.^* Where a mortgage of a sugar refinery, and a chattel mortgage given at the same time, included all the machinery and effects therein but did not specifically include the sugars and syrups, it was held that the chattel mortgage did not cover such sugars and syrups.'' Where a mortgage was given on " the entire stock in trade of every name and nature, now in the store No. 379 Broad- way," it was held that the notes and debts due the mortgagors were not subject to the mortgage."" b. Indefinite. — As a general rule, the description will suffice if it enables third persons to identify the property when aided by the inquiries which the mortgage indicates.'^ Where a lease of a hotel contained a provision that the lessee mortgaged to the lessor all of his chattels upon the premises, " an inventory whereof is to be made and annexed," it was held that the security was good though no inventory was actually annexed to the instrument."^ Where a mortgage covered " all the drygoods, boots and shoes, millinery goods, and gentlemen's furnishing goods, and stock in trade, then in the store occupied by " the mortgagors, it was held that the description, though gen- 57. Van Vechten v. McKone, 69 58. Briggs v. Austin, 8 N. Y. Supp. Hun 510, 23 N. Y. Supp. 428. 786, 29 St. Rep. 245. Mortgage Not Covering After- 59. Thurber v. Minturn, 18 Week, acquired Property. — A chattel mort- Dig. 25. gage covering goods and fixtures 60. Kemp v. Cornley, 3 Duer 1. " herein extant in said shop No. 383 61. Van Vechten v. McKone, 69 Hun Lafayette street" does not cover 510, 23 N. Y. Supp. 428; Matthews ». after-acquired property. Ferraro v. Sniffen, 10 Daly 200. Stramello, 134 N. Y. Supp. 535. A description is sufficient as against Purchase Money Mortgage. — One strangers or creditors, if it gives who gives a purchase money mortgage notice of the property intended to be cannot defeat the lien on the ground conveyed. Dunning v. Stearns, 9 that he selected the chattels from Barb. 630. samples and that those delivered were 62. Van Hetiaen V. Eadcliff, 17 N. Y. not the chattels purchased. Wallace 580. V. Leoni, 104 N. Y. Supp. 392. FoKM AND Validity. 51 eral, could te rendered sufficiently definite by evidence of the facts as to the goods in the store at the time and that the mortgage ■would convey whatever, in fact, answered to the description."* Where a mortgage covered certain stone and the mortgagor's goods in his store, the description, after fully pointing out the stone mortgaged, proceeding: " and all other stones belonging to me, and all other goods and chattels, now in my store, &c., all in the town of Saugerties," it was held that it was sufficient to embrace all the goods of the mortgagor in the store at the time."* Where the property mortgaged was described as " — bushels of ashes now in the ashery in the possession of " the mortgagor, it was held that the mortgage was valid and that parol evidence was admissible to show the' quantity intended to be conveyed."' A chattel mortgage describing all the property of the mortgagor of certain kinds " now being and remaining " in his possession is sufficient."" The following description has been held sufficient: " The undivided one-half part of, in and to all of the fixtures, furniture and personal property located in or upon the premises, or now, or heretofore used in connection with the hotel known as Congress Hall, and the premises above described, which fixtures and personal property were owned by Clement and Cox in common." " On the other hand, it has been held that an instrument describ- ing the mortgaged property as " ten of my carriage horses now in my possession in my stable 163 and 165 West 132d St." does not sufficiently describe the property so as to be valid as against a creditor levying upon the same."' Where a mortgage covered " all personal property whatever " owned by the mort- gagors and " all growing crops of all kinds," it was held that the mortgage was too indefinite to cover rents of the premises."* Where a mortgage covered not only the scythes, iron, steel and coal then owned by the mortgagors, but also " all scythes, iron, steel and coal which may be purchased in lieu of the aforesaid 63. Conkling v. Shelley, 28 N. Y. 67. Clement v. Congress Hall, 72 360. Misc. 519, 132 N. Y. Supp. 16. 64. Russell v. Winne, 37 N. Y. 591. 68. McDonald v. City Trust, Safe 65. Dunning v. Stearns, 9 Barb. Deposit and Surety Co., 32 Misc. 644, 630. 66 N. Y. Supp. 475. 66. In re Beebe, 126 Fed. 853. 69. Riley v. Sexton, 33 Hun 245. 52 Chattel Moetgages. property," it was held that it was, as to property to be subse- quently acquired, void for uncertainty.'" Likewise, where a lease provided that the lessor should have a lien, as security for the rent, upon all the goods, wares, chattels, implements, fixtures, tools and other personal property which were or might be put on the demised premises it was held that it was void for uncertainty.'"' c. Schedule. — A mortgage and a schedule accompanying the same are to be read together,'^ though, it may be that, if there is an actual conflict between the body of the mortgage and an annexed schedule, the mortgage will control.'* Where a chattel mortgage described certain property as " all machinery, tools, implements, appliances and personal property, and all other goods and chattels mentioned in the schedule hereto annexed, and now in the buildings and on the premises situated in the town of Cornwall, county and State aforesaid," and the schedule, which contained a minute list of articles, stated that it was an " inventory of personal property mentioned and referred to in the annexed mortgage," it was held that the general words of the mortgage were to be limited and restricted to the articles mentioned in the schedule, and that the mortgage did not cover other articles which were in the buildings and premises referred to in the mortgage.'* A mortgage covering "all the glassware and other goods men- tioned in the schedules hereunto annexed," does not include glass- ware not mentioned in the schedule.'** d. Parol Evidence to Explain. — Where the description of the mortgaged chattels is ambiguous, parol evidence is sometimes admissible to identify the property intended to be covered by the mortgage.'" Thus, where a chattel mortgage described, among other property mortgaged, " one four-horse post coach called ' Steuben ' and another called ' Mayday ' at Hornellsville employed in staging," and it appeared that the mortgagor at the time the mortgage was executed, owned and possessed only two four-horse coaches, one called " Conhocton " and the other called " Mayday " and that there was no coach called " Steuben " at 70. Otis V. Sill, 8 Barb. 102. 74. Broadihead v. Smith, 55 Hun 71. Buskirk v. Cleveland, 41 Barb. 499, 8 N. Y. Supp. 760. 610. 74a. J. & M. Haffen Brewing Co., 72. Edgell V. Hart, 9 N. Y. 213; 78 Misc. 366, 138 N. Y. Supp. 436. Broadhead v. Smith, 55 Hun 499, 8 75. Galen v. Brown, 22 N. Y. 37 N. Y. Supp. 760. r-onkling v. Shelly, 28 N. Y. 360 73. Matthews v. SniflFen, 10 Daly Dunning v. Stearns, 9 Barb. 630 200. Dodge V. Potter, 18 Barb. 193. FoEM AND Validity. 53 Homellsville or employed there in staging, it was held that parol ovidence was admissible to show that the coach " Conhocton " was intended to be included in the mortgage instead of the " Steu- ben." ^° And where a mortgage described the property as 11,000 feet of pine lumber in a certain shop, and it appeared that there, was not over 2,000 feet of lumber in such shop at the time the mortgage was executed, it was held that parol evidence was admissible to show that other lumber owned by the mortgagor was intended to be covered by the mortgage.'^ Sec. 7. Validity of Mortgage. a. In General. — Many questions concerning the validity of mortgages are discussed in other places. Thus, the effect of a failure to file,'' or refile,'° a chattel mortgage, is discussed in separate chapters of this work. A chapter is also devoted to fraudulent mortgages.'" b. By What Law Determined. — As a general rule, a contract valid where executed and to be performed is valid everywhere, and a lien valid in the State where created is enforceable in all States where the property thereafter comes.'^ Thus, a mortgage upon railroad property executed in Connecticut by a Connecticut railroad company is valid if filed according to the Connecticut law and need not be filed in this State, though some of its prop- erty is here situated, where it is not shown that the mortgaged property was in this State at the time of the execution of the mortgage.'^ The validity of a mortgage on a vessel is to be governed by the law of the State where the vessel was registered, the mortgage made, and the parties resided.*' If the mortgagor temporarily takes the mortgaged property into another State, where it is seized and sold under an execution against the mort- gagor issued upon a judgment there recovered, in an action by the mortgagee against the constable for the conversion of the property^ the nature, construction, obligation and effect of the 76. Dodge v. Potter, 18 Barb. 193. 81. Nichols v. Mase, 25 Him 640, 77. Galen v. Brown, 22 N. Y. 37. aff'd, 94 N. Y. 160. 78. See infra, p. 58. 82. Nichols v. Mase, 94 N. Y. 160. 79. See infra, p. 91. 83. Watson v. Campbell, 38 N. Y. 80. See infra, p. 106. 153. ^i Chattel Mortgages. mortgage are to be determined by the law of this State.'* Where the mortgagor converted the mortgaged property after default and removed it to Canada, where it was sold under such circum- stances that by the Canadian law the purchaser acquired a good title, it was held that the transaction was governed by our law, and the mortgagor recovered against the purchaser. ''^ A chattel mortgage valid where executed and where it is to be performed, wiU not be deemed usurious because it offends the usury law of another State though the mortgaged property is in such State.** But where the law and policy of the State where the property is located have provided a different rule for its transfer, such rule is binding.*^ And where a creditor of the State where the prop- erty is located has levied upon property of his debtor, his rights will not be inferior to a chattel mortga'ge made and to be per- formed in another State, which is valid in such State, but invalid in the State where the property is located. °* Thus, where the owner of property who lived in E"ew York State executed a chat- tel mortgage upon property then located in Illinois, but within two days thereafter and before the mortgagee could cause the mortgage to be filed in Illinois, a creditor of the mortgagor attached the property and subsequently sold the same, it was held by the courts of this State, in an action by the mortgagee against the creditor for conversion, that the mortgagee could recover as the transaction was governed by the law of this State. But the Supreme Court of the United States held that this was error, that, as the attachment was valid by the law of Illinois, it was valid in this State, and that the transactions were to be governed by the law of Illinois.'® e. Usurious Mortgage. — A chattel mortgage to secure a usuri- ous loan is void.®" If the mortgagee takes the goods under the 84. Martin v. Hill, 13 Barb. 631. ' . 89. Green v. Van Buskirk, 74 U. S. 85. Edgerly v. Bush, 81 N. Y. 199j ' 139. irev'g 16 Hun 80. 90. Leslie v. Hoffman, 1 Edm. Sel. 86. Whitman v. Conner, 8 J. & S. Cas. 475. 339. Transaction Held Usurious. — 87. Keller v. Paine, 107 N. Y. 83. Where, in an action upon certain 88. Pearing V. McKinnon Dash & notes, it appeared that the plaintiff "Hdwe. Co., 165 N. Y. 78; Greene v. had agreed to lend one Green money TanBuskirk, 74 U. S. 139. See also at 10 per cent, interest on his giving Whitman v. Conner, 8 J. & S. 339. to the plaintiff the defendant's note FOEM AND VaLIDITT. 55 mortgage, the mortgagor can recover the same or tkeir value.®^ If the mortgagee proceeds to foreclose the usurious mortgage, an injunction will lie for the restraint thereof.*^ While the defense of usury is personal, in that a mere stranger cannot attack the mortgage upon that ground,'* any person hav- ing a lien upon the property may assert the invalidity."* An execution creditor of the mortgagor may assail the mortgage for usury.°^ In an action by a mortgagee against a sheriif for the conversion of the goods, the sheriff may show the usurious charac- ter of the transaction."' But the mortgagor, after selling the property to a third person, cannot sustain an action to cancel the mortgage and the notes secured thereby and to enjoin a sale in enforcement thereof, on the ground of usury ; nor can a purchaser ,of the property expressly subject to the mortgage avoid the mort- gage on such ground.®^ d. Mortgage to Compound Crime. — A chattel mortgage is void where it is given and received in compromise of a felony. And where persons knowingly advance means to aid the accused to compromise the offense, and are present and assist in the nego- tiation, a mortgage taken by them based upon such consideration is void. But where the assignee of such a mortgage takes the XQortgaged property, and the mortgagors are not connected there- Tvith, they are not liable."' e. Delivery of mortgage. — A mortgage ias no validity until a delivery thereof is made.'^^ If the attorney for creditors receives for the amount, and G-reen then ex- acting as the agent of the original changed notes with the defendant mortgagee, seized the mortgaged prop- .... 1, i.i 1 i «rty together with property not in- giving him a chattel mortgage as ^,„^^^ f^ ^j^ mortgage Burghen v. security and borrowed the money Purdy, 27 App. Div. 460, 50 N. Y. from the plaintiff at 10 per cent, in- Supp. 546. terest on the security of the defend- 92. Kaufman v. Schwartz, 174 App. ,, , .. , / ., , ,,.„ , „ „ Div. 339, 160 N. y. Supp. 1056; Ehr- ant'8 note, it was held that the trans- ^^^^ ^ Forgotston, 17 N. Y. Supp. action was usurious. Blodgett v. 331^ 43 gt_ jj^p^ go. Wadhams, Hill & D. Supp. 65. 93. Cavan v. Kelly, 3 Alb. L. J. 373. 91. Ackley v. Finch, 7 Cow. 390; 94. Thompson v. Van Veehten, 27 Leslie V. HoflFma.n,, 1 Bdm. Sel. Cas. '^■^■^^^- ^ „ .„ ., . .__ 95. Cavan v. Kelly, 3 Alb. L. J. 373. ■*^^- , 96. Dix V. Van Wyck, 2 Hill 523. The mortgagee is liable to the mort- 97. James v. Oakley, 1 Abb. Pr. 324. gagor for the conversion of the prop- 98. Fellows v. Van Hysing, 23 How. erty where he pretended to assign ^\i^^i^ „. ^ ^0 Misc. 624, 153 the mortgage to a third party who, jj y. Supp. 913. 56 Chattel Moetgages. a mortgage from their debtor, without the knowledge or assent of the creditors, the latter may ratify the transaction by subse- quent assent and enforce the mortgage. Where a debtor makes at the same time several mortgages upon the same chattels ta secure several creditors, the refusal of one of the creditors to accept it does not impair the validity of the mortgages accepted by the other creditors."' f. Alteration of Mortgage. — A material alteration in a chattel mortgage may have the effect of rendering it unenforceable by the mortgagee. But the fact that an alteration was made in a chattel mortgage after its execution and delivery will not divest the title of an innocent purchaser acquired under the instrument as made.-'^*"' And, where one about to purchase a piano executed a mortgage thereon for a part of the purchase price before he selected the instrument, it was held that the insertion in the mortgage of the number of the piano selected was not a material alteration of the contract which would deprive the mortgagee of the power to enforce it, but that in leaving the number blank at the time of executing the instrument, the mortgagor was deemed to authorize the mortgagee to fill in the number of the piano selected.