Goldsmith v. Smith

21 F. 611 | U.S. Cir. Ct. | 1884

Lead Opinion

Field, Justice.

This is a motion for judgment that the complaint bo dismissed, and that the defendants recover costs and disbursements, on the ground that the complaint “does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action.” It is in fact an attempt to obtain, by motion after answer, the benefit of a demurrer to the complaint, which must be regularly presented before answer. It can only be filed subsequently upon leave of the court and a withdrawal of the answer. The motion, therefore, in the form in which it is presented, must be denied. But as, by the pleadings, it appears that tire plaintiff has presented bis case upon the theory that one co-tenant of real property, in possession, can maintain ejectment against another co-tenant, also in possession, if the extent of the plaintiff’s interest is denied, it may not be improper to call the attention of counsel to matters which are essential to the maintenance of the action, and consequently to the allegations of the complaint.

The action of ejectment is primarily for the possession of the property in controversy, the right to which may depend upon the ownership of the property, or a contract with the owner for the use of it,— a letting of it by him to the plaintiff. There must be in the plaintiff a present right of possession, which is withheld by the defendant. Code Civil Proc. § 313.

Now, each tenant in common has an equal right to the possession of the whole and of every part of the common property. If a tenant in common is in possession of any interest, no matter how small, he is, in law, in possession of the whole property. Therefore, no tenant in common, in possession, can maintain ejectment against a co-tenant also in possession. In such ease he already has all that a judgment in his favor could give him. To sustain such an action the co-tenant plaintiff must be entirely excluded from the possession.

The statute (section 324 of the Code of Civil Procedure) does not change this rule of the common law; it only changes the proof of ouster, or rather makes a denial of the plaintiff’s right of possession the equivalent of actual ouster, so as to authorize a recovery upon proof of such denial, when his right is otherwise established.

In the case at bar the complaint alleges that the plaintiff is the owner of five undivided eighths of the premises described, and was in their actual and adverse possession for a period exceeding 13 years,—from October 4, 1870, to December 31, 1883,—that on this last date the defendants entered upon three of these five eighths and excluded him from them, and withholds them from him; and that they are the owners of one undivided eighth. There is no allegation that the plaintiff has ever been dispossessed of the remaining two of the five undivided eighths. The necessary presumption, therefore, is that he is still in their possession. Being in possession as such' owner, he is in possession of the whole premises, under the law which governs the rights of tenants in common. So, as the complaint now stands, the plaintiff cannot upon its allegations recover in ejectment. The allegation of ownership of the five-eighths must be reduced to that of three-eighths; or the ouster—that is, the denial of the plaintiff’s right by the defendants—must be alleged to extend to the whole five-eighths. If, therefore, the present action is to be continued, the complaint must be amended in this form. But if the fact be as stated, that the plaintiff’s right to three of the five eighths is only denied, and he continues in possession as the owner of two-eighths, while the defendants are admitted to be the owners of one-eighth, the plaintiff’s remedy to determine the validity of the defendants’ right to the disputed three-eighths is in equity, under the statute, (Or. Code Civil Proc. § 500,) authorizing suits for the determination of estates claimed adversely to the owner. Being in’ possession by his co-tenancy, the plaintiff can insist that the defendants disclose their alleged adverse interest, and call upon the court to pass upon its validity. In this way the interests and claims of the defendants, as against the plaintiff, can be fully determined.

While the motion, as presented, is denied, the plaintiff can have leave to amend his complaint as suggested, the defendants having the right to answer anew, or he can withdraw the present action and institute a suit in equity. Motion denied.

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Concurrence Opinion

Deady, J.

I concur with the circuit justice, but wish to add that this motion is anomalous, and will not lie under any circumstances. It is made by the defendant, and is for “judgment on the pleadings,” —the pleadings being the complaint and answer. But, as a judgment on the pleadings cannot be given on the pleading of the party, moving for it, unless the truth of the allegations therein is admitted by the subsequent pleading or silence of the adverse party, this is really a motion by the defendant for a judgment on the complaint. Now, there can be no judgment for the defendant on the complaint except upon the ground that it does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action, and that objection or question can only be made by demurrer. So that if the defendant had made this motion before answer, still it would not lie. But the motion is also singular in the nature of the judgment it asks—“that the plaintiff’s complaint be dismissed.” A bill or suit in equity is said to be “dismissed” when finally disposed óf adversely to the plaintiff therein; and un< less the decree of dismissal is declared to be “without prejudice,” it is a bar to any further litigation of tho matter between the parties. But an action at law is disposed óf either by a judgment for the plaintiff, or in bar of its maintenance, or of nonsuit. By either the first or second one the cause of action is determined and the action brought to an end; but by the third the action only is ended or disposed of, and another may be brought upon the samo cause.

Tins judgment of nonsuit can only bo obtained on motion of the defendant, before trial, because of the failure of the, plaintiff to appear for trial, or by consent. Tho form of it is “that the plaintiff take nothing by his writ or action, and that the defendant go hence without day;” and the effect of it, under the Code, is to dismiss tho action. See Code of Civil Procedure, c. 2, tit. 11.

But a “motion” to dismiss “a complaint,” whether at law. or in equity, will not lie under any circumstances; and it proceeds upon a total misconception of the nature of legal procedure, both under the Code and at common law.