70 Wis. 385 | Wis. | 1888
This is an action to recovpr the penalty provided by sec. 2256, E. S., as amended by cb. 100, Laws of 1883, for the refusal or neglect to discharge a mortgage. This statute so providing a penalty should receive a strict construction. Stone v. Lannon, 6 Wis. 497. The complaint shows that there had not been a “full performance of the conditions of the mortgage,” and this is a condition precedent to the right to recover the penalty. The plaintiff only made a tender of the mortgage money, which the defendant refused to accept, and also a satisfaction piece in due form, which he refused to execute. This is not “ s.full performance of the conditions of the mortgage.” It is only an offer to perform, or tender of performance. The statute is, “ after a full performance of the conditions of the mortgage,” and “ after being thereunto requested,” and “a satisfaction piece in due form being to him tendered for execution, and after tender of legal charges,” then, after seven days, if the mortgagee refuses or neglects to discharge the mortgage, or to -execute and acknowledge a certificate of discharge or release
The demurrer to the complaint was overruled. To sustain this ruling the learned counsel of the respondent further insists that the last clause of the complaint states a separate and independent cause of action. That clause is: “Plaintiff further alleges that the defendant is indebted to the plaintiff in the sum of one hundred dollars, according to the provisions of section 2256 of chapter 100 of the Revised Statutes of Wisconsin, as amended by chapter 100 of the Laws of Wisconsin passed in 1883.” This appears to be the closing allegation of the complaint, which simpl}r makes the previous statement of facts have reference to the statute upon which the plaintiff’s cause of action is based. To omit this clause would leave the complaint as one simply asking or demanding $100 unliquidated damages, without any reference to the penalty, or the statute which provides it, in case
By the Court. — The order of the circuit court is reversed, and the cause remanded with directions to sustain the demurrer and for further proceedings according to law.