THE LORD O'NEILL.
77
that time the Ghackamaxon failed to pay any attention to the movements of the Columbia, and wholly disregarded her obligation to avoid her. There is nothing in the record which warrants us in disturbing this conclusion. The evidence is that the Columbia did all in her power to avoid collision after she had sufficient rea· Bon to suppose that the Shackamaxon would not fulfill the ob· ligation resting upon her. The decrees are affirmed, with interest to the appellee, and costs of the district court and of this court, with instructions to the district court accordingly. THE LORD O'NEILL. THE PEERLESS v. EASTON & McMAHON TRANSP. CO. et aL (Olrcuit Oourt ot Appeals, Fourth Oircuit. February 5, 1895.) No. 101. CoLLISION-RESPONSIllILITY OF VESSEL IN GREATER FAULT.
The tug P. was proceeding up Chesapeake Bay with tour barges In tow. The night was dark but clear, and all the lights ot tug and tow were burning brightly. The steamship L., which was proceeding down the bay at full speed, at a distance of nearly or quite halt a mile to the westward of the tug, when nearly abreast ot the tug, SUddenly, and without apparent reason, changed her course, and ran into and sank the first barge. Before the steamer's change ot course there was no reason to apprehend a collision, and, after such change, there was no way ot avoiding it. The tug, on observing the steamer's change of course, sounded a danger signal. The only fault attributed to the tug was her failure to give the passing signal, which her captain testified he omitted because he did not think the steamer was within halt a mile ot him. Held, that the gross and culpable negligence of the steamer was the prOXimate cause ot the injury, and that she should be charged with the whole damage, the omission of the tug to give the passing signal being so slight a fault, under the circumstances, and contributing so little to the disaster, as not to be entitled to consideration.
Appeal from the District Court of the United States for the District of Maryland. This was a libel by the Easton & McMahon Transportation Com· pany against the steamship Lord O'Neill and the steam tug Peerless, to recover for the loss of libellant's barge. The district court found both vessels in fault, and ordered the damages to be divided. The claimants of the Peerless appeal. Robert H. Smith, for appellant. Henry Stockbridge, Jr., for Easton & McMahon Transp. Co. J. Wilson Leakin, for the Lord O'Neill. Before GOFF and SIMONTON, Circuit Judges, and BRAWLEY, Distriot Judge. BRAWLEY, District Judge. The steam tug Peerless, having In tow four barges laden with coal, was proceeding up the Ohesapeake Bay on the night of the 6th of July, 1893, when at a point abreast -of the mouth of the Potomac river, at about half past 9 o'clock, the British steamship Lord O'Neill, going down the bay, col·
78
FEDERAL REPORTER,
vol. 66.
li(led, with and Mamie A. Brady, one of the barges in tow, the owner of which has libeled both tug and steamship. at fault, has adjudged that The court below, holding both to the damages be divided, and from this decree the owners of the Peerless have appealed. There has been no appeal on the part of the steamship. In the opinioJ;l of tbe district judge, "the steamship was evidently grossly.in fault." The only fault alleged against the tug was her failure to sound the. passing signal as required by rule 6 of regulations prescribed by the supervising inspectors of that department, which is as follows: "The signals, by blowing of the steam-whistle, shall be given and answered by pilots, in compliance with these rules, not only when meeting 'head and head,' or nearly so, but at all times when passing or meeting at a distance within half a mile of each other,. and whether passing to the starboard or port."
