§ 17. Article permissive; effect upon statute of limitations. This article does not prevent an action from being brought by or against all the members of an association, except as prescribed in the last section. Where an action is brought against the members of the association, as prescribed in subdivision first of the last section, the time between the commencement of the action by or against the officer, and the return of the first execution issued upon the final judgment rendered therein, is not a part of the time limited by law, for the commencement of the second action.