Opinion
December, 1898.
Kisch Roberts, for plaintiffs.
Adams Adams, for defendants.
I cannot on this motion consider the question whether or not the Havana City Railway Company has ceased to exist under the laws of West Virginia. Although it may have failed to pay its taxes and has thereby subjected itself to the forfeiture of its charter, there is grave doubt whether that contention can prevail in the present action. Lumber Co. v. Ward, 30 W. Va. 43. If it can be maintained, it must be raised by answer. The attorneys for the plaintiffs show that their authority to represent the plaintiff corporation is derived from Hugh Alexander, who is alleged to be its president and the trustee for its stockholders. Whether he is in fact such president and trustee, or whether, being president and trustee, he had power to authorize the commencement of the action are questions which do not arise on the present motion, which is directed solely to obtaining information. The residence of Hugh Alexander is also given with sufficient particularity. To this extent the defendants' demand for information is already complied with. Not so, however, as to the plaintiff Sweeney. A careful reading of the complaint does not show that he is a necessary party to the action, and it is doubtful whether he is even a proper party. His residence is given very generally as being in the "city, county and state of New York." The affidavits show that the defendants have exhausted all the usual methods of finding him, if he is a resident of this city, but without success. It can do the plaintiffs no harm to disclose the particulars as to Mr. Sweeney's residence, unless, indeed, as was intimated upon the argument, he has been joined as plaintiff merely to obviate giving security for costs, the other plaintiffs being admittedly nonresidents. If any such purpose exists the defendants are certainly entitled to such information as will enable them to ascertain, and if necessary, test the fact of his residence. Motion granted to the extent of requiring plaintiffs' attorneys to furnish to defendants' attorneys the address and place of residence of the plaintiff Eugene Sweeney.
No costs. Settle order on notice.