In cases of collision, where there is conflict of testimony, the opinion of the (listrict judge upon questions of fact should be, and nearly always is, cortrolling, for he has had the advantage of seeing the witnesses face to face; and where, a.s in the case before us, the district judge is uncommonly careful, learned, and conscientious, it is with regret that we find ourselves compelled to a different conclusion. Inasmuch as the testimony of one important witness was taken in 1he circuit court of appeals, subsequent to his decree, it may be that his judgment would have been different had this witness been ex:amined befote him. Be that as it may, we cannot find in the record sufficient proof of fault upon the part of the tug Peerless to render it liable for one-half of the damages, while we do find such manifest, culpable, and inexcusable negligence on the part of the steamship as to render it responsible for the entire loss. ')'he testimony shows that the tug was moving at the rate of about three miles an hour against the tide, the barges being towed with a haws!)r astern the Peerless, the Mamie A. Brady being the leading barge in the tow, the Roselle, the Wister, and the Frank Thomson following in the order named, in a straight line. The length of the hawser between the Peerless and the Brady was about 420 feet, the other barges following and being from 300 to 350 feet apart. It is satisfactorily established that the night, and a good night for seeing lights, and that though dark, was all the lights upon the tug boat and the barges were burning brightly. The master and lookout on the tug, and the masters of all the barges, all agree substantially that they saw the masthead and red lights of the steamship a long way off, and well on to their port bows. The master and lookout of the tug, and the master of the second barge, testify that, if the steamship had not changed her course, she would have passed them at least a half mile to the westward. From the testimony of the masters of the other barges, it would appear that the distance was not so great. However that may be,the conclusion is irresistible that, up to the time when the steamship was nearly abreast the tug, she was at such a distance to westward that if she had kept her course there would have been no danger of collision, for all the witnesses agree that up to that
79
time her port light only was visible. Had she been approaching the tug head on, or nearly so, some of the witnesses on the tug or barges would have seen both port and starboard lights. They were watching her from the time she was three miles off until she came about abreast of the tug, and all that time she showed only her red light Two witnesses only were examined in behalf of the steamship,the pilot and the third mate. The lookout was not produced. The pilot was over 70 years of age, and very deaf. The mate was 22 years old. It is impossible to gather from their testimony any intelligible explanation of the cause of the collision. In contradiction of all the other witnesses, they claim that the night was hazy and rainy, and that just before the collision a squall came up, shutting out all lights. If this were true, then the steamship could not be acquitted of gross negligence in going at full speed along a route where vessels of all kinds were frequently passing and repassing; but the overwhelming weight of the testimony seems to be against this contention, and we are compelled to give preferable credence to the witnesses examined in behalf of the tug. From their evidence certain leading facts seem to be established. They are: First, that with respect to lights no fault is imputable to tug or tow; second, that the steamship, from the time she was first observed until she was nearly abreast of the tug, was moving on a course which, if continued, would have carried her well off to the westward of the tug and tow, at a distance from them of from 300 yards to a half mile; third, that, when nearly abreast the tug, the steamship, going at the rate of nine and one-half knots an hour, about her full speed, for some unaccountable and inexplicable reason, changed her course abruptly and rapidly, and moved down on the barge, striking her with her starboard bow; fourth, that prior to that sudden change of course there was no reason to apprehend collision, and after such change there was no means of avoiding it; fifth, that after the change of course, the tug did all that could be done by blowing a danger signal and stopping. The only fault charged against the tug is the failure to blow the passing signal, as required by rule 6, when passing "head and head," or when vessels pass within half a mile of each other. The master of the tug says that he did not give this signal, because he