{ "id": 8629737, "name": "JULIAN A. WOODCOCK, JR., and BLANCHE B. WOODCOCK and JULIAN A. WOODCOCK, JR., Trustees Under the Last Will and Testament of JULIAN A. WOODCOCK, Deceased, v. WACHOVIA BANK & TRUST COMPANY, Executor and Trustee Under the Will of S. JOHNSTON WOODCOCK, Deceased", "name_abbreviation": "Woodcock v. Wachovia Bank & Trust Co.", "decision_date": "1938-10-12", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "224", "last_page": "230", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "214 N.C. 224" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C.", "id": 9292, "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "159 N. C., 74", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8656583 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/159/0074-01" ] }, { "cite": "37 N. C., 330", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8682154 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/37/0330-01" ] }, { "cite": "191 S. E., 8", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "211 N. C., 560", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8628039 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/211/0560-01" ] }, { "cite": "17 N. C., 437", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8693377 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/17/0437-01" ] }, { "cite": "16 N. C., 276", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11274925 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/16/0276-01" ] }, { "cite": "4 N. C., 360", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "119 S. E., 564", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "186 N. C., 387", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8653711 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/186/0387-01" ] }, { "cite": "122 S. E., 852", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "181 N. C., 778", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "39 N. C., 26", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2100082 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/39/0026-01" ] }, { "cite": "39 N. C., 19", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2100116 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/39/0019-01" ] }, { "cite": "37 N. C., 255", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8681812 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/37/0255-01" ] }, { "cite": "50 S. E., 841", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "138 N. C., 384", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11269516 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/138/0384-01" ] }, { "cite": "143 S. E., 541", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "195 N. C., 734", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8631797 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/195/0734-01" ] }, { "cite": "142 S. E., 493", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "195 N. C., 405", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8629731 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/195/0405-01" ] }, { "cite": "158 S. E., 183", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "200 N. C., 647", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8625301 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/200/0647-01" ] }, { "cite": "165 S. E., 547", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "203 N. C., 201", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8604781 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/203/0201-01" ] }, { "cite": "138 S. E., 3", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "193 N. C., 708", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2217695 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/193/0708-01" ] }, { "cite": "107 S. E., 452", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "181 N. C., 444", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8656435 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/181/0444-01" ] }, { "cite": "107 S. E., 238", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "181 N. C., 324", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8655946 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/181/0324-01" ] }, { "cite": "32 S. E., 809", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "124 N. C., 497", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8660111 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/124/0497-01" ] }, { "cite": "23 S. E., 171", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "117 N. C., 164", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8652746 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/117/0164-01" ] }, { "cite": "8 S. E., 174", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "101 N. C., 483", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8650972 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/101/0483-01" ] }, { "cite": "63 N. C., 537", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11278225 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/63/0537-01" ] }, { "cite": "37 N. C., 9", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8680843 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/37/viiii-01" ] }, { "cite": "8 N. C., 96", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11275455 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/8/0096-01" ] }, { "cite": "37 N. C., 210", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8681588 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/37/0210-01" ] }, { "cite": "67 S. E., 971", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "152 N. C., 318", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11271050 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/152/0318-01" ] }, { "cite": "66 A. L. R., 465", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "120 Conn., 77", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Conn.", "case_ids": [ 1586683 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/conn/120/0077-01" ] }, { "cite": "183 Mass., 126", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Mass.", "case_ids": [ 822439 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/mass/183/0126-01" ] }, { "cite": "95 U. S., 303", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 3384835 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/95/0303-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 835, "char_count": 18389, "ocr_confidence": 0.491, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.7313771698013748e-07, "percentile": 0.7054594688725095 }, "sha256": "fdf7b3b42f0ea3468f8a9c0ead954587be3e9b5db66c796e62704a6ea8f06c1c", "simhash": "1:2d2eeb2167642080", "word_count": 3177 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T22:38:13.292364+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "JULIAN A. WOODCOCK, JR., and BLANCHE B. WOODCOCK and JULIAN A. WOODCOCK, JR., Trustees Under the Last Will and Testament of JULIAN A. WOODCOCK, Deceased, v. WACHOVIA BANK & TRUST COMPANY, Executor and Trustee Under the Will of S. JOHNSTON WOODCOCK, Deceased." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "DeviN, J.\nS. Johnston Woodcock, a resident of Buncombe County, North Carolina, died 31 December, 1927, leaving a last will and testament wherein he named his brothers, Julian A. Woodcock and Eufus J. Woodcock, and the Wachovia Bank & Trust Company as executors. The question presented by the appeal concerns a bequest contained in the fourth paragraph of the will, in these words : \u201cI then give and bequeath to my said executors the sum of $10,000, to be held in trust and paid out and appropriated by them within twenty years after my death, in entirety or in installments, principal and interest, to such corporations or associations of individuals as will in tbeir judgment best promote tbe cause of preventing cruelty to animals in tbe vicinity of Asbeville.\u201d\nIt is admitted that distribution of tbe estate bas not been made and that tbe trust referred to in paragraph four bas not been set up or paid out. Both tbe personal executors, tbe brothers of tbe deceased, have died, one in 1936, and tbe other in 1937, leaving tbe defendant Bank & Trust Company tbe sole surviving executor. Those now entitled under tbe residuary clause of tbe will of S. Johnston Woodcock claim that tbe bequest in paragraph four is void and that they are entitled to have tbe amount of tbe fund distributed as part of tbe residue of tbe estate. Tbe corporate executor, claiming tbe bequest to be valid, proposes to set aside tbe $10,000 fund to be paid out as provided in this paragraph of tbe will.\nA case for a declaratory judgment, under tbe provisions of cb. 102, Public Laws of 1931, is thus made for tbe construction of paragraph four above quoted, and for tbe determination of its legal effect. Tbe court below held that tbe bequest was void for indefiniteness and uncertainty, and that it was one which could not be executed by tbe corporate defendant.\nTbe question arises, Can tbe bequest be upheld as a charitable trust? It was said in Ould v. Washington Hospital, 95 U. S., 303, that \u201ca charitable use, when neither law nor public policy forbids, may be applied to almost anything that tends to promote tbe well-being of social man,\u201d and it bas been uniformly held that a bequest for tbe protection of animals is classed as a charitable trust. Minns v. Billings, 183 Mass., 126; Shannon v. Eno, 120 Conn., 77; 66 A. L. R., 465; Bogert on Trusts, 1210; Barden v. R. R., 152 N. C., 318, 67 S. E., 971.\nTrusts for charitable uses are of ancient origin. Tbe jurisdiction of courts of chancery in England was grounded upon tbe common law and tbe civil law, and upon this was engrafted tbe English statute of charitable uses, 43 Elizabeth, cb. 4, enacted in 1601. Tbe principles of tbe English statute, defining and regulating tbe enforcement of charitable trusts, have been modified by statute in America, and tbe subject treated as one within tbe inherent powers of courts of equity. Tbe statute of Elizabeth was in force in this State until superseded by our act concerning charities, now C. S., 4033 (S. v. Gerard, 37 N. C., 210), and tbe equities raised by charitable bequests have been considered by our courts and administered as part of tbeir equitable jurisdiction, independent of tbe statute, and in accord with applicable principles of equity.