Spreyne v. Garfield Lodge No. 1 of United Slavonian Benevolent Society

Mr. Presiding Justice Stein delivered the opinion of the court.

First. That where the plaintiff sues as a corporation and a plea denying its corporate existence is interposed, it must prove the same has been held so often as to dispense with any citation of authorities. But it is equally well settled that one who deals with a corporation in such manner as to recognize its existence, and thereby causes it to change its condition to its detriment, is estopped from denying as against it that it has been legally organized. He is not permitted to allege any defect in its organization, as affecting its capacity to sue. Ramsey v. Ins. Co., 55 Ill. 311 ; Lombard v. Sinai Congregation, 64 Ill. 477 ; Baker v. Neff, 73 Ind. 68 ; Bigelow on Estoppel, 5th ed., 460-464.

The bond sued on recites that the signers “ are held and firmly bound unto Garfield Lodge No. 1, U. S. B. S. (incorporated and duly chartered under the laws of this state) of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, in the sum of two thousand dollars.” This is an admission under seal of the corporate existence of appellee. Wood v. Coal Co., 48 Ill. 356 ; Mitchell v. Deeds, 49 Ill. 416 ; Walker Paint Co. v. Ruggles, 48 Ill. App. 406 . By reason of the execution of the bond and in reliance upon its provisions, appellee entrusted its moneys to Marich, the principal in the b md, and the sureties cannot now be heard to say that their deliberate, solemn admission is false. They are estopped. See authorities first above cited; also Meyer v. Wiltshire, 92 Ill. 395 ; Green v. Wardwell, 17 Ill. 278 ; Allbee v. People, 22 Ill. 533 ; Ramsay v. People, 197 Ill. 572 ; Brandt on Suretyship, vol. 1, sec. 42; vol. 2, sec. 642. It follows that the court ruled correctly in excluding proof to show that appellee had not been incorporated.

Second. We agree with appellant in his contention that the charter received in evidence of “The United Slavonians Benevolent Society ” did not prove or tend to prove the corporate existence of appellee, and that it was error to receive the same. There is such difference between the two names that the rule of idem sonans does not apply. But the error was harmless. , Had the charter not been received still the result would have been the same. Appellant had, by executing the bond, conclusively recognized appellee’s • legal existence and its capacity to sue.

Third. According to the condition of the bond, which is dated December 30, 1899, Marich was elected treasurer of appellee on the 21st of that month. A witness testified, however, that he was in point of fact elected in the following month. It is therefore argued that the bond is void as having been signed and delivered before the election of Marich. No authorities are cited in support of the contention, and even if the same were sound (which we do not think it is,) appellant is estopped by the recital in the bond from maintaining that Marich was not treasurer when it went into effect. See authorities last cited.

Fourth. It is further assigned as error that the court did not permit appellant to show the failure of appellee to file annual reports in pursuance of the act of the legislature “ requiring corporations to make annual report to the Secretary of State, and providing for the cancellation of articles of incorporation for failure to do so.” (4 S. & C. Ann. Rev. Stat. 336.) The ruling of the court was correct for three reasons : Assuming that its charter had been can-celled, appellee had still the right to sue for debts owing it it under section 10 of the General Incorporation Act. Whether it had forfeited its charter was not a question which appellant could raise. Even had he the right, he could not exercise it in this collateral proceeding. Such power rests in the State and in the State only. Bushnell v. Machine Co., 138 Ill. 67 . Furthermore, the failure of appellee to file annual reports as required by the foregoing act would not of itself work a forfeiture of its charter, but is simply prima facie evidence of non-user which may be availed of by the People in a proceeding to forfeit the charter. People v. Rose, 207 Ill. 352 .

The judgment appealed from is affirmed.

Affirmed.