did not consider the steamship to be within a half-mile distance. The lookout on the tug gives like testimony as to the distance, and Williams, the master of the second barge, says that "if the steamship had not changed her course she would have passed them at least a half mile." Inasmuch as the steamship likewise failed to blow the passing signal, it may be assumed that she did not consider herself within the half-mile distance. If the testimony on this point is sufficient to raise a doubt as to whether rule 6 was applicable, this would eliminate every possible ground upon which the tug could be held liable. ''Where a fault is charged against one vessel in relation to which the testimony is doubtful, and there is undisputed testimony as to the fault of the other, which is flagrant, the former vessel will Bot be charged with contributory neg-
FEDERAL ;REPORTER,
ligence." The Manistee, 7 Biss. 35, Fed. Cas. No. 9,028. But we will not let our decision rest upon so narrow a margin. If it be true, as found by the district judge, that the steamship was "grossly in fault," and if it be true, as we find, that the immediate cause of the injury was the inexplicable and culpable change of course by the steamship after she came abreast of the tug, the omission to blow the passing signal bears so little proportion to the flagrant faults of the steamship, and CO:ltributed so little to the disaster, that it is not entitled to consideration. The proximate cause of the injury is the first and main question to be determined in fixing and apportioning the liability, and finding, as we do, that the immediate cause of the collision was the change of course after the tug was passed, the misconduct of the steamship is not alleviated by proof of some omission to do an act which had no direct connection with such misconduct. "'"'here fault is clearly shown on one side, full proof should be required to shield from liability the party guilty of such fault, and it should appear that the alleged contributory negligence had, or probably might have had, something to do with the act which produced the injury. The object in requiring the whistle to be blown by vessels approaching each other within a certain distance is obviously to notify of the approach, and to give notice as to which side they will pass. If that knowledge is obtained in any other way, the office of the signal is accomplished. In the case before us the steamship had passed the tug at a safe distance. The collision was due, and solely due, to her failure to observe the two bright white lights, which, by the exigency of section 4233 of the Revised Statutes (rule 6), a towing vessel is required to carry vertically at her masthead, and the lights upon the barges, all of which, according to the testimony, were burning brightly, and to the sudden change of course upon the part of· the steamship. The blowing of the passing signal by the tug could not have informed, and was not intended to inform, the steamship that the tug had the barges in tow. It could not have prevented the change of course or checked the speed of the steamship, which was the primary and immediate cause of the collision, and therefore did not cootribute to it. In Perkins v. Hercules, 1 Fed. 925; The Margaret v. The C. Whiting, 3 Fed. 870; The Buckeye, 9 Fed. 666,-it was held that the failure of the sail vessels to show lighted torches, as required by section 4234 of the Revised Statutes, did not relieve the steam vessels colliding with them, after sunset, from liability. See, also, The Farragut, 10 Wall. 334. The facts in this case readily distinguisp. it from The Connecticut, 103 U. S. 710, and The Manitoba, 122 p .. S. 97,.7 Sup. Ct. 1158, cited in support of th.e decree of the district court. It is therefore ordered that the said decree be reversed, and the case remp.nded to the district court, with instructions to enter a judgment against the steamship Lord O'Neill for the entire loss occasioned by the collision, and for the costs.
WILSON V. SMITH.
81
WILSON v. SlUTH. (CIrcuit Court, E. D. Pennsylvania. January 22, 1895.) No. 44. 1. REMOVAL OF CAUSES-DIVERSE CITIZENSHIP-ExECUTORS.
The citizenship of parties which determines the right to remove a cause to a federal court is that of the parties as persons, and not an official citizenship, acquired in a representative capacity. The right to remove a cause from a state to a federal court cannot be defeated by the fact that the form in which the suit has been brought, under a state statute, is one in which the federal court cannot entertain it, if, in any form, the federal court would have jurisdiction; but its dis· position, under the forms of federal procedure, will be determined by the essential character of the case.
2.
SAME-FORM OF ACTION.