-'^'"'^ g. Confusion of Goods. — A mortgagee does not lose his title to the mortgaged property on account of a mixing thereof with similar goods by the mortgagor, where he does not consent to the confusion. ^"^ And the fact that a mortgagor, with the knowledge and permission of the mortgagee, mixes articles covered by the mortgage with subsequently-acquired property, so that some of the articles covered by the mortgage cannot be distinguished from those subsequently acquired, does not render the mortgage invalid as to such of the articles covered by it as can be identified and distinguished.-'^*'^ 99. Brown V. Piatt, 8 Boaw. 324. 101. Dunning v. Stearns, 9 Barb. 100. Steam's v. Oberle, 47 Misc. 630. 349, 94 N. Y. Supp. 37. 102. Caring V. Richmond, 28 Hun 100a. Bloomingdale v. McKee, 97 25. JUisc. 660, 162 N. Y. Supp. 286. Chattel Moetgages. 5T CHAPTER V, FILING. Beo. 1. Statute. a. In General. b. Mortgages on Canal Boats. c. Purpose of Statute. d. Construction of Statute. 8. Necessity of Filing. a. In General. ■b. Instruments Not Operating as Mortgage. c. Property Not " Goods and Chattels." d. Mortgage of Real and Personal Property. e. Corporate Mortgages. 3. Change of Possession in Lieu of Filing. a. In General. b. Constructive Possession. c. Symbolic Possession. d. Delivery of Part of Mortgaged Chattels. '4- Time of Filing. a. In General. b. Priority of Mortgages Filed at Same Time. 5. Place of Filing. a. Statute. b. Construction of Statute. c. Effect of Erroneous Statement of Biesidence. d. Partnership Mortgage. e. Mortgage by Joint Stock Association. f. Mortgage of Vessel. g. Mortgage of Canal Boat. h. Mortgage of Liquor Tax Certificate. 6. Filing of Portion of Contract. 7. The Acts of Filing and Entry. a. Statute. b. Absence of Officer. c. Vacancy in Office. d. Omission of Officer. 8. Payment of Fees. 9. Removal of Mortgage. 10. Effect of Failure to File. a. As to Third Parties. b. As Betvreen the Parties. 11. Who May Attack Mortgage for Failure to File. a. In General. b. Creditor in General. c. Creditor with Invalid Execution. d. Creditor with Knowledge of Mortgage. e. Purchaser or Mortgagee. f . Purchaser or Mortgagee from Third Party. g. Purchaser or Mortgagee with Notice of Unfiled Mortgage, h. Purchaser or Mortgagee on Account of Preoedtent Debt. i. Purchaser at Judicial Sale. j. Assignee of Subsequent Mortgagee. k. Subsequent Lienors. 1. Assignee for Creditors. m. Receiver in Supplementary Proceedings. n. Receiver of Corporation. o. Trustee or Receiver in Bankruptcy. 58 Chattel Mortgages. 12. Effect of Transfer of Chattels. a. To Mortgagee. b. To Bona Fide Purchaser. e. To Assignee for Creditors. Sec. 1. Statute. a. In General. — ^Article X of the Lien Law contains the statutory enactments relative to the filing of chattel mortgages. Section 230 of said law provides as follows: " Every mortgage or conveyance intended to operate as a mort- gage of goods and chattels or of any canal boat, steam-tug, scow or other craft, or the appurtenances thereto, navigating the canals of the state, which is not accompanied by an immediate delivery, and followed by an actual and continued change of possession of the things mortgaged, is absolutely void as against the creditors of the mortgagor, and as against subsequent purchasers and mort- gagees in good faith, unless the mortgage, or a true copy thereof, is filed as directed in this article. This article shall not apply to agreements creating liens upon merchandise or the proceeds thereof for the purpose of securing the repayment of loans or advances made or to be mad© upon the security of said merchandise and the payment of commissions or other charges provided for by such agreement, where the conditions specified in section forty-five of the personal property law are complied with, nor shall this article apply to the mortgage or pledge of or lien upon stocks or bonds mortgaged or pledged to secure payment of a loan, which stocks or bonds, by the terms of a written instrument creating such mort- gage, pledge or lien and setting forth the conditions of such loan, are to be delivered to the lender on the day such loan is made, and every such mortgage, pledge or lien of such securities, shall be valid as against creditors of such mortgagor or pledgor, provided, how- ever, that if such securities are not delivered to the pledgee or mortgagee on the day such loan is made, the mortgage, lien or pledge therein intended to be created shall be absolutely void and of no effect as against the creditors of such mortgagor, pledgor or lienor unless such instrument, or a true copy thereof, is filed as directed in this article, on the day following the making of such loan, and provided also that every such mortgage, pledge or lieni shall be absolutely void as against purchasers, pledgees or mort- gagees in good faith of such stocks or bonds provided such stocks or bonds are delivered to such purchaser, pledgee, or mortgagee at the time of such purchase, pledge or mortgage." b. Mortgages on Canal Boats.— 'ihe Lien Law contains an additional provision relative to the filing of chattel mortgages oa canal boats. This provides as follows : " Every mortgage upon. FiLi^ro. 59 a canal boat or other craft navigating the canals of this State, filed as provided in this article, shall be valid as against the creditors of the mortgagor and against subsequent purchasers or mortgagees in good faith, as long as the debt which the mortgage secures is enforceable. From the time of such filing, every such mortgage shall have preference and priority over all other claims and liens, not existing at the time of such filing." ^ c. Purpose of Statute, — The object of the statute requiring mortgages of personal property to be filed is to prevent imposition upon subsequent purchasers and mortgagees. While the chattels mortgaged remain in the hands of the mortgagor, persons dealing ■with him respecting them are led to believe that he is the owner, and may thus be defrauded, or at least disappointed.^ Upon several occasions, the purpose of the statute has been stated by the courts in other language.* 1. Lien Law, § 236. 2. Meech v. Patchin, 14 N. Y. 71; Gregory V. Thomas, 20 Wend. 17. 3. To Protect Creditors. — The ob- ject of the statute requiring the fil- ing of chattel mortgages is to pro- tect creditors against the misleading effect of the goods remaining in the possession and control of the debtor after they have been secretly trans- ferred to another person. Vreeland V. Pratt, 42 St. Eep. 582, 17 N. Y. Supp. 307. See also Commercial Bank of Rochester v. Davy, 81 Hun 200, 30 N. Y. Supp. 718. It was the plain purpose of the statute to require publicity to be given to chattel mortgages for the protection of the claims of persons mentioned therein. It is undoubt- edly true that one and perhaps the most important purpose of the act was to protect persons giving credit to the mortgagor in ignorance of the existence of a mortgage upon his property. But the legislative policy was broader than this single pur- pose. Karst V. Gane, 136 N. Y. 321. Secret Transfers. — It was not the design of the statute to annul securi- ties for honest debts, but to defeat secret and colorable transfers, by re- quiring all instruments in the nature of chattel mortgages to be made mat- ters of public record. The purpose of the act was not prohibitory but remedial. Frost v. Mott, 34 N. Y. 253. To Give Public Notice of the Lien. — The object of the original filing of the mortgage is to give public notice of the lien, thereby aflfixing to the property mortgaged, as it were, an ear-mark, indicating to all persons who would purchase it the existence of the lien ; and this, not only while remaining in the hands of the mort- gagor, but in whose hands soever it may be. Dillingham v. Bolt, 37 N. Y. 198. Chattel mortgages were recognized at common law and the statute only intervenes to declare that such secur- ity shall not be good, as against sub- sequent purchasers and mortgagees in good faith, unless the mortgage or a true copy thereof is filed. Baumann V. Post, 26 Abb. N. C. 134, 16 Daly • 385, 12 N. Y. Supp. 213. 60 Chattel Mobtgages. d. Construction of Statute. — In order to maintain the validity of a chattel mortgage as against creditors and subsequent pur- chasers and mortgagees in good faith, there must be a strict and rigid observance of the statutory requirements.* If not properly filed, the mortgage is void as to such persons without any reference to fraud or good faith on the part of the mortgagee." But when filed, it is good as against a iona fide purchaser who searches for but fails to find the mortgage." Sec. 2. Necessity of Filing. a. In General. — All mortgages of goods and chattels are re- quired to be filed except where the mortgagee takes possession of the mortgaged property.' The statute goes further; it requires not only the filing of mortgages, but also the filing of a " con- veyance intended to operate as a mortgage of goods and chattels." This requirement is without any modification or qualification arising out of the nature or condition of the property, such as its bulk, difficulty or even impossibility of a change of possession by removal or otherwise, or any other like consideration or excuse. In these cases, though it affords a plausible reason for omitting t» accompany the mortgage with an actual change of possession, it affords no excuse for a failure to file the mortgage.' b. Instruments Not Operating as Mortgage. — The distinction between chattel mortgages and other instruments has already been treated, and the necessity of filing such other instruments dis- cussed to a certain extent.' An absolute bill of sale need not be- filed,'" unless the transfer was intended to operate as a mortgage.'* A pledge of chattels is not required to be filed.'" A provision in 4. Industrial Loan Assoc, v. Saul, 10. Preston v. Southwick, 115 N Y.^ 34 Misc. 188, 68 N. Y. Supp. 837. 139. 5. Niagara County Bank v. Lord, 11. Preston v. Southwick, 115 N. 33 Hun 557. Y. 139; Sheldon v. McFee, 216 N. Y. 6. Kribbs. v. Alford, 130 N. Y. SIS'. 618 ; Tyler v. Strang, 31 Barb. 198. 7. See infra, the subdivision Chamge Filing of Bill of Sale Alone. — If a of Possession im Lieu, of, p. 63. mortgage is in the form of a bill of Necessity for Filing. — See note to sale with a separate defeasance, the N. Y. Reports, Bender Ed., Book S5, filing of the bill of sale alone is suf- p. 773. ficient to satisfy the statute. Pres- 8. Roy V. Birdseye, 5 Denio 619. ton v. Southwick, 115 N. Y. 139. 9. See supra, the chapter Distin- 12. Haskins v. Kelly, 1 Abb. Pr., pimhed from Other Contracts, p. 6. N. S., 63, 1 Rob. 160. Filing. 61 a lease reserving a lien on property to be grown or placed on the premises by the tenant, frequently operates as a chattel mortgage, and the lease must be filed.^' An agreement contained in a lease of real property that, in case the lease shall be terminated before a certain date, the erections placed upon the leased land shall become the property of the lessor, does not partake of the character of a chattel mortgage and need not be filed as such, even though it operates upon personal property.^* A lease of chattels for a specified rent vrith an agreement that if the lessee should punctu- ally pay the rent for a certain number of months the lessor would give a bill of sale thereof to the lessee need not be filed as a chattel mortgage.^' c. Property Not " Goods and Chattels." — Only instruments affecting " goods and chattels " are required to be filed.^' Thus a mortgage of a chose in action, such as a liquor tax certificate,^^ a lease of real estate,^' or a mortgage,^® is not affected by the statute. Heal estate purchased for partnership purposes is per- sonal property but a mortgage thereon executed by one partner is not a mortgage on " goods and chattels." "" A mortgage upon the contingent interest of an attorney in a litigation need not be filed to preserve its validity.^^ An agreement to give a mortgage upon a vested interest in personal property, not reducible to possession until the death of a third person, need not be filed as a chattel mortgage for the statute 13. See supra, the subdivision property and chattels." Niles v. Lease Reserving Lien, p. 21. Mathusa, 162 N. Y. 546. 14. Niagara Fa,lls, etc., Co. v. 17. Niles c. Mathusa, 162 N.Y. 546. Schermerhorn, 132 App. Div. 442, 18. Booth V. Kehoe, 71 N. Y. 341. 117 N. Y. Supp. 10. Leasehold Interests. — A chattel 15. Neidig v. Eifler„ 18 Abb. Pr. mortgage covering a lease for ten 353. Such an instrument is a con- years need not be filed. The words ditional sale and should be filed as " goods and chattels " do not cover such. See infra, Conditional Sales leasehold interests. State Trust Co. — Filing, p. 221. V. Casino Co., 19 App. Biv. 344, 46 16. Chester v. Jumel, 5 N. Y. Supp. N. Y. Supp. 492. S09, rev'd on other grounds, 125 19. Harrison 7;. Burlingame, 48 Hun N. Y. 237. 212; Baxter v. Gilbert, 12 Abb. Pr. 97. " The drafter of the Chattel Mort- 20. Tarbel t). Bradley, 7 Abb. N. C. gage Act, when confining its opera- 273. tion to goods and chattels, had the 21. Chester V. Jumel, 5 N. Y. Supp. clear distinction in mind which has ■ 809, rev'd on other grounds, 125 always existed between personal N.'Y. 237. 62 Chattel Moetgages. requires the filing only of mortgages upon personalty which is capable of delivery/^ d. Mortgage of Real and Personal Property. — A mortgage covering both real and personal property (excepting certain cor- porate mortgages) should be recorded as a real estate mortgage and also filed as a chattel mortgage.^* But an .omission to file as a chattel mortgage, though it may render the mortgage ineffectual as to the personalty, does not affect its lien upon the realty.^* e. Corporate Mortgages. — By virtue of the provisions of sec- tion 231 of the Lien Law, mortgages creating a lien upon real and personal property, executed by a corporation as security for the payment of bonds issued by such corporation, or by any tele- graph, telephone or electric light corporation, and recorded as a mortgage of real property in each county where such property ia located or through which the line of such telegraph, telephone or electric light corporation runs, need not be filed or refiled as chattel mortgages.°° 22. Tilden v. Tilden, 26 Misc. 672, 57 N. Y. Supp. 864. 23. Chemung Canal Bank v. Payne, 164 N. y. 252; Stewart v. Beale, 7 Hun 405, aff'd, 68 N. Y. 629, mem.; State Trust Co. v. Casino Co., 19 App. Div. 344, 46 N. Y. Supp. 492; I"itzgerald v. Atlanta Home Ins. Co., 61 App. Div. 350, 70 N. Y. Supp. 552; Goodhue ». Berrien, 2 Sandf. Ch. 630; State Bank of Williamson v. [Fish, 120 N. Y. Supp. 365. Agreement That Personalty Shall Be Considered Realty. — While the mortgagor and mortgagee may agree as between themselves whether prop- erty shall be considered as real or personal so far as it affects their personal interests, they cannot by the agreement alter the nature of the property so as to affect the rights of other persons and so as to render nugatory the provisions of law re- lating to the filing of such mort- gages for the protection of other creditors and persons interested. Matter of Munson, 70 Misc. 461, 128 N. Y. Supp. 1106. 24. Chemung Canal Bank v. Payne, 164 N. Y. 252; Hardin c. Dolge, 46 App. Div. 416, 61 N. Y. Supp. 753. See also State Trust Co. v. Casino Co., 19 App. Div. 344, 46 N. Y. Supp. 492. 25. Piatt V. New York & Sea Beach R. Co., 9 App. Div. 87, 41 N. Y. Supp. 42; Guaranty Trust Co. v. Troy Steel Co., 33 Misc. 484, 68 N. Y. Supp. 915; Eobson v. Dailey, ISC' N. Y. Supp. 1036. See also Hoyle v. Plattsburgh & Montreal R. Co., 54 N. Y. 314. " Electric Light Company." — A gas and electric light company is in- cluded by the words: "Any . . . electric light . . . corporation." New York Security & Trust Co. v.. Saratoga Gas & Light Co., 88 Hua 569, 34 N. Y. Supp. 890. The statute, as now consolidated, includes all corporationsv generally, and refers particularly to telegraph, telephone and electric light corporations, which would seem to be included necessarily within the general scope of the preceding portion of the section.