\nWhile one of the characteristics of charitable trusts, in addition to tbe expression of a definite charitable purpose, is tbe indefiniteness of tbe beneficiaries, as distinguished from a direct bequest, tbe instrument creating tbe trust must not be incomplete and must be capable of execution. With respect to tbe certainty with which tbe purposes of tbe trust must be pointed out and the beneficiaries designated, there is lack of uniformity in the decisions of the courts, though it is generally held that if the instrument states the purpose of the charity in general terms and designates the beneficiaries who are to partake of the benefits as those of a class, conferring power on the trustee to select the' individuals of that class, it will be upheld and enforced. But the purpose must not be so uncertain that it cannot be administered. 10 Am. Jur.j 643.\nIt is needless to attempt to cite decisions from other jurisdictions upon the question of indefiniteness and uncertainty in charitable trusts. Many cases will be found collected and annotated in elaborate notes in 14 L. E. A. (N. S.), 1-155. This Court has considered the subject many times, and it is not always easy to draw the distinction between trusts held void for uncertainty and those sustained and held capable of enforcement. It is well settled, however, that the doctrine of cy pres has no application in North Carolina. The courts here will not undertake to substitute a similar charity for one that fails, their only purpose being to effectuate the will of the donor, if sufficiently expressed in the instrument.\nIn the following instances gifts of property for charitable uses were upheld: For the erection and maintenance of a schoolhouse for indigent scholars (Griffin v. Graham, 8 N. C., 96) ; \u201cto the use of a free public school for the benefit of the poor of Duplin County\u201d (S. v. McGowen, 37 N. C., 9); \u201cto the poor of the county,\u201d lands to be held \u201cas the wardens of the poor deemed advisable\u201d (S. v. Gerard, 37 N. C., 210); to Bishop Atkinson for benefit of \u201cpoor orphans\u201d to be selected by him (Miller v. Atkinson, 63 N. C., 537) ; for \u201cpoor children\u201d to be designated by the trustee (Newton Academy v. Bank, 101 N. C., 483, 8 S. E., 174); for educating \u201cpoor mutes\u201d (School for D. & D. v. Institution for D. & D., 117 N. C., 164, 23 S. E., 171); to the Moravian Church for building church and school (Keith v. Scales, 124 N. C., 497, 32 S. E., 809); to \u201cconserve, protect and beautify\u201d certain land and \u201cto erect an auditorium thereon\u201d (Trust Co. v. Ogburn, 181 N. C., 324, 107 S. E., 238); \u201cfor public school purposes\u201d to be cared for by school committee (Chandler v. Board of Education, 181 N. C., 444, 107 S. E., 452); land \u201cfor a home for the minister\u201d (Holton v. Elliott, 193 N. C., 708, 138 S. E., 3), to trustees for education of a girl to be selected by them (Humphrey v. Board of Trustees, 203 N. C., 201, 165 S. E., 547).\nIn Whitsett v. Clapp, 200 N. C., 647, 158 S. E., 183, a bequest of a sum derived from certain rents to be paid annually to the trustees of a church for the purpose of keeping up preaching in said church, remainder of rents to trustees of Orange Presbytery for the purpose of keeping up preaching in weak churches, and bequest of income from another fund to be paid trustees of Orange Presbytery to be used for home missionary work, were upheld, the Court saying: \u201cThe trustees of Spring-wood Church and of Orange Presbytery are beneficiaries with capacity to invoke the equitable jurisdiction of the courts, as are also the members of a board or department whose duty it is to raise funds for. home mission work and the support of weak churches \u2014 churches whose maintenance is dependent upon financial aid. ~We are therefore of opinion that the trusts created by the will are not void, but are sufficiently definite to be enforced.\u201d\nIn Miller v. Atkinson, supra, the Court said: \u201cA charitable trust is not too indefinite, provided the purposes of the trust are indicated with enough certainty to enable courts to see that there may be ways and means to give effect to them.\u201d\nIn Benevolent Society v. Orrell, 195 N. C., 405, 142 S. E., 493, and in Hass v. Hass, 195 N. C., 734, 143 S. E., 541, it was held the devise vested ownership in the beneficiary, as was also held in case of a deed in St. James v. Bagley, 138 N. C., 384, 50 S. E., 841.\nIn the following instances the gift was declared void as being too indefinite and uncertain to be enforced:\nIn Holland v. Peck, 37 N. C., 255, the bequest of a fund to be paid by executors for the benefit of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to be disposed of by the conference of members composing same as they shall \u201cin their godly wisdom judge most expedient for the increase and prosperity of the Gospel.\u201d It was held unenforceable, the Court (opinion by Gaston, /.) saying: \u201cThe bequest was made to this body (M. E. Church) for carrying into effect an ulterior and higher purpose of the testator, that the money, the subject of this bequest, might be disposed of by the governing ministers of the church to such objects, and in such manner, as they should determine.