Sur Motion to Remand to State Court. On December 5, 1894, the plaintiff, James H. Wilson, filed a statement of demand upon the defendant, Thomas B. Smith, executor of the last will and testn.ment of Samuel Harlan, Jr., deceased, in the court of common pleas No. 2 of Philadelphia county, Pa. He Bought to recover of the defendant the sum of $4,000, with interest thereon from February 12, 1883, upon a cause of action based upon the following clause in the will of the said Samuel Harlan, Jr.: "To my nephew James H. "Tilson, son of my deceased sister Harriett, I give $4,000." The said bequest was further confirmed by the language of a codicil attached to the said will, which will was duly probated in the city of Wilplington, DeL, the alleged domicile of the testator, on the 12th day of February, 1883, and letters testamentary were issued to the said Thomas B. Smith, executor. It was further averred that on May 28, 1883, the said will was duly registered in the office of the register of wills for the county of Philadelphia, and ancillary letters were issued thereon, under and in pursuance of the act of assembly of Pennsylvania of March 15, 1832, to the said Thomas B. Smith, and security was entered in the sum of $174,000. By virtue of the authority thus given, the said defendant possessed himself of assets of the said decedent to an amount exceeding the sum of $75,000. Plaintiff averred that the defendant never filed any account or inventory and appraisement in said jurisdiction of the estate which had thus come into his hands, and,although said estate was more than sufficient to pay the legacy above mentioned, yet he had never paid the same or any part thereo·f to said plaintiff, although frequently asked so to do. On December 5, 1894, a rule to plead was filed, and on the 14th of same month the defendant filed a petition and bond to remove the suit to the circuit court of the United States for the Eastern district of Pennsylvania under the act of A.ugust 13, 1888.
Curtis & Lister, for the motion. ing acts (except that of 1875), relating to the removal of causes from the state into the federal courts, no cause could be removed into the latter of which they had not original jurisdiction. Smith v. Rines, 2 Sumn. 338, J;'ed. Cas. No. 13,100; Gaines v. Fuentes, 92 U. S. 10. So under the acts of March 3,1887, and Aug. 13, 1888. Reed v. Reed, 31 Fed. 49; In re Cille;lT, 58 Fed. 977. The right ot removal on the ground of adverse citizenship is limited by the latter act to suits of a civil nature at common law and in equity. The suit removed is a special action, brought to recover a legacy, under the act of assembly of the state of Pennsylvania approved February 24, 1834 (P. L. p. 70, § 50). Van Nordon v. Morton, 99 U. S. 378. A.n action at common law cannot be maintained to recover a general legacy. The remedy is solely in equity. Jones v. Tanner, 7 Barn. & C. 542. The defendant, for the purposes of this suit, is a citizen of Pennsylvania. It has been uniformly held that under the Judicia.ry act of 1789 and succeed-
v.66F.no.2-6
82
R. L. Ashhurst, opposed. The citizenship of executors or administrators Is determined by the state in which they are citizens, and not by the state in which they take out letters. Amory v. Amory, 95 U. S. 186; Geyer v. Insurance Co., 50 N. H. 224; Coal Co. v. Blachford, 11 Wall. 172. The right of removal is not affected by the circumstance that the action in the state court is based upon a statute of the state. Gaines v. Fuentes, 92 U. S. 10; Fuller v. Wright, 23 Fed. 833; Searl v. School Dist., 124 U. S. 197, 8 Sup. Ct. 460.
DALLAS, Circuit ,Judge. This case was originally brought in a court of Pennsylvania by a citizen of that state. The defendant, a citizen of Delaware, caused its removal to this court. The plaintiff insists that it should be remanded, and upon two grounds, with reference to which his motion to that end will be decided. 1. It is asserted that the defendant, who is sued as executor, "having come into this state, and having taken out ancillary letters, is, for the purpose of this suit, a citizen of Pennsylvania, and there is no diverse citizenship as required by the act.". This proposition is in conflict with the law as settled by the highest authority. "Where the jurisdiction of the courts of the United States depends upon the citizenship of the parties, it has reference to the parties as persons. A petition for removal must, therefore, state the personal citizenship of the parties, and not their official citizenship, if there can be such a thing." Amory v. Amory, 95 U. S. 187. 2. It is further contended that, notwithstanding the diverse citizenship of the parties, this suit is one of which a circuit court of the United States bas not jurisdiction. It is an action, in common-law form, for the recovery of a legacy. It was brought in conformity with a statute of the state of Pennsylvania which authorizes such actions. Act Feb. 24, 1834 (P. L. p. 83, § 50); Purd. Dig. p. 449, pI. 215. Witbout this statute, a proceeding in accordance with chancery methods would have been the only available one in the state court. It, however, only provided a new form of remedy; the tribunal remained the same, and its jurisdiction was not extended or altered. In Pennsylvania the same courts administer both law and equity, and whether any particular case is of the one class or the other is not a question of jurisdiction, but of form merely. Adams v. Beach, 1 Phila. 101. Accordingly, those courts have held that cases under this particular statute are, substantially, suits in equity. Seibert v. Butz, 9 Watts, 494; Dunlop v. Bard, 2 Pen. & W. 309. Tbe subject-matter of the present litigation is within this court's jurisdiction in equity, but not at law; and inasmuch as here the distinction between equity and law cannot (as in the Pennsylvania courts) be disregarded, nor the principles and remedies peculiar to either system be applied under the other, it is contended that this cause has been transferred to a court which, as a court of equity, cannot entertain it, because it is an action at law, and which, as a court of law. cannot take cognizance of it, for want of jurisdiction. This contention involves the acceptance of a consequence, which, as I ventured to suggest upon the argument, seems to be inadmissible. That a state, by simply prescribing a peculiar form of procedure for its own courts, may, in
LITTLE ROCK JUNCTION RY. fl. PURKE.