^" The word " bonds " as used in this statute, by virtue of the provisions of section 35 of the General Construction Law providing that words in the plural number include the singular, includes a single bond, so as to bring a mortgage securing such a bond within the provisions of the statute.^' The term " real property " as used in the above statute is defined by section 290 of the Real Property Law and thus " includes lands, tene- ments and hereditaments and chattels real, except a lease for a term not exceeding three years." ^° Thus, a mortgage covering a lease for ten years and personal property is within this statute and need not be filed or refiled as a chattel mortgage.^" Sec. 3. Change of Possession in Lieu of Filing. a. In Getieral. — According to the express language of section 230 of the Lien Law, it is not necessary to file a chattel mortgage where it is accompanied by an immediate delivery and a continued change of possession of the things mortgaged.^" There is authority to the effect that, where the property is in the hands of a third person, an immediate delivery is not necessary as a substitute for filing.*^ Whether there has been a change of possession is gen- erally a question for the jury.*'' The question of the change of 26. Clement v. Congress Hall, 73 30. Siedenbach v. Eiley, 111 N. Y. Misc. 519, 132 N. Y. Supp. 16. 560; Tedeaco v. Oppenheimer, 15 Compare State Trust Co. v. Casino Misc. 522, 37 N. Y. Supp. 1073; Co., 5 App. Div. 381, 39 N. Y. Supp. Lee v. Huntoon, Hoff. Ch. 447 ; 258. Knapp v. Alvord, 10 Paige 205. 27. Clement v. Congress Hall, 73 At common law possession of the Misc. 519, 132 N. Y. Supp. 16. mortgaged chattels by the mortgagee 28. Westchester Trust Co. v. Hobby was essential to the validity of the Bottling Co., 102 App. Div. 464, 92 mortgage. There is nothing in the^ N. Y. Supp. 482, of . Pirkl, 100 Misc. 594, 166 N. Y. Supp. 440. 48. A chattel mortgage given No- vember 20, 1894, and not filed until June 14th is void as to creditors at- taching the property June 13th and re- ceivers thereof appointed on the same day, although their liens and debts arose subsequently to the execution of the mortgage. Ledoux v. Bank of America, 24 App. Div. 123, 48 N. Y. Supp. 771. 49. Davidson v. Osborne, 75 Misc. 391, 135 N. Y. Supp. 675. 50. In re Schmidt, 181 Fed. 73. 51. Merry v. Wilcox, 92 Hun 210, 36 N. Y. Supp. 1050. 52. A failure to file the mortgage for two months after its execution renders it void as against simple con- tract creditors of the mortgagor, whose claims accrued prior to the execution of the mortgage ; the filing of the mort- gage before the creditor obtains judg- ment upon his claim does not render the mortgage valid from the date of filing. Grouse v. Schoolcraft, 51 App. Div. 160, 64 N. Y. Supp. 640. 53. Rudd V. Robinson, 54 Hun 339, 7 N. Y. Supp. 535, rev'd on other grounds, 126 N. Y. 113. 54. Field v. Ingreham, 15 Misc. 529, 37 N. Y. Supp. 1135, holding that the fact that the mortgage includes prop- erty exempt from execution under section 1391 of the Code does not change the rule where the mortgagor has not claimed the exemption. 54a. Reynolds v. Webb, 166 N. Y. Supp. 668. 55. Karst v. Gane, 136 N. Y. 316, holding that the filing of the mort- gage before creditor's judgment was obtained does not restore the validity of the mortgage as against creditors whose debts were in existence during the default in filing the mortgage. 56. Tooker v. Siegel-Cooper Co., 194 N.,Y. 442. 68 Chattel Mortgages. have rendered the filing Ineffectual. The filing of a first chattel mortgage at two- thirty in the afternoon (ten days after it was executed) of the same day a second chattel mortgage was executed, cannot be regarded as notice to the second mortgagee of the first mortgage; the second mortgage is a prior lien.'" Where a mortgage was executed on the 31st of August or the 1st of September and it was not filed until the fifth, the question whether the mortgage was filed within a reasonable time was left with the jury. The jury found it was not. It was said at General Term : " As a question of fact I doubt very much whether the jury reached a correct conclusion in that respect. The mortgagee lived some three miles from the town clerk's office, and it does not seem to me that the delay was unreasonable." The decision in the case was, however, placed upon other grounds.^' It has been held that a delay of two days does not render the mortgage void where rights of third persons do not intervene between the execution and filing of the instrument. ^^ Where the mortgage upon execution is delivered, not to the mortgagee, but to a third party, upon no condition except that it shall not be delivered at all in the event of the payment of the debt before a specified day, the reasonable time commences to run from such delivery and not from the time of the delivery to the actual mortgagee."" A chattel mortgage is not effective, as against creditors, or sub- sequent purchasers or mortgagees in good faith until it is filed. If a creditor levies upon the mortgaged property or such property is sold or mortgaged to a purchaser or mortgagee in good faith during the interval between the execution and the filing of the mortgage, the mortgage is ineffectual. The diligence of the mort- gagee will not avail him.*'^ Thus, where a mortgage upon a canal hoat in this State was executed in Pennsylvania, and an agent of Where the mogtgagee fails to file Supp. 174, 49 St. Eep. 535. See also, the mortgage for four weeks after Matter of Pearlman, 346 Fed. 874 as execution it is void as to creditors to a delay of six days, ■whose debts accrued before the exe- 59. Smith v. Acker, 23 Wend. 653. cution thereof. Vreeland v. Pratt, 42 60. Tooker v. Siegel-Cooper Co., 19'4 St. Rep. 582, 63 Hun 626, 17 N. Y. N. Y. 442. Supp 307. 61. Hathaway v. Howell, 54 N. Y. 57. Huber v. Ehlers, 76 App. Div. 97; Keller v. Paine, 107 N. Y. 83; •602, 79 N. Y. Supp. 150. Hicks v. Williams, 17 Barb. 523; 58. Clark v. McDufBe, 21 N. Y. Smith v. Acker, 23 Wend. 653. Filing. 69 the mortgagee, with the utmost diligence, took the earliest train to the place where the mortgage should be filed and reached there on the following day but one hour after a levy on the boat had been made by a creditor, it was held that the mortgage, not having been filed at the time the levy was made, was ineffectual as against the creditor/^ And where a chattel mortgage was executed at 10 p. M. on Saturday night and was immediately delivered to the filing oflScer, who though not at his office marked the same as filed at that hour, it was held that where the mortgage was not taken to the clerk's ofiice until 9 a. m., Monday, it would be void as against a levy properly made at 8 p. m. on that day."* b. Priority of Mortgages Filed at Same Time. — Where two mortgages are executed at the same time on the same property to different persons and both are filed at the same time, an agreement that one is to have priority over the other will be sustained. This priority cannot be affected or changed by the neglect of the owner of the mortgage accorded priority to refile it, nor by the diligence of the other mortgagee in refiling his within due time.** Sec. 5. Place of Filing. a. Statute. — " An instrument, or a true copy thereof, if in- tended to operate as a mortgage of a canal boat, steam tug, scow or other craft, or of the appurtenances thereto, navigating the canals of this State, must be filed in the office of the superintendent of public works, and need not be filed elsewhere. Every other chattel mortgage, or an instrument intended to operate as such, or a true copy, thereof, must be filed in the town or city where the mortgagor, if a resident of the State, resides at the time of the execution thereof, and if not a resident, in the city or town where^ the property mortgaged is at the time of the execution of the mort- gage. If there is more than one mortgagor, the mortgage, or a certified copy thereof, must be filed in each city or town within the State where each mortgagor resides at the time of the execution thereof. In the city of New York, such instrument must be filed as follows, namely : In the borough of Brooklyn in said city, such 68. Keller v. Paine, 107 N. Y. 83. superior to the claim of the 63. Hathaway v. Howell, 54 N. Y. creditor. 97, but holding that, where the levy 64. Wray v. Federke, 11 J. & S. was not good, the mortgage was 335. 70 Chattel Moetgages. instrument shall be filed in the ofiice of the register of the county of Kings ; in the borough of Queens in said city, in the office of. the clerk of Queens county; in the borough of Eichmond in said city, in the office of the clerk of the county of Eichmond ; in the borough of Manhattan in said city, in the office of the register of the county of New York, and in the borough of the Bronx in said city, in the office of the register of the county of Bronx. In every other city or town of the State, in the office of the city or town clerk, unless there is a county clerk's office in such city or town, in which case it must be filed therein. If the chattels mortgaged are in the city of New York at the time of the execution of the mortgage, the mortgage or a true copy thereof must be filed in the county where the mortgagor alleges to resido at the time of the execution of the mortgage, and in the county where the property is situated. All liens and mortgages, including books and papers pertaining thereto, now on file in the comptroller's office, shall be transferred to the office of the superintendent of public works, who shall preserve the same in his department, and who shall be vested with full power and authority to do and per- form any and all things relating thereto in like manner and with the same force and effect as heretofore done and performed by the • comptroller.*^ b. Construction of Statute. — If the mortgagor is a resident of the State, the mortgage must be filed in the town or city of his residence. *° A mortgage of both realty and personalty must be filed in the town clerk's office as to the personalty; a filing in the 65. Lien Law, § 232. ers v. Freeman, 2 Lans. 127; Gould The last sentence of this section «'. Browne, 4 Leg. Obs. 423. See also was addded in 1910 when the Legis-. Jencks v. Smith, 1 N. Y. 90. lature, by other amendments to the Residence in Kings; Place of Busi- Lien Law, changed the place of filing ness in New York County. — Where for , mortgages on canal boats from a mortgagor has his residence in the the oflSce of the comptroller to county of Kings, but has a place of that of the superintendent of public business in the county of New York, works. wherein goods were sold to him, the 66. Stewart v. Piatt, 101 U. S'. 731 ; county of Kings is the proper county People eo) rel. Stevens v. Hoyt, 66 in which to file » purchase-money N. Y. 606; Martin v. Rothschild, 42 mortgage, and it is void as to a pur- Hun 410; Baumann v. Libetta, 3 chaser in good faith if filed only in Misc. 518, 23 N. Y. Supp. 1 ; Chandler New York county. Baumann v. V. Bunn, Hill & D. Supp. 167; Pow- Libetta, 3 Misc. 518, 23 N. Y. Supp. 1. riLIZSTG. 71 county clerk's office is Insufficient."' Filing in the clerk's office of the town wherein the mortgagor resided at the time o£ the execution of the mortgage is sufficient, though the mortgagor does not reside there at the time of the filing/' Thus, where a person residing in one town bought a farm and stock in another town, giving a mortgage on the stock, and a few days afterward moved his residence to the farm, it was held that the mortgage should have been filed in the town of his former residence and, as it was only filed in the town where the farm was situated, it was void as against a iona fide purchaser. °° c. Effect of Erroneous Statement of Residence. — The fact that the mortgagor is described in the instrument as residing in a particular town or county is of no importance. A creditor or subsequent purchaser or mortgagee can show that such is not the true residence of the mortgagor and thus defeat the mortgage lien. A person or creditor dealing with the mortgaged property is bound to look for mortgages only in the town or city where the mortgagor actually resides.'" The mortgagee or his assignee is not estopped by an erroneous recital of the mortgagor's residence ; he may show the correct residence of the mortgagor and that the mortgage is properly filed at such residence."^ The statute seems to provide an exception to the requirement that the mortgage be filed in the town where the mortgagor resides 67. See supra, the subdivision Ne- And he has no right to substitute cessity of Filing — Mortgages of Real for it anything else, though he may and Personal Property, p. 62. think it would give much better in- 68. Hicks V. Williams, 17 Barb. formation of its existence than if he 523. literally followed the requirements of 69. Powers v. Freeman, 2 Lans. the statute. Persons who aubse- 127, wherein the court said : " It is quently deal with the mortgagor in not enough to say, that the filing in regard to the mortgaged property, Wilna was better calculated to give are bound to take notice of the re- notice of the mortgage, than the fil- quirements of the statute, and are ing in Antwerp would have been. The bound to look for mortgages where answer to that is, that the language the statute declares they shall be of the statute is clear and explicit, in filed." requiring it to be filed in the town 70. Stewart v. Piatt, 101 U. S. 731 ; where the mortgagor resides at the Baumann v. Libetta, 3 Misc. 518, 23 time of its execution, and its re- N. Y. Supp. 1 ; Chandler v. Bunn, quirements must be observed by the Hill & D. Supp. 167. mortgagee, if he would have his mort- 71. Chandler v. Bunn, Hill & D. gage valid against such purchasers. Supp. 167. 72 Chattel Mortgages. at the time of the execution of the mortgage, viz : " If the chattels mortgaged are in the city of New York at the time of the execution of the mortgage, the mortgage or a true copy thereof must be filed in the county where the mortgagor alleges to reside at the time of the execution of the mortgage, and in the county where the prop- erty is situated." ''^ d. Partnership Mortgage. — Where the mortgaged property is owned by two or more persons, as in the case of a mortgage given by a partnership, the mortgage or a copy thereof must be filed in the town or city where each resides. '^ Filing in the town or city where the place of business of the firm is located is insufficient.'* 6. Mortgage hy Joint Stock Association. — It would be ex- tremely burdensome to file a chattel mortgage given by a joint stock association in every town or city wherein a stockholder of the association resided. In such a case, the statute is complied with when the mortgage is filed where the principal office of the company is located, or its business principally conducted.'"' f . Mortgage of Vessel. — The filing of mortgages on vessels of the United States is governed by federal statute. Such mortgages are treated in another chapteB* of this work.''* g. Mortgage of Carial Boat. — Since the 1910 amendment to the statute, mortgages on canal boats must be filed in the office of the superintendent of public works. If not so filed, though filed in the clerk's office of the town wherein the mortgagor resides, they are void as to creditors, etc." 72. The amendment of the statute erty is situated and one of the part- creating this exception apparently ners resides, but is not filed in the overrules some of the above decisions. city and county where the other part- But the principle involved and its ner resides, the mortgage is thereby application to counties other than rendered void as against the creditors New York has not been disturbed. of the mortgagors, and subsequent 73. Stewart v. Piatt, 101 U. S. 731; purchasers and mortgagees in good Russell V. St. Mart, 180 N. Y. 355 ; faith. Russell v. St. Mart, 180 N. Y. Bueb V. Geraty, 28 Misc. 134, 59 N. Y. 355. Supp. 249. 