\u201d It was held that this was a bequest upon trust which conferred an uncontrollable power of disposition on the ministers, which could not be carried into execution and was void.\nIn White v. University, 39 N. C., 19, a devise of property to executors \u201cto be sold and proceeds laid out in building convenient places of worship for the use of all Christians\u201d was held void. The Court there said, Ruffin, C. J., speaking for the Court: \u201cGifts to public and charitable uses will be sustained in equity when not opposed to the express provisions or plain policy of law, provided the object is so specific that the Court can by decree effectuate it ... by keeping the subject within the control of the Court so as always to have the will of the donor observed.\u201d\nIn Bridges v. Pleasants, 39 N. C., 26, a bequest of $1,000 \u201cto be applied to foreign missions and to the poor saints, this to be disposed of and applied as my executor may think the proper objects according to the Scriptures,\u201d was held void, the Court saying: \u201cA bequest for religious charity must, like others, be to some definite purpose, and to some body or association of persons, Laving a legal existence, and with capacity to take.\u201d\nIn Thomas v. Clay, 181 N. C., 778, 122 S. E., 852, a bequest of property in the Lands of trustee \u201cto be invested by him in such worthy objects of ebarity as be shall determine upon as being in accord with wbat my wishes and tastes in that direction were when living,\u201d was held void for uncertainty.\nIn Weaver v. Kirby, 186 N. C., 387, 119 S. E., 564, it was held that the testator\u2019s request that bis wife should devise the property bequeathed her \u201cto the person or persons who have been kindest to us\u201d was inoperative and void. It was there said, \u201cA trust without a definite beneficiary, who can claim its enforcement, is void.\u201d See, also, Haywood v. Craven, 4 N. C., 360; McAuley v. Wilson, 16 N. C., 276; Redmond v. Coffin, 17 N. C., 437.\nIn Dry Forces v. Wilkins, 211 N. C., 560, 191 S. E., 8, it was held that a bequest to \u201cany organization which may be organized for the purpose of enforcing prohibition laws in Gaston County\u201d conferred an uncontrollable power of disposition and did not purport to create a charitable trust but to vest ownership, if there had been anyone Capable of taking, citing Hester v. Hester, 37 N. C., 330; St. James v. Bagley, 138 N. C., 384; and McLeod v. Jones, 159 N. C., 74.\nThe general rule as to certainty in charitable trusts is stated in 10 Am. Jur., at page 654, as follows: \u201cThe rule is well settled that the scheme of charity must be sufficiently indicated or a method provided whereby it may be ascertained, and its object must be made sufficiently certain to enable the court to enforce the execution of the trust according to such scheme and for such object. It must be of such tangible nature that the court can deal with it.\u201d\nThe rule for the construction of gifts for charitable uses prescribed by the Act of 1925, ch. 264, has removed some of the objections to the enforcement of charitable trusts on the ground of uncertainty. This statute is in the following words: \u201cNo gift, grant, bequest or devise, whether in trust or otherwise, to religious, educational, charitable or benevolent uses or for the purpose of providing for the care or maintenance of any part of any cemetery, public or private, shall be invalid by reason of any indefiniteness or uncertainty of the object or beneficiaries of such trust, or because said instrument confers upon the trustee or trustees discretionary powers in the selection and designation of the objects or beneficiaries of such trust or in carrying out the purpose thereof, or by reason of the same in contravening any statute or rule against perpetuities.\u201d\nFrom an analysis of the language of this statute, as applicable to the instant case, it is apparent that the rule of construction thus established is that a devise of property in trust for a charitable purpose shall not be held invalid, (1) for indefiniteness or uncertainty of the beneficiary, (2) or because discretionary power is conferred upon the trustee to select and designate the beneficiary of such trust or in carrying out its purposes. The things affected by the statute are uncertainty of beneficiary, and discretionary power of the trustee to designate the beneficiary or to carry out the purpose of the trust. Here the fund was bequeathed to executors to be held in trust, and paid out within twenty years \u201cto such corporations or associations of individuals as will in their judgment best promote the cause of preventing cruelty to animals in the vicinity of Asheville.\u201d It is apparent that the uncertainty and indefiniteness in the bequest extend not only to the beneficiary, that is, \u201cto such corporations or associations\u201d as the executors may select, not only to the discretionary power conferred on the executors to select the beneficiary, but the indefiniteness and uncertainty extend to the ultimate purpose of the trust, to \u201cpromote the cause of preventing cruelty to animals.