Commonwealth v. Barnstable Savings Bank

A savings bank is liable to the tax imposed by the Sts. of 1862, c. 224, and 1868, c. 315, one half on the average amount of deposits for the six months preceding the first day of May, and the other half on the average amount for the six months preceding the first day of November, although it is on one of those days, and has been, for more than six months preceding, temporarily prohibited by a writ of injunction, issued on the petition of the commissioners, from proceeding with its business, except in receiving and collecting money due to it, in making investments in specified securities, and in foreclosing mortgages and selling land held by foreclosure; and although it is after May 1 perpetually restrained from doing business, and receivers are appointed.

Petition in equity, filed February 21, 1879, alleging that on May 1, 1878, the sum of 14842.38 was duly assessed upon the defendant corporation, being a tax of three eighths of one per cent on the average amount of deposits therein for six months preceding said May 1; that on May 23, 1878, said corporation was, by a decree of this court, perpetually restrained from the exercise of its franchise, and receivers were appointed to wind up the affairs of the corporation; that demand had been made upon the corporation and upon the receivers for the payment of the tax, but payment had been refused. The prayer of the petition was that the receivers be ordered to pay said tax with interest, and for further relief. The answer of the receivers admitted that the tax was assessed; but alleged that, at the time for which the tax was assessed, the defendant corporation was restrained from doing business by an injunction issued from this court. The case was heard by Ames, J., and reserved for the consideration of the full court, upon the petition and ahswer and the following agreed facts: On September 28, 1877, the board of commissioners of savings banks filed in this court a petition against the defendant corporar tian, setting forth that, upoú an examination of the condition of the corporation, they were of opinion that its condition was such as to render its further proceeding hazardous to the public and to those having funds in its custody; and praying that a writ of injunction might issue, commanding the corporation and its officers and agents to refrain from further proceeding with the business of the corporation, except so far as might he necessary to maintain and continue the organization of the corporation, until a hearing could be had upon this petition; and that, after such hearing, the court would appoint one or more trustees or receivers to take possession and control of the property and effects of the corporation, subject to the order of the court; and for an order to show cause why such injunction should not be made perpetual, and receivers appointed. On the same day, a writ of injunction issued restraining the corporation and its officers and agents from further proceeding with the business of the corporation, except so far as might be necessary to maintain and continue its organization, and to collect and receive moneys due it, and on payment thereof give receipts therefor, and release, assign, discharge, or otherwise convey to the debtor any property or estates held by the corporation as security therefor, until a full hearing could be had, and until the further order of the court; and ordering notice to the corporation in accordance with the prayer of the petition. On October 16, 1877, the injunction was modified by giving the corporation authority to do the following acts in addition to those first authorized: “ 1. To bring suits, and to do all other things necessary to collect moneys or property due to said bank. 2. To invest any money which it may have on hand in the securities specified in the St. of 1876, c. 203, § 9, cl. 2, 5; provided, however, that no loan is to be made under the fifth clause to any person not a depositor in the bank; and provided further, that, in addition to the securities prescribed in said clause, the bankbook of each depositor, borrowing as aforesaid, be assigned to the bank as collateral security for said loan; and provided further, that in no case shall a greater sum be lent to any depositor than one half the sum due on said bank-book, assigned as aforesaid. 3. To take possession of any real estate on which it holds a mortgage for breach of condition, and for foreclosure, and to proceed with such foreclosure with the same force and effect as if said injunction had not been issued. 4. To purchase any real estate which it shall sell in foreclosure of any mortgage, whenever the power of sale in the mortgage permits such purchase. 5. To invest the proceeds of any foreclosure sale of real estate in a mortgage or mortgages of the real estate so sold, in conformity with the St. of 1876, c. 203. 6. To sell and convey any property which it may hold by foreclosure or release of the equity of redemption by the owners thereof; provided, however, that the terms of the sale be first approved in writing by the board of commissioners of savings banks. 7. To pay taxes on property held by it in fee or in mortgage, and purchase and extinguish any tax-title, when it shall- deem it necessary for the protection of its property, and to do any and all other things which it shall deem necessary for the management, care and preservation of its property.” The injunction, thus modified, was continued in force until May 23, 1878, when the court made a decree “that the injunction heretofore issued in the said cause be, and the same hereby is, modified so that said corporation, its officers and agents, shall have no further authority to collect and receive moneys due to the said corporation, and, in payment thereof, to give receipts therefor, and release, discharge, assign or otherwise convey to the debtor any property or estate held by said corporation as security therefor; and that the said injunction, so far modified, be, and the same is hereby, made absolute and perpetual.” The decree also appointed receivers, who entered upon the performance of their duties, and have ever since been winding up the affairs of the corporation. The treasurer of the Commonwealth assessed upon the corporation a tax of three eighths of one per cent on the average amount of its deposits for the six months preceding May 1, 1878, and on May 25 gave notice to its treasurer, who was one of the receivers, of the tax, and required payment thereof within ten days after the first Monday of June then next ensuing. The receivers deny the authority of the treasurer of the Commonwealth to assess the above tax while the corporation was under injunction, and have refused to pay the same.