74. Stewart v. Piatt, 101 U. S. 731. Where a chattel mortgage to secure 75. Nelson v. Neil, 15 Him 383. part of the purchase price of mort- 78. See infra, the chapter Mort- gaged property is given by the mem- gages on Vessels, p. 189. bers of a firm, who reside in diiferent 77. Witherbee v. Taft, 51 App. Div. places and the mortgage is filed in 87, 64 N. Y. Supp. 347. See also the town and county where the prop- Sweet v. Lawrence, 35 Barb. 337. Filing. 73 K. Mortgage of Liquor Tax Certificate. — Section 13-a of the Liquor Tax Law specially provides for the filing of an instrument transferring a liquor tax certificate as security. The provision is as follows: "Each county treasurer of a county or each special deputy commis- Bioner of excise, if there be one, shall receive and file in his office every instrument in writing, tendered to him, by which an unexpired liquor tax certificate, issued by him or by his predecessor in office, or, except as herein provided, any other liquor tax certificate hereafter issued by him or his successor in office, is assigned or transferred by the holder thereof to a person as collateral security for moneys loaned or any other obligation incurred; and such county treasurer or special deputy, as the case may be, shall immediately enter in a record book to be kept by him for that purpose the name of the certificate holder, the location of the premises for which such certificate was issued, or to which such certificate may have been transferred, under what sub- division of section eight the certificate was issued, the date when issued, the name and the address of the assignee or transferee, the date of euch assignment or transfer, the date such assignment or transfer was received and filed and the date of the cancellation and discharge of the same ; such county treasurer or special deputy, as the case inay be, ehall immediately indorse upon said assignment or transfer the date of the receipt of same, the name of the holder of the certificate, the name of the assignee or transferee, the number of the certificate, the location of the premises for which the certificate was issued, or to which such certificate may have been transferred, the date of the issu- ance of the same, under what subdivision of section eight the certificate was issued and the date of the assignment or transfer; said indorse- ment shall be signed by said county treasurer, or special deputy, in whose office the same is filed and such indorsement shall be received in evidence in all courts of this state and shall be competent and suffi- cient prima facie evidence of all the facts stated therein. An assign- ment or transfer of a liquor tax certificate made after the taking effect of this act, as collateral security for moneys loaned to, or any other obligation incurred by, the holder of such certificate, shall be void, and no such assignment or transfer shall be thereafter made, except as hereinafter provided in respect to the assignment or transfer of a certificate issued in lieu or in renewal of an assigned or transferred certificate. An assignment or transfer of a liquor tax certificate as collateral security for moneys loaned to, or any other obligations in- curred by, the holder of such certificate, on file in the office of the cer- tificate issuing officer on the date of the taking effect of this act, shall continue to be security for the payment or satisfaction of such loans or obligations by such certificate holder or his successor or successors in interest, at the premises affected thereby or at any other premises !74 Chattel Moetgages. to whicH the traffic in liquors may be transferred, and for the payment or satisfaction of any additional loans to, or -obligations incurred by, Buch certificate holder or his successor or successors in interest, to and including October thirty-first, nineteen hundred and eighteen, prior to and including which date any certificate issued in lieu of or in. re- newal of such assigned or transferred certificate may in like manner be assigned or transferred. Any such liquor tax certificate, or any liquor tax certificate issued in lieu of or in renewal thereof, so assigned or transferred shall continue as security for the payment of such loans or obligations, or so much thereof as remains unpaid and unsatisfied on said thirty-first day of October, nineteen hundred and eighteen, to and including the thirtieth day of September, nineteen hundred and twenty-five, prior to which latter date any certificate issued in lieu of or in renewal of any such assigned or transferred certificate may be in like manner assigned or transferred. After the thirtieth day of Sep- tember, nineteen hundred and twenty-five, no liquor tax certificate whatsoever shall be assigned or transferred as collateral security for the payment of moneys loaned or any other obligation incurred, and any such assignment or transfer shall be void and of no effect." Sec. 6. Filing of Portion of Contract. Where a chattel mortgage is in the form of a bill of sale with a separate defeasance, the filing of the bill of sale is sufficient to satisfy the statute.'^^ If the defeasance were oral, as is many time9 the case, no other filing would be possible. Where, by the terms of a chattel mortgage, the debt was to be paid at the expiration of a certain number of years, " except in case de- fault should be made in the performance of the conditions of a cer- tain agreement this day executed," such agreement providing that the debt was to be paid in monthly installments, it was held that the mort- gage was properly filed though the agreement referred to was not filed.80 Sec. 7. The Acts of Filing and Entry. a. 'Statute. — Section 333 of the Lien Law provides for the filing and entry of chattel mortgages as follows : " Such officers shall file every such instrument presented to them for that purpose, and in- dorse thereon its number and time of its receipt. They shall enter in a book, provided for that purpose, in separate columns, the names of all the parties to each mortgage so filed, arranged in alphabetical order, under the head of 'mortgagors' and 'mortgagees,' the 79. Preston v. Southwick, 115 N. Y. 80. Shuler v. Boutwell, 18 Him 139. 171. FiLiNGr 75, number of such mortgage or copy and the date of the filing thereof; and, if the mortgage be upon a craft navigating the canals, and filed in the office of the superintendent of public works, the name of the craft shall also be inserted. In the city of New York such officers shall in addition to the entry aforesaid enter in another book pro- vided for that purpose a statement of the premises in which the chat- tels mortgaged are contained, arranged in alphabetical order, imder the name of the street or avenue where the premises are situated and giving the number of such mortgage or copy and the date of filing thereof. In case no street or avenue is mentioned in the description, in the mortgage or copy, of the premises in which the chattels are con- tained, then a statement of such premises shall be entered imder the title 'miscellaneous.' Except in the city of New York such officers at the time of filing of such instrument shall, upon request, issue to the person filing the same a receipt in writing, which shall contain the names of the parties to the mortgage, its date, amount and the date and time of filing thereof." b. Absence of Officer. — ^The statute requires the filing in the office ■of certain officials. If filed in the office, it is not necessary that the officer be personally present at the time.^^ Thus, the filing may be made by a clerk ia the store of the town clerk, having charge of the office ia the absence of the officer.^^ g^^ a proper filing requires the act of the clerk or some person in charge of the office. An unsuccess- ful attempt to enter the office or to leave the mortgage at the office, when no one is present, is not a proper filing.^^ Thus, where a mort- gagee went to the town clerk's office to file a chattel mortgage, but found it closed, and, when he returned several hours afterward, the office was open but no one was present, whereupon he placed the mort- gage on a desk in the office with the filing fee and wrote on the instru- ment a direction to file the same, it was held that the mortgage was not properly filed imtil the following day when the clerk discovered it.84 81. Dodge V. Potter, 18 Barb. 193. of the clerk or some person in charger 82. Dodge v. Potter, 18 Barb. 193. of the office. To hold that an unsuc- 83. Grouse v. Johnson, 65 Hun 337, cessful attempt to enter the office, or 20 N. Y. Supp. 177. the leaving of a paper therein, con- Si. Grouse v. Johnson, 65 Hun 337, stitutes a filing, is not, we think, jus- 20 N. Y. Supp. 177, wherein the court tifled by the statute. A chattel mort- eaid : " The statute requires clerks to gage is filed within the meaning of file all chattel mortgages that are the statute when it is delivered to, presented to them for that purpose, received and kept by the proper offi- and enter thereon the time of receiv- cer, or some one in charge of the ing the same, and to deposit them in office, for the purpose of the notice their office for inspection. To consti- the statute intended should be given." lute a proper filing requires the act '76 Chattel Moetgages. Where a mortgage is delivered to the clerk after office hours and a;t a time when he is absent from his office, it is not deemed filed until it is taken to the office.^^ c. Vacancy in Office. — Although, by reason of a vacancy in the office, there may be no town clerk, there is a town clerk's office. Thus, where there was a vacancy in such office, but a person, having the keys to the building containing the town clerk's office, placed a mortgage among the other chattel mortgages and indorsed it " Filed Oct. 20th, 1845," it was held that the filing was sufficient.^^ d. Omission of Officer. — The filing consists in presenting the mort- gage at the office and leaving it in the proper place with the papers in the office. The numbering, indorsement and indexing are not sub- stantial elements of the filing. These latter acts are to be done by the officer, and their improper performance does not affect the rights of the mortgagee.S'^ If a third party is misled by the failure of the officer to properly perform his duty, he must seek redress against the officer.^* Sec. 8. Payment of Fees. " The several clerks and registers are entitled to receive for services hereunder, the following fees: For filing each instrument, or copy, eix cents; for issuing a receipt for the same, six cents; for entering^ the same as aforesaid, six cents; for searching for each paper, six cents; and the like fees for certified copies of such instruments or copies as are allowed by law to clerks of counties for copies and cer- tificates of records kept by them. The superintendent of public works is entitled to receive the following fees for services performed under this article, for the use of the state: For filing each instrument or copy and entering the same, twenty-five cents ; for searching for each paper, twenty-five cents; and the like fees for certified copies of such instruments or copies as are allowed by law to be charged by the super- intendent of public works for copies and certificates of records kept in his office. No officer is required to file or enter any such paper, or furnish a copy thereof, or issue a receipt therefor, until his lawful fees are paid." ®^ The payment or tender of the fees specified in the statute is neces- sary to entitle a mortgagee to demand the filing and registry of his mortgage.^** 85. Hathaway v. Howell, 54 N. Y. 88. Dikeman v. Puekhafer, 1 Abb. 97. Manhattan Co. v. Laimbeer, 108 N. Y. 86. Bishop V. Cook, 13 Barb. 326. STO, approving the above eases. 87. Dodds V. O'Brien, 166 N. Y. Pr., N. S., 32, 1 Daly 489. Supp. 1065; Dikeman v. Puekhafer, 1 89. Lien Law, § 234. Abb. Pr., N. S., 32, 1 Daly 489 ; 90. People ex rel. Stevens v. Hoyt, Bishop V. Cook, 13 Barb. 326; Dodge 66 N". Y. 606, rev'g 7 Hun 39. V. Potter, 18 Barb. 193. See also Tiling. 17 Sec. 9. Removal of Mortgage. There is no duty expressly imposed upon the clerk by the chattel mortgage statutes to keep the mortgage on file. However, such a duty is reasonably implied from the nature of his office. Where a mortgage is temporarily removed from the office under a subpoena duces tecum at the instance of a judgment creditor, such creditor will not acquire any rights thereby superior to the mortgage by causing an execution to be levied upon the mortgaged property while the mort- gage is so absent from the office.^^ Sec. 10. Effect of Failure to File. a. As to Third Parties. — ^By the statute, a chattel mortgage not filed as prescribed therein is void unless a change of possession of the prop- erty is made, as to creditors and subsequent purchasers or mortgagees in good faith. The instrument is void because the statute says so, not because it is tainted by any inherent vice.^^ It is not void as malum in se, but as malum prohibitum. ^^ It may be affected as to a portion of property covered thereby and enforceable as to the balance.^^ b. As Between the Parties. — As between the parties thereto a mort- gage is valid and enforceable without filing or change of possession.®^ Sec. 11. Who May Attack Mortgage for Failure to File. a. In General. — A mortgage not properly filed is void only as to the classes of persons mentioned in the statute, viz: creditors or sub- sequent purchasers or mortgagees in good faith.^^ Thus, the mort- gagee is entitled to the mortgaged property as against a person wrong- fully taking the same, though his mortgage is not filed.®'^ And an un- 91. Rogers v. Ihviglit, 71 Hun 547, Hof v. Mager, 168 App. Div. 318, 154 25 N. Y. Supp. 39. N. Y. Supp. 60; Balz v. Shaw, 13 92. Chemung Canal Bank v. Payne, Misc. 181, 34 N. Y. Supp. 5; Halladay 164 N. Y. 252; Niagara County Bank v. Worthington, 99 Misc. 141, 163 N. V. Lord, 33 Hun 557. Y. Supp. 362; Zimmer v. Wheeler, 2 93. Stephens v. Meriden Britannia St. Rep. 325; Westcott v. Gunn, 4 Co., 160 N. Y. 178. Duer 107; Paucoast v. American 94. Chemung Canal Bank v. Payne, Heating & Power Co., 66 How. Pr. 49; 164 N. Y. 352; Hardin V. Dolge, 46 Bryant «. Woodruff, 5 Leg. Obs. 139; App. Div. 416, 61 N. Y. Supp. 753. Manufacturer's Bank v. Eober, 19 95. Stewart v. Piatt, 101 U. S. 731 ; Week. Dig. 476. Ward V. Ward, 145 Fed. 1023, 74 C. 96. Sheldon V. Wickham, 161 N. Y. C A. 146 ; Stephens v. Meriden Brl- 500 ; Hayman «?.. Jones, 7 Hun 238 ; tannia Co., 160 N. Y. 178; Gandy v. tain v. Sayer, 50 App. Div. 554, 64 Collins, 214 N. Y. 293; B. DeBraeke- N. Y. Supp. 248; Hof v. Mager, 16S leer & Co. v. Schwabeland, 86 Hun App. Div. 318, 154 N. Y. Supp. 60; 143, 33 N. Y. Supp. 212, aif'd, 155 N. Crisfield v. Bogardus, 18 Abb. N. C. Y. 644, mem.; Skilton v. Codington, 334. 86 App. Div. 166, 83 N. Y. Supp. 351; 97. Moses V. WaJker, 2 Hilt. 536. ,'78 Chattel Moetgages. filed mortgage upon chattels brought by the mortgagor into a firm of which he becomes a member, as his proportion of the capital, is not void as against the other partners.^^ The means by which one shall attack an unfiled chattel mortgage is to be determined by the lex b. Creditor in General. — A chattel mortgage not properly filed is void as to creditors, including simple contract creditors, whose debts were in existence at any time during the default in filing. Whether the debt accrued before or after the execution of the mortgage is immaterial.^^ But though^ the mortgage is void as against a, simple contract creditor, he is not in a position to avail himself 98. Eust V. Hauselt, 14 J. & S. 22. 98a. Halladay v. Worthington, 99 Misc. 141, 163 N. Y. Supp. 362. 