\u201d By what means is the promotion of the cause to be effectuated? The executors are required to pay $10,000 to an unnamed nonexistent beneficiary for the indefinite purpose of promoting the cause of preventing cruelty to animals, with no directions to the corporation or association to be selected, or means of assurance that the ultimate recipient will use the fund for the purpose indicated, with no power of control or supervision over its administration. Not only is the purpose of the trust indefinite and uncertain, but the fund is left to the uncontrolled discretion, not of the trustees, but of the trustees\u2019 donee, one step further than the curative statute purports to extend. There is here no charitable organization with well-defined purposes and plans for the carrying out of benevolences, such as a church, a board, of missions, school committee, or other established institution, capable of administering a trust of an eleemosynary nature.\n\u201cIt is essential to a valid gift for a charitable use, not only that the gift be for a purpose recognized in law as charitable, but that the instrument creating the gift point out such purpose with reasonable definiteness and certainty.\u201d 11 C. J., 327.\nWhatever purpose the testator may have had in mind is without guide, plan or scheme. The ten thousand dollar fund is left to the uncontrolled discretion of an unnamed recipient to be designated by the executor for the indefinite purpose of promoting the cause of preventing cruelty to animals.\nFor these reasons we conclude that the ruling of the learned judge of the Superior Court upon the question presented in the construction of the fourth paragraph of the will must be\nAffirmed.", "type": "majority", "author": "DeviN, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "\u25a0 Geo. H. Wright for plaintiffs, appellees.", "Parker, Bernard & Parker for defendant, appellant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "JULIAN A. WOODCOCK, JR., and BLANCHE B. WOODCOCK and JULIAN A. WOODCOCK, JR., Trustees Under the Last Will and Testament of JULIAN A. WOODCOCK, Deceased, v. WACHOVIA BANK & TRUST COMPANY, Executor and Trustee Under the Will of S. JOHNSTON WOODCOCK, Deceased.\n(Filed 12 October, 1938.)\n1. Declaratory Judgment Act \u00a7 2a: Wills \u00a7 89\u2014\nWhen a tona fide dispute exists between an executor and tbe beneficiaries under tbe residuary clause of tbe will as to tbe validity of a charitable bequest therein, action for tbe determination of tbe legal effect of tbe bequest is properly instituted under the Declaratory Judgment Act, eb. 102, Public Laws of 1931.\n2. Trusts \u00a7 Id\u2014\nA charitable trust may be created for almost any purpose that tends to promote the well-being of social man unless forbidden by law of public policy, and tbe protection of animals is a permissive objective of a charitable trust.\n3. Same: Trusts \u00a7 8g\u2014\nThe English statute of charitable uses, 43 Elizabeth, cb. 4, prevailed in this State until superseded by C. S., 4033, and equities raised by cbari-table bequests have been administered by our courts, independent of the statute, in accord with applicable principles of equity.\n4. Trusts \u00a7 Id: Wills \u00a7 33h \u2014 Definiteness required in designating beneficiaries and purpose of charitable trust.\nIndefiniteness of the beneficiaries is a characteristic of charitable trusts, and designation of the purpose of the trust to benefit members of a class, with power in the trustees to select individuals of that class as specific beneficiaries is sufficient, but the purpose of the trust must be sufficiently definite and complete to be administered.\n5. Same\u2014\nThe doctrine of ey pres has no application in this State, and while the courts will seek to effectuate the intent of the donor of a charitable trust if his purpose is expressed with sufficient certainty, they will not undertake to substitute a similar trust for one that fails.\n6. Same \u2014 Charitable trust which leaves funds in uncontrolled discretion of trustees\u2019 donees held void for uncertainty.\nTestator bequeathed a certain sum to his executors to be held in trust, and paid out in twenty years \u201cto such corporations or associations of individuals as will in their judgment best promote the cause of preventing cruelty to animals in the vicinity of Asheville.\u201d Held: Ch. 264, Public Laws of 1925, provides that a bequest for charitable purposes shall not be held void for indefiniteness of the beneficiary or because discretionary power is conferred upon the trustee to select and designate the beneficiary, while in the present case not only is the purpose of the trust indefinite and the beneficiaries unnamed, but the sum is left to the uncontrolled discretion, not of the trustees, but of the beneficiaries to be selected by the trustees, and therefore goes one step beyond the curative provisions of the statute, and the bequest must be held void for uncertainty.\nAppeal by defendant from Johnston, J., at July Term, 1938, of BuNcombe.\nAffirmed.\nThis was an action by interested parties to construe tbe fourth paragraph of the will of S. Johnston Woodcock, deceased. From judgment for plaintiffs defendant appealed.\n\u25a0 Geo. H. Wright for plaintiffs, appellees.\nParker, Bernard & Parker for defendant, appellant." }, "file_name": "0224-01", "first_page_order": 292, "last_page_order": 298 }