83
any case, divest the rightful jurisdiction of those of the United States, is a doctrine to which I am .wholly unable to assent, and which does not appear to be supported by any precedent or authority. The act of congress of 1888 (25 Stat. 433) provides that any suit of a civil nature, at law or in equity, may be removed, whereever the sum in dispute amounts to $2,000, and the controversy is between citizens of different states; and the right thus accorded pertains to all proceedings of a civil nature, of whatever form, provided they are suits at law 01' in equity. Any case which in the state court was either the one or the other of those becomes, upon its proper removal to a circuit court of the United States, cognizable by it. Fuller v. Wright, 23 Fed. 833; In re Cilley, 58 Fed. 987; Clark v. 13 Pet. 203; Parker v. Overman, 18 How. 141; Thompson v. Railroad Co., 6 Wall. 138; Searl v. School Dist., 124 U. S. 197, 8 Sup. Ct. 460. Whether the jurisdiction of this court is upon its law side or its equity side will be determined "by the essential character of the case," but the right of removal is not affected by any such question. That right exists if, upon either side, the requisite jurisdiction exists. Where a cause brought here by removal cannot be entertained upon the one side, it must be assigned to the other; but it is not to be remitted to the state court if, upon either side, the federal court is competent to retain and decide it. Van Norden, v. Morton, 99 U. S. 378. In . the cases in which the right of removal has been denied or questioned, the proceedings in the state courts have been, in their nature, not civil suits, either at law or in equity, or else some independent condition of the statute (ex gr. as to the sum in dispute) has been lacking. Gaines v. Fuentes, 92 U. S 10; In re Cilley, 58 Fed. 977; Dey v. Railway Co., 45 Fed. 82; In re Pennsylvania Co., 137 U. S. 451, 11 Sup. Ct. 141. The motion to remand is denied.
LITTLE ROCK JUNCTION RY. v. BURKE.
(Circuit Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit. No. 403.
January 28, 1895.)
1.
FEDERAL COURTS-JURISDICTION-SETTING ASIDE DECREE OF STATE COURT.
The federal courts have no jurisdiction of a of a state court, on the ground that snch decree by an inspection of the record, since in such bill of review, in the court which made the sufficient remedy.
suit to set aside a decree is utterly void when tested case a motion, appeal, or decree, is the proper and
SAME.
It seems that such courts may have jurisdiction of a suit to set aside such a decree on grounds outside the record, and proved by extrinsic evidence.
S. SAME-SUIT TO QUIET TITLE.
Though the federal courts have jurisdiction, in a proper case, to en· tertain a bll1 to quiet title or remove a cloud on title, such jurisdiction does not extend to cases where the cloud consists of a judgment or decree of a state court, and proceedings taken in execution ot the same, which judgment or decree is alleged to be .void on its face.