99. Thompson v. Van Veehten, 27 N. Y. 568; Parshall v. Eggert, 54 N. Y. 18 ; Tremaine v. Mortimer, 128 N. Y. 1; Karst v. Gane, 136 N. Y. 316; Stephens V. Perrine, 143 N. Y. 476; Russell V. St. Mart, 180 N. Y. •SSS; Fraser v. Gilbert, 11 Hnn 634; Beynolds v. Ellis, 34 Hun 47, aff'd, 103 N. Y. 115; Campbell Printing Press, etc., Co. v. Damon, 48 Hun S09, 1 N. Y. Supp. 185; Sheldon v. Wick- ihami 27 App. Div. 628, 50 N. Y. Supp. 314; Crouse v. Schoolcraft, 51 App. Div. 160, 64 N. Y. Supp. 640 ; Bullard V. Kenyon, 24 N. Y. Supp. 374, 53 St. Eep. 731 ; Smith v. Clarendon, 6 N. Y. Supp. 809'; Reynolds V. Webb. 166 N. Y. Supp. 668; Parker v. Wagoner, 166 N. Y. Supp. 625 ; Lane v. Lutz, 1 Keyes 203, 3 Abb. Dec. 19 ; Clark v. C:ilbert, 14 Week. Dig. 241. Debt Accruing before Execution of Mortgage. — In Karst v. Gane, 136 N. Y. 321, the court holding that creditors whose debts antedate the execution of the mortgage may attack the same for failure to file, said: " It is undoubtedly true that one and perhaps the most important purpose of the act, so far as it applies to cred- itors, was to protect persons giving credit to the mortgagor in ignorance of the existence of a mortgage upon his property. But the legislative pol- icy was broader than this single pur- ipose. It is impossible to say that only creditors who became such dur- ing the existence of a mortgage may be injured by keeping the mortgage a secret. It certainly is not improbable that in many cases antecedent credit- , ors may be lulled into security and! forbear the collection of their debts [ at maturity, by the apparent unin- , cumbered possession and ownership by : the debtor of property covered by an' xmdiselosed mortgage." An indorser, whose liability had ■ot become fixed at the time thej mortgage was filed, by the maturity i and dishonor of the note to which he ; was a party, is not a creditor oi the | mortgagor within the meaning of the statute. Karst v. Gane, 61 Hun 533, 16 N. Y. Supp. 385, affd, 136 N. Y. 316. The filing of the mortgage does not restore the validity thereof as against creditors whose debts were in exist- ence during the default in filing the mortgage, although judgments or ex- ecutions were not obtained until after the mortgage was in fact filed. Karst V. Gane, 136 N. Y. 316; Crouse v. Schoolcraft, 51 App. Div. 160, 64 N. Y. Supp. 640. A simple contract creditor is a» much within the protection of the statute as a creditor whose claim has been merged into judgment, but he Tuns the risk of having his remedy defeated by a transfer of the property from the mortgagor to the mortgagee in payment of the mortgage before he liaa acquired a lien thereon. Karst. V. Gane, 136 N. Y. 316. FiLIIfG. 70- of the Invalidity until he has procured, or is in a position to pru^ cure, a specific lien and claim against the property involved.^"" This means, ordinarily, that he must procure a judgment and cause execution to be issued against the property of the mort- gagor.^"' The granting of an attachment, however, is an adjudi- Creditor's Right Assigned with Debt. ^ — The preference of a creditor over an unfiled mortgage attaches to the debt and accompanies it when transferred in the course of the nego- tiation of commercial paper. Thomp- son V. Van Vechten, 27 N. Y. 568. Mortgage on Exempt Property. — A creditor may attack an unfiled mortgage on property exempt from execution under section 1391 of the Code of • Civil Procedure, where the mortgagor has not claimed the exemp- tion. Field V. Ingraham, 15 Misc. 629, 37 N. Y. Supp. 1135. Creditors Not Prejudiced. — The word " creditors " as used in thel statute includes all creditors. The term is not limited to creditors who are prejudiced by the failure to file the mortgage. In re Schmidt, 181 Fed. 73. 100. Blennerhasset v. Sherman, 105 U. S. 100; In re Gerstman, 157 Fed. 549; Thompson v. Van Vechten, 27 N. Y. 568; Parshall v. Eggert, 54 N. Y. 18; Button v. Rathbone, Sard & Co., 126 N. Y. 187; Kitchen v. Lowery, 127 N. Y. 53; Stephens v. Meriden Britannia Co., 160 N. Y. 178; Skilton v. Codington, 185 N. Y. 80; Stewart v. Beal, 7 Hun 405, off'tf, 68 N. Y. 629, mem.; Campbell Print- ing Press, etc., Co. v. Damon, 48 Hun 509, 1 N. Y. Supp. 185 ; Castleman v. Pryor, 55 App. Div. 515, 67 N. Y. Supp. 229, aff'd, 168 N. Y. 354; Tooker v. Siegel-Cooper Co., 55 Misc. 68, 106 N. Y. Supp. 277, aff'd, 126 App. Div. 913, mem.; Matter of Mun- son, 70 Misc. 461, 128 N. Y. Supp. 1106; Kallattay v. Worthington, 99 Misc. 141, 163 N. Y. Supp. 363 ; Gras- muek V. Baur, 12 Daly 180; Ebling v. Husson, 22 J. 4 S. 377, 7 St. Rep. 39. An unfiled chattel mortgage is not absolutely void, as it is good as be- tween the parties and as against cred- itors at large. It is only void as to judgment creditors or creditors aimed with some legal process authorizing the seizure of the property. Stephens V. Meriden. Britannia Co., 160 N. Y> 178. 101. Thompson v. Van Vechten, 27 N. Y. 568 ; Jones v. Graham, 77 N. Y. 628; Sullivan v. Miller, 106 N. Y. 635; Button v. Rathbone, Sard & Co., • 126 N. Y. 187; Kitchen v. Lowery, 127 N. Y. 53; Kennedy v. Nat. Union Bank of Watertown, 23 Hun 494; Witherbee v. Taft, 51 App. Div. 87, 64 N. Y. Supp, 347; CuUen V. Ryder, 44 Misc. 485, 89 N. Y. Supp. 465, aff'd. 111 App. Div. 911; Smith V. Clarendon, 6 N. Y. Supp. 809; Briggs V. Austin, 8 N. Y. Supp. 786, 29 St. Rep. 245; Manufacturers' Nat. Bank of New York v. Rober, 19 Week. Dig. 476. Not Necessary that Levy Be Made. — To enable a creditor to at- tack a chattel mortgage on the ground that it was not filed, it is not neces- sary that the sheriff or ofiScer to whom the execution was delivered should make an actual levy upon the mortgaged property; delivery to the sheriff is sufficient to give the creditor standing to come into a court of equity to have the obstruction to his levy removed. Stewart v. Beale, 7 Hun 405, aff'd, 68 N. Y. 629, mem,; Steffin V. Steffin, 4 Civ. Pro. Rep. ,179. 80 Chattel Moetgages. cation of indebtedness/"^ and a creditor armed with such process may attack the mortgage."^"^ The commencement of an action, by a creditor in which a receiver is appointed may operate as a substitute for an execution or attachment/"* The doctrine that a general creditor cannot attack an unfiled mortgage is simply a rule of procedure and does not affect the right, and, therefore, where the recovery of a judgment is impracticable, it is not an indispensable requisite to enforcing the rights of the creditor/"'' Thus, where the creditor, on account of the death of the mortgagor, cannot obtain a lien or claim upon the property, relief may nevertheless be secured in equity.'"* A creditor who does not obtain a judgment, but takes a bill of sale of the goods with knowledge or notice of the existence of a mortgage thereon, takes no better title than the mortgagor had, and cannot attack the mortgage/"' But where a creditor, having a second mortgage on certain personal property, takes actual pos- session thereof, in an action by the first mortgagee for the con- version thereof, the creditor may set up the defense that the first Where a chattel mortgage is not filed until after the delivery of an execution to the sheriff, it is void as against the latter, although actu- ally filed before » levy. Hale v. Sweet, 40 N. Y. 97. A judgment creditor, at whose re- quest the ostensible proprietor of a business has formed a dormant part- nership with a third party, which has been kept secret from other cred- itors, is not entitled, by reason of having first levied upon property un- der an attachment against the mem- bers of the partnership as partners, to precedence over other judgment creditors who had previously levied upon the same property under exe- cutions against the ostensible pro^ pxietor of the business individually. Kings Co. Bank v. Courtney, 69 Hun 152, 23 N. Y. Supp. 542. Judgment creditor with no execu- tion is not in a position to attack a chattel mortgage on account of fail- ure to file the same. Manufacturers' Nat. Bank of New York v. Eaber, 19 Week. Dig. 476. 102. Ledoux v. East River Silk Co., 19 Misc. 440, 44 N. Y. Supp. 489. 103. Parshall v. Eggert, 54 N. Y. 18; Button v. Eathbone, Sard & Co., 126 N. Y. 187; Castleman v. Pryor, 55 App. Div. 515, 67 N. Y. Supp. 229. aff'd, 168 N. Y. 354. 104. See Kitchen v. Lowery, 127 N. Y. 53. 105. Skilton v. Codington, 185 N. Y. 80, holding that a trustee in bankruptcy may attack an unfiled mortgage through the creditors have not obtained judgments. 106. Matter of Munson, 70 Misc. 46<-, 138 N. Y. Supp. 1106. A chattel mortgage not refiled is void as to a creditor of the mortgagor, after hia death, though his claim is not reduoed to judgment. Matter of McGrovem, 118 N. Y. Supp. 378. 107. Volckers v. Sturke, 18 Misc. 457, 42 N. Y. Supp. 87; Davidson v. Osborne, 151 App. Div. 747 136 N. Y. eupp. 247. Filing. 81 mortgage was not properly filed. In such a oase, it is held that, as the instrument entitled the creditor to the immediate possession of the property, his right to take the same is as absolute as that of a creditor who has proceeded to judgment and execution.^"* And, where the creditor does not procure a judgment upon his claim, but the mortgagor delivers the mortgaged property to such creditor in payment of the debt, the mortgagee, if his mortgage is not properly filed, cannot object that the creditor has not pro- cured a judgment and the mortgagee cannot recover the property or its value from such creditor.^"* c. Creditor with Invalid Execution. — An unfiled chattel mortgage is valid as against a judgment which was entered pur- suant to a fraudulent scheme to cheat the creditors of the judg- ment debtor.^^" But, if the judgment is valid, the mortgagee cannot complain that the execution was irregularly issued.^^^ The granting of an attachment, although ex parte, is an adjudica- tion of indebtedness which cannot be attacked by a mortgagee in foreclosing an unfiled mortgage.^^^ d. Creditor with Knowledge of Mortgage. — Knowledge of the existence of an unfiled mortgage is no answer to an attack thereon by a creditor. The statute renders the mortgage void as to a creditor with or without knowledge of the mortgage.^^* e. Purchaser or Mortgagee. — A mortgage not properly filed is void as against a subsequent purchaser or mortgagee in good faith.^^* To show good faith in a subsequent mortgage of per- sonal property, so as to enable the holder thereof to avoid an unfiled mortgage, it must be proved by evidence dehors the instru- ment itself that the second mortgage was given for a valuable 108. Russell V. St. Mart, 180 N. Y. Karst v. Gane, 136 N. Y. 321 ; Dun- 355. ham v. Sllberstein, 32 Misc. 642, 66 109. Davidson v. Osborne, 75 Misc. N. Y. Supp. 475; McDonald v. Safe 391, 135 N. Y. Supp. 675. Deposit & Surety Co., 32 Misc. 644, 110. E. De Braekeleer & Co. v. 66 N. Y. Supp. 475 ; Barker v. Doty, Sehwabeland, 86 Hun 143, 33 N. Y. 4 Alb. L. J. 63; Tyler v. Strong, 21 Supp. 212, aif'd, 155 N. Y. 644, Barb. 198; Farmers' L. & T. Co. v. mem. Hendrickson, 25 Barb. 484; Stevens 111. Grouse v. Schoolcraft, 51 App. v. Buffalo & N. Y. City E. Co., 31 Div. 160, 64 N. Y. Supp. 640. Barb. 590. 112. Ledoux v. East River Silk Co., 114. Baskins v. Shannon, 3 N. Y. 19 Misc. 440, 44 N. Y. Supp. 489. 310; Thompson v. Blanchard, 4 N. Y. 113. Best V. Staple, 61 N. Y. 71; 303. 6 .82 Chattel Mortgages. consideration, or to secure the payment of an honest debt.^^^ Where a subsequent mortgage was taken in good faith, the fact that it was not properly filed does not deprive it of the protection of the statute. Its priority does not depend upon filing.'^" If the respective mortgagees of two chattel mortgages on the same property agree with the common mortgagor and with each other that the mortgage first executed shall be the first lien, such agree- ment will not be affected by the prior filing of the second mort- gage, and can be enforced by the owner of the first mortgage not only as against the mortgagee of the second mortgage, but also as against any subsequent purchaser of that mortgage.^'' f . Purchaser or Mortgagee from Third Party. — Where a per- son in good faith buys mortgaged chattels, not from the mortgagor,, but from one who is a mala fide purchaser, the last purchaser is not one who can attack the mortgage for failure to file."* Thus, where a wife gives a chattel mortgage, a purchaser or mort- gagee from her husband is not in a position to attack the mort- gage for failure to file.^'° But where the first purchaser is in good faith, the second succeeds to his rights and can attack the mortgage. ^^" g. Purchaser or Mortgagee with Notice of Unfiled Mort- gage. — A subsequent purchaser or mortgagee of chattels, having actual knowledge of an existing mortgage thereon, is not " in good faith," and the mortgage is enforceable as against him.^^^ 115. Baskins v. Shannon, 3 N. Y. 120. See Dillinghcm v. Bolt, 37 310, holding that evidence showing N. Y. 198. See also Allen v. Heine, that, about a year before the subse- 30 N. Y. Supp. 38. quent mortgage was given, the mort- 121. Benjamin V. Elmira, J. & C. gagor became indebted to the mort- R. Co., 54 N. Y. 675 ; Briggs v. Oliver, gagee, but not connecting the two 68 N. Y. 336; Gildersleeve v. Landon, transactions, is not sufScient. 73 N. Y. 609 ; Gandy v. Collins, 214 116. Witherbee V. Taft, 51 App. N. Y. 293; Davidson V. Osborne, 151 Div. 87, 64 N. Y. Supp. 347. Com- App. Div. 747, 136 N. Y. Supp. 247; pare Tiffany v. Warren, 37 Barb. 571, Dunham v. Silberstein, 32 Misc. 643, 24 How. Pr. 293. 66 N. Y. Supp. 475; Henry Elias 117. Stevenson Brewing Co. v. Iba, Brewing Co. v. Boegeir, 132 N. Y. Supp. 155 N. Y. 324. 286; Zimmer v. Wheeler, 2 St. Rep. 118. Wooster v. Sherwood, 25 N. Y. 325; Sanger v. Eastwood, 19 Wend. 278. A mortgagee in a mortgage 514 ; Gregory v. Thomas, 20 Wend. 17. made by a male fide purchaser cannot See also Tiffany v. Warren, 37 Barb. attack a prior mortgage because it is 571 34 g,,^ p,. 393 not filed. Hof v. Mager, 168 App. ^. wjaes— "Clear nntiw of « Div. 318, 154 N. Y. Supp. 60. f "*, ^^"™- ^'^*' •»<>*"» Of a 119. Balz V. Shaw, 13 Misc. 181, 34 pnor claim la considered per se evi- N. Y. Supp. 5; Talman v. Hawxhurst, dence of mala fides." Sanger v. Eaet- 4 Duer, 221. Filing. 83 Where a second mortgage is given expressly subject to a prior one, the subsequent mortgagee is deemed to have actual ^knowledge of the prior and all its conditions, and cannot acquire a superior lien/^^ Where a person about to make a loan on chattels, know- ing that a prior unfiled mortgage on the property has been given, relies on the statement of the mortgagor that the prior mortgage has been paid without inquiry of the mortgagee, he is not a sub- sequent mortgagee in good faith/^^ Where it appeared that, when a person was about to give a mortgage to a corporation, it was stated to the president of the corporation that there was a prior mortgage upon the property, and thereupon an affidavit of the mortgagor was changed so as to set up an existing mortgage of $85 upon the property, the corporation cannot be said to be a subsequent mortgagee in good faith.^''* h. Purchaser or Mortgagee on Account of Precedent Debt. — When the act respecting the filing of chattel mortgages was passed, the term bona fide purchaser had acquired a settled mean- ing which did not include a person whose purchase was on account of an existing debt and who parted with no property or right to obtain his conveyance.^'"' Thus, it has been consistently held that a subsequent purchaser or mortgagee, where the only con- sideration of the transfer is an existing debt or contract, is not in good faith and connot attack a prior mortgage on the ground that it was not properly filed.^^" Where a debtor's property is wood, 19 Wend. 514. "To say that N. Y. Supp. 1030. See also Jones a man takes in good laith, when he v. Howell, 3 Rob. 438. acts with notice, and of course under 123. Goodwin v. Bayerle, 18 Misc. conscious hostility to another who 63, 41 N. Y. Supp. 20. has before taken a similar title, 124. Eastern Brewing Co. v. Feist, would be a legal solecism.'' Gregory 21 Misc. 681, 48 N. Y. Supp. 39. V. Thomas, 20 Wend. 17. 