Virginia Development Co. v. Crozer Iron Co.

Citations

• 90 Va. 126
• 17 S.E. 806
• 1893 Va. LEXIS 21

Syllabus

<p>1. Constitutional Law — Special legislation. — Code § 2486 giving liens to persons furnishing supplies to a manufacturing corporation on all its property, superior to deeds of trust, &c., executed since March 21, 1877, is not contrary to amendment 14 to the constitution of the U. S. as being special and class legislation.</p> <p>2. Construction of Statutes. — Liens for supplies given, by \\ 2485, priority over deeds of trust, &c., executed since March 21,1877, are not restricted to deeds of trust, &c., executed between that date and the date of the taking effect of that act, but have precedence over deeds of trust, &c., executed after the latter date.</p> <p>-3. Vested Rights — Impairment of charter. — Section 2485 giving prior liens upon the property of manufacturing corporations for supplies is not invalid as impairing the charter right of such corporation to issue its bonds and secure them, as the charter was taken subject to the general law of the State, and such changes as might be made in that law.</p> <p>4. General Laws — Private acts — Acts of incorporation. — Section 4203 excluding from operation of the Code any act passed by the legislature between March 15, 1887, and May 1, 1888, applies only to the acts of a general nature and not to acts of incorporation, which are private acts.</p> <p>5. Supplies— What are under 12485. — Pig iron furnished a rolling mill, whose business is to manufacture iron, steel, and other metals, is “a supply” within the meaning of § 2485, giving a lien to all persons furnishing fuel and other supplies necessary to the operation of any manufacturing company.</p> <p>6. Liens for Materials — Priority.—Liens given by £ 2485 are entitled to precedence as among themselves according to the times at which they are severally filed under $ 2486, that first filed taking preference.</p>