125. Van Heusen v. Eadcliff, 17 Knowledge Imputed. — The knowl- N. Y. 580. edge of a husband is imputed to his 126. Van Heusen v. 'Eadcliff, 17 wife, taking a subsequent mortgage, N. Y. 580 ; Thompson v. Van Vechten, where he acts as her agent to trans- 27 N. Y. 568. Jones v. Graham, 77 act all her business. Henry Elias N. Y. 628; Button v. Rathbone, Sard Brewing Co. v. Boeger, 132 N. Y. & Co., 126 N. Y. 187; Kennedy v. Supp. 286. Nat. Union Bank of Watertown, 23 122. Independent Brewing Co. v. Hun 494; Harden v. Plass, 57 Huh Durston, 55 Misc. 498, 106 N. Y. 540, 11 N. Y. Supp. 226; Doig «. Supp. 686; Niccloy v. Treasure, 115 Haverly, 92 Hun 176, 37 N. Y. Supp. 84 Chattel Moetgages. conveyed to trustees to enable him to make preferences among his creditors, they are not purchasers in good faith. ^*' l^or can one purchasing the mortgaged property from a second mortgagee for an antecedent indebtedness, with full knowledge of the prior mortgage, and of the claim of a preference made by the holders thereof, hold the property, as against such prior mortgagee. ^^* Where mortgagors, to induce a person to become an accommo- dation indorser of a note, promised that, if he would indorse it, they would at any time give him a chattel mortgage for his pro- tection if he should need it, and he did subsequently before the maturity of the note receive from them a chattel mortgage, it was held that he was a mortgagee in good faith and entitled to attack a prior mortgage not properly filed.^^' Where the payee and holder of an overdue note, given for money loaned by him to the maker, purchased personal property from the latter and 455; Hof V. Mager, 168 App. Div. 318, 154 N. Y. Supp. 60; Bueb v. Geraty, 28 Mise. 134, Sff N". Y. Supp. 249; Bueb V. Geraty, 36 Misc. 161, 73 N. Y. Supp. 1071; Zimmer v. Wheeler, 2 St. Rep. 325 ; Woodburn v. Chamberlin, 17 Barb. 446; Tiffany v. Warren, 37 Barb. 571, 24 How. Pr. 293. A "subsequent purchase! in good faith " ia one who parts with value at the time of the transfer of title to or delivery of the identical prop- erty, and on the faith of such trans- fer or delivery. The term cannot be held to include one who receives the property in question either in pur- suance of an executory contract of sale, or in satisfaction of an antece- dent debt. Deeley v. Dwight, 16 Daly 300, 11 N. Y. Supp. 60, rev'd on other grounds, 132 N. Y. 59. A person who takes a subsequent mortgage as a security for a prece- dent debt, or a purchaser who has merely given credit for the purchase price of the property upon a precedent debt is not a subsequent purchaser or mortgagee in good faith. Button v. Eathbone, Sard & Co., 126 N. Y. 187. Valuable Consideration. — No con- veyance can be sustained on the ground of good faith, as against a prior unrecorded mortgage or deed for value unless made for a valuable consideration. An honest existing de- mand is a valuable consideration; but a conveyance on such consideration is held not to be in good faith when coming in conflict with a prior con- veyance given for value. It is the want of good faith, not the want of a valuable consideration, which pre- vents full effect from being given to a subsequent conveyance made on ac- count of an antecedent debt. Tiffany V. Warren, 37 Barb. 571, 24 How. Pr. 293. As between two mortgages given for antecedent debts, the prior, though not properly filed, is superior. Bueb V. Geraty, 28 Misc. 134, 59 N. Y. Supp. 249. 127. Van Heusen i\ Kadcliff, 17 N. Y. 580. 128. Tiffany v. Warren, 37 Barb. 571, 24 How. Pr. 293. 129. Bueb v. Geraty, 36 Misc. 161, 72 N. Y. Supp. 1071. Filing. 85 surrendered the note as the consideration of the sale, it was held that he was a purchaser in good faith.^^" i. Purchaser at Judicial Sale. — Where personal property is levied upon and sold under an execution, the purchaser has the eame right as the judgment creditor to attack a prior mortgage on the property; if the mortgage was not properly filed, it is ineffectual as against such a purchaser, though he had actual knowledge thereof."^ A purchaser on an execution sale holds; under the judgment and is entitled to priority. Any other con- struction of the statute would lead to the absurdity that, while a mortgage is void as to a judgment, such judgment could not he enforced because, provided the mortgagee would at any time before sale upon the execution file his mortgage and attend the sale and give notice of his mortgage, no one could purchase free therefrom."'^ But, if the sale is made expressly subject to the prior mortgage, the purchaser is estopped from disputing the validity of such a mortgage.'^* j. .Assignee of Subsequent Mortgagee. — Where a second mort- gagee had actual knowledge of a prior unfiled mortgage, his assignee, though he took the assignment of such second mortgage in good faith and for value, cannot avoid the prior mortgage.^'* k. Subsequent Lienors. — A person in possession of chattels, with a right to such possession, inferior only to the rights of a mortgagee thereof, where he is also a creditor of the mortgagor, is generally entitled to attack the mortgage, though he has not secured a judgment upon his debt. Thus, a subsequent mort- gagee in possession, though he did not take his mortgage in good 130. Powers v. Freeman, 2 Lans. 133. Horton v. Davis, 36 N. Y. 495; 137. Porter v. Parmley, 52 N. Y. 185 ; Pot- 131. Thompson v. Van Vechten, 37 ter v. Traders' Nat. Bank,- 70 Hun N. Y. 568; Porter v. Parmley, 52 53, 23 N. Y. Supp. 1079, af'd, 143 N. Y. 185; Best v. Staple, 61 N. Y. N. Y.'668; Clement v. Congress Hall, 71; Barker v. Doty, 4 Alb. L. J. 63; 72 Misc. 519; 132 N. Y. Supp. 16; Stevens v. Buffalo & N. Y. City R. Barker v. Doty, 4 Alb. L. J. 63 ; Wag- Co., 31 Barb. 590; Wagoner v. Jones, ner v. Jones, 7 Daly 375. 7 Daly 375. See also Clark v. McDuf- 134. David Stevenson Brewing Co. fie, 21 N, Y. Supp. 174, 49 St. Rep. v. Iba, 12 Misc. 329, 33 N. Y. Supp. 635. 642, aff'd, 155 N. Y. 224; Henry Elias 132. Best V. Staple, 61 N. Y. Brewing Co. v. Boeger, 132 N. Y- 71. Supp. 286. 86 Chattel Moetgaqes. ifaith, may, by reason of his rights as a creditor, in some cases, attack the prior mortgage. ^^^ A warehouseman, in possession of chattels with a right to sell them in discharge of his lien thereon, is regarded the same as a judgment creditor in regard to hia. right to assail the validity of a mortgage on the property. -^^^ The lien of a hoarding-house keeper is superior to an unfiled chattel mortgage. -^^^ But it has been held that an innkeeper claiming a lien is not " a creditor or subsequent purchaser or mortgagee in good faith " and not protected by the statute.^^* 1. Assignee for Creditors. — Prior to the enactment of chap- ter 314 of the Laws of 1858, an assignee for the benefit of credit- ors was in the same position as his assignor and could not avoid acts which the assignor could not avoid. He could not attack a mortgage because it was unfiled.^^^ The Act of 1858, now con- solidated in section 19 of the Personal Property Law, authorizes assignees to aoid fraudulent acts t>f their assignors. But it is held that the failure of a mortgagee to properly file his mortgage is not a fraudulent act within the statute and the assignee has no authority to attack the mortgage upon such ground,-^^" and this is especially true when the assignment is expressly made subject to the mortgage. But it has lately been held that under section 17 of the Debtor and Creditor Law as added by chapter 360 of the Laws of 1914, an assignee for creditors can attack an unfiled mortgage.^*"* m. Receiver in Supplementary Proceedings. — A receiver in. supplementary proceedings represents not a simple contract cred- itor as an assignee does, but a creditor who has procured a judg- ment upon his claim. He can maintain any action which the judgment creditor might maintain. He may attack an unfiled mortgage upon the porperty of the debtor.^^^ But where the 135. Eussell v. St. Mart, 180 N. Y. App. Div. 554, 64 N. Y. Supp. 248 ; 355. Halladay v. Worthington, 9^ Misc. 136. Industrial Loan Assoc, v. Saul, 141, 163 N. Y. Supp. 362 ; Crisfleld v. 34 Misc. 188, 68 N. Y. Supp. 837. Bogardus, 18 Abb. N. C. 334; Marsop 137. Corbett v. Cusbing, 15 Daly v. O'Neill, 1 Month. L. Bull. 67. Gom- 170, 4 N: Y. Supp. 616. pare Bowdisb v. Page, 81 Hun 170, 138. Matthews v. Victor Hotel Co., 30 N. Y. Supp. 691, af'd, 153 N. Y. 132 N. Y. Supp. 375. This proposi- 104. Harris v. Batjer, 26 Misc. 702» -tion, however, is of no value to the 57 N. Y. Supp. 90. mortgagee as an innkeeper's lien is 140a. Stich v, Pirkl, 100 Misc. 594, superior to a mortgage duly filed. 166 K. Y. Supp. 440. See Matthews v. Victor Hotel Co., 132 141. Stephens v. Perrine, 143 N. Y. N. Y. Supp. 375. 476; Stephens v. Meriden Britannia 139. Van Heusen v. Eadoliff, 17 Co., 160 N. Y. 178; Brunnemer v. N. Y. 580. Cook & Bernheimer, 180 N". Y. 188; 140. Sheldon V. Wickham, 161 Watson v. Dealy, 28 Misc. 544, 59 N. Y. 600 ; Dorothy v. Servis, 46 Hun N. Y. Supp. 623. 628, 13 St. Rep. 1; Lain v. Sayer, 50 Filing. 8T mortgagee takes possession of tlie property before the creditor procures a judgment or attachment against the property, the receiver cannot maintain an action at law for the conversion thereof; "^ his remedy is a suit in equity to set aside the transfer "which prevents him from taking possession of the property. If the property has been consumed or for any reason cannot be identified or followed, he can, in the same suit, compel those legally responsible to account for it and pay over the value thereof to the extent necessary to satisfy the debts represented by him.'^** n. Receiver of Corporation. — There is authority to the effect that the receiver of a corporation, under section 19 of the Per- sonal Property Law (formerly chapter 314 of the Laws of 1858), may maintain an action to set aside a mortgage executed by the corporation, but not seasonably filed.^** It has been held in the Federal courts that a receiver of a corporation appointed in a suit in equity to sequestrate and distribute the assets of the cor- poration, may attack a mortgage on the ground that it was not properly filed under the State statute.^*" o. Trustee or Receiver in Bankruptcy. — Under sections 47, 67 and 70 of the Bankruptcy Act a trustee in bankruptcy is invested with power to attack a chattel mortgage on the ground that it was not properly filed, though the creditors he represents have not procured judgments.^*" A different rule prevailed under the former Bankruptcy Act.^*' 142. Stephens v. Meriden Britannia 144. Rudd V. Robinson, 54 Hun 339, Co., 160 N. Y. 178. 7 N. Y. Supp. 535, rev'd on other 143. Stephens v. Perrine, 143 N. Y. grounds, 136 N. Y. 113. The correct- 476, Stephens v. Meriden Britannia ness of this decision may be disputed. Co., 160 N. Y. 178; Brunnemer v. ^^ Sheldon t;. Wickham 161 N. Y. _ ' . „ , . \oA •NT V loQ 'S'"'- ^^ *'»o Farmers' L. & T. Co. Cook & Bernheimer 180 N. Y. 188. ^ ^^ ^^ ^^^_ ^g j^ ^ Suit by Receiver for Accounting. — ggg A receiver, appointed in proceedings n^. Bell v. New York Safety supplementary to an execution issued Steam Power Co., 183 Fed. 274. on a judgment against a mortgagor 146. Skilton v. Codington, 185 N. Y. of chattels, may maintain a suit for 80; Titusville Iron Co. V. City of New an accounting by the mortgagee who York, 207 N. Y. 203. See also Gove has sold the mortgaged goods and be- "• Morton Trust Co., 96 App. Div. 177, oome the purchaser, upon the ground »? NY. Supp. 247 ; Stick v. Perkl, ,,..,, .J V 100 Misc. 594, 166 N. Y. Supp. 440. that the mortgage was void because ,._ „, ' _, ,, /J, _. „ ,/.?;, T. 1*7. Stewart v. Piatt, 101 U. S. not properly filed. Brunnemer v. 731 ; skilton t). Codington, 185 N. Y. Cook & Bernheimer, 180 N. Y. go. gee also In re Leland, Fed. Cas.' 188. 8.234. 10 Blatohf. 503. 88 Chattel Moetgages. It has been held that a receiver in bankruptcy also may assail a chattel mortgage given by the bankrupt where it was not sea- sonably filed.^** Sec. 12. Effect of Transfer of Chattels. a. To Mortgagee. — Except as limited by the bankruptcy act and other special statutes, a debtor has the right to transfer his property to one creditor, giving such creditor a preference to the exclusion of his other creditors. Thus, where a mortgagee has failed to properly file his mortgage, if, before any lien upon the mortgaged property has been acquired by a creditor or person who may attack the mortgage, the mortgagor voluntarily transfers the mortgaged property to the mortgagee in payment of the debt or satisfaction of the mortgage, the mortgagee thereby acquires a good title to the property.^*" Where, before a creditor obtains 148. In re Schmidt, 181 Fed. 73. 149. Tremaine v. Mortimer, 138 N. Y. 1; Karst v. Gane, 136 N. Y. 316; Stephens v. Perrine, 143 N. Y. 476; Bowdish v. Page, 153 N. Y. 104; Schwarzsehild & S. Co. v. Mathews, 39 App. Div. 477, 57 N. Y. Supp. 338; Castleman v. Pryor, 55 App. Div. 515, 67 N. Y. Supp. 229, aff'd, 168 N. Y. 354; McDonald v. City Trust, Safe Deposit & Surety Co., 39 Misc. 552, 80 N. Y. Supif, ^05 J Barrett V. Mack,, 64 Miao. 333, 118 N. Y. Supp. 538; Halladay v. Worthington, 99 Miea 141, 163 N. Y. Supp. 363; Blumenthal V. Lynch, 25 Abb. N. C. 85; Eeynoldfl V. Webb, 166 N. Y. Supp. 668. See also Wild V. Porter, 59 App. Div. 350, 69 N. Y. Supp. 839, aff'd, 173 N. Y, 614, mem.; Donohue v. Jackson, 15 N. Y. Supp. 458, 39 St. Hep. 916. Sights of Creditors. — In Tremaine V. Mortimer, 138 N. Y. 1, the court eaid : " While the mortgage is void as to creditors, they cannot touch the property until they come with an execution. As between the mortgagor and the creditors, if the latter can claim that the mortgage had no exist- ence, so also can the former make ithe same claim. They cannot at the same time assert its invalidity and validity. They cannot seize the prop- erty as belonging to the mortgagor, and at the same time deny that he has any title to the property. They must constantly stand upon the position that the mortgage is a null- ity. As between them and the mort- gagor, both parties have the right to act as if the mortgage had never existed, and before the creditors ob- tain a lien on the property by virtue of their executions, the mortgagor may deal with the same in any honest way. He may sell it and con- vey an absolute title, subject to any rights the mortgagee has; or he can deliver the property to the mortgagee in payment of the debt secured by the mortgage, or the mortgagee can release the debt, with or without pay- ment, and thus invest him with an absolute title, and the creditors will have no legal ground of complaint." A transfer by one of two or more partners is sufficient to convey a good title to the mortgagee. Schwarzsehild & S. Co. V. Mathews, 39 App. Div» 477, 57 N. Y. Supp. 338. Filing. 89 a judgment, the mortgagor delivers the mortgaged property to the mortgagee as a pledge for the security of his debt, the pledge is effectual as against the creditors of the mortgagor though the mortgage was not properly filed, and the fact that the mortgagee, upon receiving the pledge, at once filed his mortgage and after- wards attempted to sell under it, -will not make the pledge void, and he may hold thereunder, though the attempted sale under the mortgage was void.^°° Where an attachment upon mortgaged property was vacated and, before a second was issued, the mort- gagor sold and delivered to the mortgagee sufficient of the prop- erty to pay the debt, it was held that the sale was valid, though made hastily and without explanation. One may be hasty in paying an honest debt.^^^ But, if the mortgagee of an unfiled mortgage acquires the mortgaged property, not by a voluntary transfer by the mortgagor, but by a seizure or foreclosure under the mortgage, the mort- gagee's title is still subject to the claims of creditors.^^^ In such case, however, the creditor cannot maintain an action at law against the mortgagee for the conversion of the mortgaged chattels, but must sue in equity to set aside the transfer as an obstruction to the collection of his debt.^" b. To Bona Fide Purchaser. — Where a mortgagee takes pos- session of the property by virtue of the mortgage, advertises it for sale and sells it to a hona fide purchaser before the creditor of the mortgagor has acquired any lien upon or interest in the property by virtue of legal proceedings, such purchaser obtains a valid title which he can maintain against a receiver of the prop- 150. Blumenthal v. Lynch, 25 Abb. before the creditor has acquired his N. C. 85, 11 N. Y. Supp. 382. judgment and power thereby to have 151. Thompson v. Fuller, 8 N. Y. a lien upon the property, yet when Supp, 62, 28 St. Eep. 4. he has secured a judgment and put 152. Stephens v. Perrine, 143 N. Y. himself in a position to have a lien 476; Russell v. St. Mart, 180 N. Y. upon the property, he may treat the 355 ; Matter of Munson, 70 Misc. 461, transfer and foreclosure proceedings 128 N. Y. Supp. 1106. as nullities and maintain the proper Hights of Creditor. — An unfiled proceedings for the satisfaction of chattel mortgage is void as to simple his <;laim. Matter of Munson, 70 contract creditors as well as to judg- Misc. 461, 128 N. Y. Supp. 1106, ment creditors, and even though pro- 153. Stephens v. Meriden Britannia ceedings be had and the property sold Co., 160 N. Y. 178. 90 Chattel Moetgages. erty of the mortgagor appointed in proceedings supplementary to execution, instituted upon a judgment recovered against him.^°* c. To Assignee for Creditors. — Where a mortgage is unfiled and, therefore, void as to creditors but the creditors of the mort- gagor fail to avail themselves of their right to attack the mort- gage until he makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, they lose their right to levy upon his property, and the assignee takes rights superior to individual creditors and in trust for all the creditors."" 154. Merry v. Wilcox, 92 Hun 210, St. Eep. 1 ; Tremaine v. Mortimer, 128 36 N. Y. Supp. 1050. N. Y. 1 ; Bowdish v. Page, 153 N. Y. 155. Kitchen v. Lowery, 127 N. Y. 104. 5-3; Dorthy v. Servis, 46 Hua 628, 13 Chattel Mobtgages. 9i CHAPTER VI. REFILING. Sec. 1. Statute. a. In General. b. Object of Statute. c. Construction of Statute. 2. Necessity. a. In General. b. Corporate Mortgages. c. Mortgages on Canal Boats. 3. Time of Eeflling. 4. Statement of Interest of Mortgagee. 5. By Whom Refiled. 6. Effect of Failure. a. As to Creditors, Subsequent Purchasers or Mortgagees. b. As between Parties. 7. Who May Attack Mortgage for Failure. a. In General. b. Creditor. c. Purchaser or. Mortgagee. d. Purchaser or Mortgagee within Year. e. Purchaser or Mortgagee from Third Party. f. Purchaser or Mortgagee for Antecedent Debt. g. Purchaser or Mortgagee with Actual Notice, h. Purchaser at Execution Sale. i. Tortfeasor Paying Judgment for Conversion. j. Receiver. k. Trustee in Bankruptcy. 8. Change of Possession in Lieu of Refiling. 9. New Mortgage in Lieu of Refiling. Sec. 1. Statute. a. In General. — During the thirty days preceding the expira- tion of a year from the original filing of a chattel mortgage, if* the mortgagee does not take possession of the goods, he must, to preserve his lien thereon, cause the same to be renewed or refiled. Section 235 of the Lien Law provides therefor, as follows: ''A chattel mortgage, except as otherwise provided in this article, shall be invalid as against creditors of the mortgagor, and against subsequent purchasers or mortgagees in good faith, after the expiration of the first or any succeeeding term of one year, reck- oning from the time of the first filing, unless, 9^ Chattel Mortgages. 1. Withia thirty days next preceding the expiration of eack such term, a statement containing a description of such mortgage, the names of the parties, the time when and place where filed, the interest of the mortgagee or any person who has succeeded to his interest in the property claimed by virtue thereof, or 2. A copy of such mortgage and its indorsements, together with a statement attached thereto or indorsed thereon, showing the interest of the mortgagee or of any person who has succeeded to his interest in the mortgage, is filed in the proper office in the city or town where the mortgagor then resided, if he is then a resident of the town or city where a mortgage or a copy thereof or such statement was last filed; if not such resident, but a resident of the state, a true copy of such mortgage, together with such state- ment, shall be filed in the proper office of the town oj* city where he then resides; and if not a resident of the state, then in the proper office of the city or town where the property so mortgaged was at the time of the execution of the mortgage. Where the chattels mortgaged were located in the city of !N"ew York at the time of the execution of the mortgage, a copy of such mortgage and its indorsements together with a statement attached thereto, or indorsed thereon, showing the interest of the mortgagee or of any person who has succeeded to his interest in the mortgage, must be filed in the same office or offices where the original mort- gage or a copy thereof was filed at the time of tJie execution of the same ; provided, however, that where the mortgagor was a resident of tihe borough of the Bronx in the city of "^ew York at the time of the execution) of such mortgage, then a copy of such mortgage^ Eefiling. 92a as above described must be filed in the office of the register of the county of Bronx and eQso in the office of the register or of the county clerk, in case there is no register, of such county in said city in which the property so mortgaged was located at the time of the execution of such mortgage; if not such resident but the property so mortgaged was located in the borough of the Bronx in said city at the time of the execution of such mortgage, then a copy of such mortgage as above described must be filed in the office of the register of the county of Bronx and also in the office of the register or of the county clerk, in case there is no register, of such county in said city in which the mortgagor resided when such mortgage was executed; provided, further, that where the mortgagor was a resident of the borough of the Bronx in the city of New York at the time of the execution of such mortgage and the property so mortgaged was located in the borough of the Bronx at such time, then a copy of such mortgage as above described must be filed in the office of the register of the county of the Bronx and need not be filed in any other office, and provided further that where the vendee of a contract for the conditional sale of goods and chattels not attached to a building was a resident of the borough of the Bronx in said city of New York at the time of the execution of such contract, then a copy of such contract, together with a statement as required herein in the case of chattel mortgages, must be filed in the office of the register of the county of Bronx ; if not such resident nor a resident of. any other borough within the city of New York nor of this state at the time of the execution of such contract but the property so sold was in the borough of the Bronx 92b Chattel Mortgages. in said city wlien such contract was executed, then a copy of such contract and a statement as aforesaid must be filed in the office of the register of the county of Bronx. Except in the city of New York, the officer with whom such a renewal statement or copy of a mortgage is filed, shall upon request issue to the per^n filing the same a receipt in writing, which shall contain the names of the parties to the instrument filed, its date, amount and the date and time of filing thereof." b. Object of Statute. — The object of the statute is to furnish a fair and reasonable notice to creditors and subsequent pur- chasers, and to prevent their being misled by the possession and apparently absolute ownership of the mortgagor.^ c. Construction of Statute. — In order to maintain the valid- ity of a chattel mortgage as against creditors and subsequent purchasers and mortgagees in good faith, there must be a strict and rigid observance of the statutory requirements.* When a creditor or subsequent purchaser or mortgagee in good faith claims the property in hostility to the mortgagee, the inquiry is: 1. Patteraon v. Gillies, 64 Barb, 34 Misc. 188, 68 N. Y. Supp. 837. 563. See also supra, the section Fil- See also supra, the section Piling — inff — Purposes of Statute, p. 59. Construction of Statute, p. 60. Xhe object of the statutory pro- KefiUng of Chattels in New York vision as to a statement of the in- City. — ^Matter of Pearlman, 246 Fed. terest of the mortgagee upon a re- 874. newal is to inform creditors, pur- The statute as to refiling must be chasers, etc., of the extent of the strictly observed if the validity of mortgagee's claim under the mort- the mortg9.ge, as against creditors and gage, and thus to apprise them of the subsequent purchasers or mortgagees interest of the mortgagor which they in good faith, is to be maintained, may seek to levy upon, or give credit MeCrea v. Hopper, 35 App. Div. 573, to, or aoquirc. Beers v. Waterbury, 65 N. Y. Supp. 136; Matter of Pearl- 8 B09W. 396. man, 246 Fed. 874. 2. Industrial Loan Assoc, v. Saul, Refiling. 9^ Has the mortgagee complied witli the statute? If not, the stat- ute makes the mortgage void. The cause of the omission, whether by design or accident, is wholly immaterial.* Sec. 2. Necessity. a. In General. — As against the persons named in the statute^ the mortgagee must refile the mortgage as provided by section 235 of the Lien Law, or take possession of the property.* Even though the mortgage has become due during the year and the mortgagor is in default so that the absolute title to the mortgaged property -has vested in the mortgagee, if the mortgagee permits the mortgagor to retain possession, he must refile the mortgage.* b. Corporate Mortgages. — By statute, mortgages creating a lien upon real and personal property, executed by a corporation as security for the payment of bonds issued by such corporation, 3. Ely V. Carnley, 19 N. Y. 496. Reason for Rule.— In Porter tv 4. Ely V. Carnley, 19 N. Y. 496; Parmley, 53 N. Y. 188, the court, Sloan V. National Surety Co., 74 App. discussing the necessity for refiling- Div. 417, 77 N. Y. Supp. 428 ; Sloan after default by the mortgagor, said : V. National Surety Co., Ill App. Div. "The same reason then remains for •94, 97 N. Y. Supp. 561, aff'd, 188 refiling that existed before the for- N. Y. 596, mem. See also supra, the feiture. The mortgagor is, to the subdivision Necessity of Filing, p. — . public, the apparent owner. The 5. In re Leland, Fed. Cas. 8,234, statute requires a statement to be 10 Blatchf . 503 ; Ely V. Carnley, 19 filed, to show the true interest of the N. Y. 496 ; Porter V. Parmley, 53 parties, for the protection of the pub- N. Y. 185; Sloan V. National Surety lie. Whatever its purpose, it is Co., Ill App. Div. 94, 97 N. Y. Supp. enough that the statute so declares. 561, aifd, 188 N. Y. 596, mem.; It shall * cease to be valid ' if not re - Gould V. Browne, 4 Leg. Obs. 423; filed. Any other construction would Randall v. Dunbar, 14 Week. Dig. nullify the statute." 332. 94 Chattel Moetgages. or by any telegraph, telephone or electric light corporation, and recorded as a mortgage of real property in each county where such property is located or through which the line of such tele- graph, telephone or electric light corporation runs, need not be filed or refiled as chattel mor^ages.* This statute is discussed in another place in this work.' c. Mortgages on Canai Boats. — A special section of the Lien Law is devoted to mortgages on canal boats. It provides as follows : " Every mortgage upon a canal boat or other craft navigating the canals of this state, filed as provided in this article, shall be valid as against the creditors of the mortgagor and against subsequent purchasers or mortgagees in good faith, as long as the debt which the mortgage secures in enforceable. From the time of filing, every such mortgage shall have preference and priority over all other claims and liens, not existing at the time of such filing." The language of this section seems to render it unnec- essary to refile such a chattel mortgage, and the Attorney-General has rendered his opinion to that effect.* Sec. 3. Time of Refiling. The refiling must be within the 30 days preceding the expi- ration of one year from the original filing. A subsequent refiling does not avail the mortgagee.* A refiling before the thirty-day period is equally inefficient.^" In the early history of this statute, it was held that only one refiling was necessary,^^ but the statute now requires a refiling each subsequent year. Under section 20 of the General Construction Law, it seems that when the last day for refiling falls on Sunday or a public holiday a refiling on the following day is sufficient. 6. Lien Law, § 231. 9. Industrial Loan Assoc, v. Saul, 7. See supra, the subdivision 'Seces- 34 Mise. 188, 68 N. Y. Supp. 837; sity of Filing — Gorpcrrate Mortgages, Herden v. Walther, 9 N. Y. Supp. 926, p. 62. For further discussion of cor- 29 St. Eep. 410 ; In re N. Y. Economi- porate chattel mortgages, see supra, cal Printing Co., 110 Fed. 514; In re the subdivision Corporate Mortgages, Watts- Woodward Press, 181 Fed. p. 42. 71. 8. 1902 Attorney-General's Rep. 162. , , 10. Indvistrial Loan Assoc, v. Saul Under the Act of 1864, chap. 412, a ' 34 Misc. 188, 68 N. Y. Supp. 837; mortgage upon a canal boat was re- ^^ewell V. Warner, 44 Barb. 258, reVd quired to be filed in the ofSce of the °^ <>«>«• ^^'^^ttf^.^.T'' ^'"^ ^ ,. , ,, , , , , J ter of Pearlman, 246 Fed. 874. auditor of the canal department, and < ^^ ^^^^^^ ^ Warren, 44 N. Y. unless reflled, was void as against 34^4 . ^Visser v. O'Brien, 3 J. & S. 149. creditors, etc. Marsden v. Cornell, See also Nitohie v. Townsend, 2 Sandf. «2 N. Y. 215. 299. Eefiling. 95 Sec. 4. Statement of Interest of Mortgagee. The statute provides two methods to continue the effectiveness of a chattel mortgage. Either a copy ^^ of the mortgage or a statement describing the same may be filed. But, in either case, a statement of the present interest of the mortgagee or the holder of the mortgage must be filed. The object of the Legislature in providing for the filing of a statement of this kind V7as to apprise creditors and persons dealing with the property, from year to year, of the real interest of the mortgagee in the mortgaged property.^* The interest of the mortgagee must be stated with substantial accuracy.^* But, if the mortgagee makes a statement in good faith, with reasonable care and it is substantially accu- rate, he is deemed to have complied with the statute, though it is not entirely definite and accurate to the smallest amount. Thus, a statement to the effect that the whole amount of a $585 mortgage is due and unpaid is sufficient where only $2 has been paid.^° But where the amount due is overstated $100, the state- ment is defective.^" An understatement of the amount due does not affect the valid- ity of the mortgage as to the amount which is stated; but the mortgagee cannot, as against the parties designed to be protected 12. The filing of the original mort- 15. Patterson v. Gillies, 64 Barb, gage with an indorsement exhibiting 563, wherein the court said : " If the the interest claimed by the mortgagee mortgagee should fraudulently make is equivalent to filing a " copy." a false statement by which the Stockham v. Allard, 2 Hun 67, 4 T. & amount remaining unpaid should be C. 279. wilfully exaggerated; or should wil- 13. Scott V. 1,000 Island Boat &, fully and with a view to hinder, em- Engine Co., 134 N. Y. Supp. 150. barrass or mislead creditor or pur- A compliance with the act will give chasers, make a statement so vague the creditor full information as to the and indefinite as not to answer the. property mortgaged, the amount of substantial object and purpose of the the debt or condition of the mortgage, statute, the statement must be held and to what extent the property can insufiBcient and void. And perhaps a be made available for the payment grossly inaccurate or vague statement, of his debt. When the paper filed even without any fraudulent intent, fails to accomplish these purposes, where it appeared that the mort- it falls short of the requirement of gagee had the means of making it the statute. Ely v. Carnley, 19 N. Y. definite and accurate, might be held 496. not to be a compliance with the 14. Marsden v. Cornell, 62 N. Y. statute." 215. IG. Ely V. Carnley, 19 N. Y. 496. S6 Chattel Moetgages. by the statute, afterwards claim that any greater sum is secured by the mortgage than is mentioned in terms or by intelligible ref- erence in the statement.^' Thus, where a mortgage was given to secure the payment of certain notes and also to secure the mort- gagee against outstanding liabilities, and the statement did not refer to such liabilities, it was held that the mortgage was valid, as against subsequent purchasers, so far as the amount due upon the notes, but was not properly renewed as to any out- standing liabilities.^' A statement is sufficient which refers to a document annexed to and 'filed with it, if the two papers, read in connection with the original mortgage, disclose the interest of the mortgagee intelli- gently.^' Where the mortgagee wrote to the town clerk stating that the mortgage had not been satisfied and asking the clerk to again record the same, it was held that the letter was insufficient to constitute a proper statement.^" Where the mortgagee pro- cured an indorsement upon the mortgage originally filed of the words, " refiled and renewed," which was signed by the clerk, it was held that the statement was insufficient.^' Where the words " no interest to date " were indorsed in pencil on the copy filed as a renewal of the mortgage, it was held that the mortgagee's interest was not properly stated.^^ Sec. 5. By Whom Refiled. The statement of the renewal of a mortgage must be made by the mortgagee or his attorney. A statement by the mortgagor, or other third person, is not sufficient. ^^ But where the statement is made by the mortgagor, it may contain sufficient to constitute 17. Beers v. Waterbury, 8 Bosw. the public of the defendant's interest 396. in the property claimed by virtue 18. Beers V. Waterbury, 8 Bosw. thereof." 396. 21. Fitch v. Humphrey, 1 Denio- 19. Beers v. Waterbury, 8 Bosw. 396. 163. 20. Scott V. 1,000 Island Boat & 22. Theriot v. Prince, 1 Edm. Sel. Engine Co., 134 N. Y. Supp. 150, Cas. S19. wherein it was said: "The mere 23. Osbom v. Alexander, 40 Hun statement that the mortgage was not 323; Newell v. Warner, 44 Barb. 258, satisfied, without stating the precise rev'd on other grounds, 44 N. Y. 244. amount which would be required to See also 1902 Attorney-General's Hep., satisfy it, utterly fails in apprising 207. Eefiling. 97 a new mortgage and thus be valid from the time of its filing.^* But tie mere indorsement of a certificate or acknowledgment of the amount due upon a copy of the mortgage filed by the mort- gagor is not the execution of a new mortgage.^'^ Sec. 6. Effect of Failure. a. As to Creditors, Subsequent Purchasers or Mortgagees. — A failure to properly refile or renew a chattel mortgage renders it absolutely void as against the persons named in the statute, — creditors or subsequent purchasers or mortgagees in good faith/* As to such persons it is of no more force than if it had never ' existed.^^ b. As hetween Parties. — As between the parties thereto, a mortgage, though mot refiled, is valid/* Sec. 7. Who May Attack Mortgage for Failure. a. In General. — As a general proposition only those persons specifically mentioned in the statute can attack a mortgage for a failure to refile. °' It is not necessary that the mortgage be refiled to enable the mortgagee to maintain an action against a third person for taking the chattels from the possession of the mort- gagor within a year from the original filing.^" And it has been held that the omission to refile does not render the mortgage void as against the lien of a farmer pasturing a mortgaged horse.^^ b. Creditor. — A creditor can, as a general proposition, attack a mortgage for a failure to refile under the same circumstances as for a failure to file originally.'^ If not properly renewed, the 24. Smith v. Cooper, 22 Hun 11, 28. In re Cutting, 145 Fed. 388; holding, where the mortgagor indorsed Stewart v. Cole, 43 Hun 164; Com- on the mortgage and signed the fol- merei'al Bank of Rochester v. Davy, lowing statement: "This chattel 81 Hun 20O, 30 N. Y. Supp. 718. mortgage is hereby renewed for one 29. Wiles v. Clapp, 41 Barb. 645^ year from this date," that in legal See also supra, the subdivision Who «ffect a new mortgage was given. May Attach for Faihire to File, 25. Osborn V. Alexander, 40 Hun p. 77. 323. See also infra, the section New 30. Manning v. Monaghan, 10 Bosw. Mortgage in Lieu of Refiling, p. 105v 231, reiyd on other grounds, 28 N. Y. 26. In re Cutting, 145 Fed. 388; 585. Salmon v. Norris, 82 App. Div. 362, 31. Bissell v. Pearae, 21 How. Pk 81 N. Y. Supp. 892. 130. 27. Salmon v. Norris, 82 App. Div. 32. See swpra, p. 77. 362, 81 N. Y. Supp. 892. 7 98 Chattel Mortgages. mortgage is void as to creditors, whether judgment or simple eon- tract creditors, and whether their debts accrued before or subse- quent to the default in refiling.^^ A creditor, however, is not generally in a position to attack the mortgage until he has pro- cured a judgment and execution or some specific lien or claim upon the mortgaged chattels.^* But where the mortgagor dies and thus renders the recovery of a judgment impracticable, the mortgage may be deemed void as to a creditor though his claim is not reduced to judgment.**" And where a warehouseman has possession of the mortgaged property with a right to sell it in 33. Thompson v. Van Vechten, 27 N. y. 568; Bowdish V. Page, 81 Hun 170, 30 N. Y. Supp. 691, aff'd, 153 N. Y. 104; State Trust Co. v. Casino Co., 5 App. Div. 381, 39 N. Y. Supp. 258; Matter of Van Houten, 18 App. Div. 301, 46 N. Y. Supp. 190; Indus- trial Loan Assoc, v. Saul, 34 Misc. 188, 68 N. Y. Supp. 837; Kilburn v. Low, 12 Week. Dig. 556; Randall v. Dunbar, 14 Week. Dig. 332. Creditors of Decedent. — The omis- sion by a creditor of a decedent to refile his chattel mortgage renders its lien ineffectual as against other cred- itors. Matter of Van Houten, 18 App. Div. 301, 46 N. Y. Supp. 190. The word " creditors " includes all creditors who are such while the goods are in the possession of the mortgagor, irrespective of the time when they became such, that is, whether before or after the mortgage. Salmon V. Norris, 82 App. Div. 362, 81 N. Y. Supp. 892. Distinction Between Mortgagee and Creditor. — Though a mortgagee can- not avail himself of an omission to refile the mortgage unless he became Buch during the continuance of the default, it is otherwise of a general creditor, wlio may take advantage of BUch omission though his right ac- crued previous to the default. Thompson v. Van Vechten, 27 N. Y. 668. 34. In re N. Y. Ea>nomical Print- ing Co., 110 Fed. 514; In re Cutting, 145 Fed. 388; Bowdish v. Page, 81 Hun 170, 30 N. Y. Supp. 691, aff'd, 153 N. Y. 104; Schwab Mfg. Co. v. Aizenman, 106 App. Div. 478, 94 N. Y. Supp. 729; CuUin v. Ryder, 44 Misc. 485, 89 N, T. Supp. 465, .off'd. 111 App. Div. 911; Beetle v. Prime, S^ Misc. 668, 166 N. Y. Supp. 56, Procuring Specific Lien or Daim. — While the failure to refile a chattel mortgage renders it unenforceable as against subsequent creditors, a sub- sequent creditor must, before he is in a position to assert the unenforceabil- ity of the mortgage as against him, invoke the judicial process of the coTut, either by levying upon the property under execution or by plac- ing it in the custody of the court through the medium' \A a receiver. Schwab Mfg. Co. v. Aizenman, 106 App. Div. 478, 94 N. Y. Supp. 729. The provisions of the statute can- not be invoked by a mere' general creditor of the mortgagor whose claim; has not been reduced to the form of e. judgment, or which is not evidenced by some legal process, nor by one who does not hold the property by virtu© of a lien under which he has a right to sell it. Robinson v. Kaplan, 21 Misc. 686, 47 N. Y. Supp. 1083. 35. Matter of McGovenii 118 N. Y. Supp. 378; Beebe v. Prime, 99 Misc. 668, 166 N. Y. Supp. 56. Refilixg. 99 discharge of his lien thereon, he is regarded as a judgment cred- , itor in respect to assailing the mortgage.^" A creditor taking possession of the mortgaged property under a second chattel mortgage may also be in a position to attack the prior mortgage.^' c. Purchaser or Mortgagee. — A mortgage not properly renewed is void as against a subsequent purchaser or mortgagee in good faith who takes his conveyance during the default.^* The cognate question of purchasers and mortgagees attacking a mortgage for failure to file is discussed in another place.'" d. Purchaser or Mortgagee Within Year. — The term " sub- sequent " as used in section 235 of the Lien Law means after the time for refiling has passed/" Thus a purchaser or mortgagee of the property within one year from the original filing cannot attack the mortgage -for failure to refile.*^ e. Purchaser or Mortgagee from Third Party. — The term " purchasers," as used in the statute, is not expressly limited to purchasers from the mortgagor.*^ Thus, though a purchaser taking his conveyance before the expiration of a year from the original filing cannot attack the mortgage, a horva fide purchaser or mortgagee, after the year, from such purchaser will acquire a good title as against the mortgagee/' The first purchaser can thus convey a better title than he himself had/* And, where a second mortgage is given within a year after the filing of the first which was not properly refiled, on a sale under the second mort- gage after the year, the purchaser takes a title superior to the first.*'' So, a subsequent purchaser with actual knowledge thereof 36. State Trust Co. v. Casino Co., App. Div. 478, 94 N. Y. Supp. 729; 5 App. Div. 381, 39 N. Y. Supp. 258; WolflF v. Eausch, 22 Misc. 108, 48 Industrial Loan Assoc, v. Saul, 34 N. Y. Supp. 716; Latimer v. Wheeler, Misc. 188, 68 N. Y. Supp. 837. 30 Barb. 485, aff'd, 3 Abb. Dec. 35; 37. See Russell v. St. Mart, 180 Wiles v. Clapp, 41 Barb. 645 ; Wray v. N. Y. 355. Pederke, 11 J. & S. 335; Shutter v. 38. Gibson v. Ferris, 30 St. Eep. Ward, 16 Week. Dig. 69. 663, 9 N. Y. Supp. 525. 42. Dillingham «. Bolt, 37 N. Y. 198. 39. See supra, p. — . 43. Dillingham v. Bolt. 37 N. Y. 40. Meech v. Patchin, 14 N. Y. 71. 198 ; Jaqueth v. Merritt, ,29 Hun 584 ; 41. Meech v. Patchin, 14 N. Y. 71; Beskin v. Tergenspan, 32 App. Div. Thompson v. Van Vechten, 27 N. Y. 29, 52 N. Y. Supp. 750. Compare 568; Dillingham v. Bolt, 37 N. Y. Wiles v. Clapp, 41 Barb. 645. 198 ; Jaqueth v. Merritt, 29 Hun 584 ; 44. Dillingham «. Bolt, 37 N. Y. 198. Schwab Mfg. Co. v. Aizenman, 106 45. Jaqueth v. Merritt, 39 Hun 584. 100 Chattel Moetgages. is not in a position to attack a prior mortgage, but this does not prevent him from giving to a purchaser from him, ignorant of the existence of the mortgage, vsrho pays a valuable consideration for the chattel, a title free from the operation of the mortgage.*" Upon the death of the mortgagor, a purchaser in good faith from his executor, administrator or person succeeding to the mort- gagor's equity of redemption, may attack a mortgage not refiled.*' f. Purchaser or Mortgagee for Antecedent Debt. — A pur- chaser or mortgagee of chattels where the sole consideration for the conveyance is an antecedent debt is not a purchaser in good faith and cannot attack the mortgage for failure to refile.** g. Purchaser or Mortgagee with Actual Notice. — A subse- quent purchaser or mortgagee, with actual knowledge of a prior mortgage upon the property cannot be considered a purchaser in good faith and cannot avoid the mortgage because the mortgagee neglected to properly refile the same.*' To charge a purchaser of mortgaged property, as subordinate to the mortgage, on the ground of actual notice where the purchase is made after the expiration of the one year and no renewal is filed, it is not enough to show that the purchaser knew of the original mortgage; it must be shown that, when he purchased after the expiration of 46. Marsden v. Cornell, 62 N. Y. first mortgagee testified that, Ix ire 215. the second took their mortgage, he 47. Fox V. Burns, 13 Barb. 677. told their agent that he held a mort- 48. Jones v. Graham, 77 N. Y. 638 ; gage upon the' property and the Wiles V. Clapp, 41 Barb. 645. See amount that was due upon it, and also supra, the subdivision Pur- the mortgagor testified that he in- chaser or Mortgagee on Account of formed the second mortgagees, when Precedent Debt, p. 83. the mortgage was given, that the 49. Hill V. Beebe, 13 N. Y. 556 Lewis V. Palmer, 28 N. Y. 271 Gildersleeve v. Landon, 73 N. Y. 609 prior mortgage was unpaid, and the agent of the second mortgagees ad- mitted that he knew of the former Mack V. Phelan, 92 N. Y. 20; McCrea mortgage but not of its amount, and V. Hopper, 35 App. Div. 572, 55 N. Y. the subsequent mortgagees admitted Supp. 136; CuUen v. Ryder, 44 Misc. that they had knowledge of the mort- .485, 89 N. Y. Supp. 465, aff'd, 111 gage but not that it was unpaid, it App. Div. 911 ; Beers v. Waterbury, 8 was held that the evidence was suf- Bosw. 396; Wray v. Federke, 11 J. & ficient to sustain a finding that the S. 335; Gregory v. Thomas, 20 Wend. subsequent mortgagees took their 17. mortgage with actual knowledge of Sufficient Evidence of Notice. — the former. McCormiek v. Venable, Where, in a contest between two 12 N. Y. Supp. 152, 34 St. Rep. mortgagees of the same property, the 717. Eefilestg. 101" ■■ the year, he knew or had notice that the mortgage -debtiMS^^^/V/"!^, been paid."" Where, at the time a chattel mortgage p^ini^wsii,\^^ the mortgagee is informed by the mortgagor that theip » a pT" mortgage upon the property, but that it is invalid orilsalisfi^^ becomes the duty of the mortgagee to make further iii^^y an if he neglects to do so and it develops that the former inc&^g§H^' is a valid subsisting lien, the subsequent mortgage will not have a preference on the ground that the prior mortgage was not refiled.°^ But if, at the time of the execution of the subsequent mortgage, more than a year has expired since the filing of the prior mortgage and the mortgagee thereof has made no attempt to refile or renew the same the subsequent mortgagee may prop- erly rely upon the mortgagor's statement that the prior mortgage has been paid. In such a case, the mortgagee, by failing to refile, says in effect, that the mortgage has been discharged, or at least that it is invalid as to subsequent purchasers or mortgagees.'^ h. Purchaser at Execution Sale. — Where a creditor of a mortgagor levies upon and sells the mortgaged property under an execution, the purchaser succeeds to the rights of the creditor and, though he has knowledge of the mortgage, he may attack the same, if the mortgagee has omitted the duty of refiling.'* But where the sale is made expressly subject to the lien of the mort- gage, the purchaser takes subject to the mortgage and cannot object to the mortgagee's failure to refile.'* i. Tortfeasor Paying Judgment for Conversion. — A person who pays a judgment rendered against him for the conversion of a chattel acquires title to the chattel, but he is not a purchaser in good faith within the meaning of the chattel mortgage statute and cannot attack a prior mortgage on the ground that it was 50. Power v. Freeman, 3 Lans. 127. 52. Salmon v. Norris, 83 App. Div. Notice of the facts, to render a, 362, 81 N. Y. Supp. 892.