224 P. 84 | Idaho | 1924
— This action was commenced for the purpose of setting aside the election of respondents as directors of the Payette-Boise Water Users’ Association in January, 1922, and confirming the election of appellants as such.
The amended complaint alleges that at this election appellants received the highest number of votes cast in the election of directors but that respondents were declared the duly elected members of the board, met and organized, and retained possession of the records. In the complaint appellants specifically set out in detail the alleged wrongs and seek relief that the election of respondents be declared void and that appellants be declared lawfully elected. It alleges that the association was organized “for the purpose of owning and controlling an irrigation system; that it does now control, or claim to control, an irrigation system.” It does not allege that a majority of the subscribed capital stock voted for appellants.
Respondents move to dismiss the appeal on the ground that the issues are moot. Supporting affidavits show that-annual elections have been held for the years 1923 and 1924 and that nearly all of the respondents have been dropped from the hoard of directors.
A moot appeal will be dismissed. But “In order to justify a dismissal on this ground, however, the fact that the controversy has ceased to exist must he shown by clear and convincing proof.” (Graves v. Barry, 35 Ida. 498, 207 Pac. 718.)
At the time of the commencement of this action there existed two groups of stockholders of the Payette-Boise Water Users’ Association each of which held an election of directors, appellants belonging to one and respondents to the other. It is admitted by the affidavits in support of the motion to dismiss that the same condition continues to exist, and each succeeding year the two factions have held separate elections. So while some of the respondents are no longer in office a situation still exists similar to that existing at the time of the commencement of this action. Therefore, we can hardly say that the controversy has ceased to exist. The motion is denied.
Appellants have failed to enumerate the several errors relied on in their brief and have also failed to state their points and authorities as provided by Rule 42 of this court. This practice is becoming too common, and deserves condemnation. It is apparent, however, that the error complained of is the sustaining of the demurrer, and consequent entry of judgment.
C. S., sec. 4713, relates directly to water users’ associations and the quorum required at stockholders’ meetings. It provides that a majority of the subscribed capital stock shall be necessary to a choice in the selection of directors, unless the corporation or water users’ association owns or controls an irrigation system.
It is not alleged in the complaint that a majority of the subscribed stock was represented.
The amended complaint alleges that the Payette-Boise Water Users’ Association is a water user's’ association incorporated under the laws of the state of Idaho and that “it does now control, or claim to control,” an irrigation system within the state of Idaho. Appellants contend that the language above quoted refers to two distinct ■ things, one a corporation owning or controlling an irrigation system and the other a water users’ association, that the corporation must own or control an irrigation system to fall within the proviso, but that the water users’ association need not. No such meaning can be wrung from the words used. To adopt such a construction would be to distort the statute. Whether the organization be incorporated or unincorporated it must own or control an irrigation system to claim the benefit of the proviso.
Appellants have pleaded in the alternative. The allegation that the association “controls” an irrigation system is negatived by the words “or claim to control.” It does not appear that this court has ever had under consideration the question with respect to pleading alternatively in a complaint. It seems to be a well-established principle of law, however, that the material allegations must be pleaded directly and, if pleaded in the alternative, this amounts to a failure to state a cause of action.
“A pleading must state the cause of action by direct averments, and not by averments in the alternative. In general a violation of this rule vitiates the pleading. Where the only effect of such allegations is to make the pleading uncertain, the remedy is by motion; but where the com
“Where an answer contains alternative allegations, each alternative must present matter sufficient in law to constitute a defense to the action. If either of them fails to state facts sufficient to support the defense, the demurrer to it is properly sustained.” (Rogers v. McAllister, 151 Ky. 488, 152 S. W. 571.)
“Where facts are pleaded in a petition in the alternative, with the allegation that one or the other is true, but the pleader does not know which is true, the pleading is insufficient unless both alternative statements state a cause of action.” (Hoffman v. City of Maysville, 123 Ky. 707, 97 S. W. 360; Anderson v. Minneapolis, St. P. & S. S. M. Ry. Co., 103 Minn. 224, 114 N. W. 1123, 14 L. R. A., N. S., 886; Casey Pure Milk Co. v. Booth Fisheries Co., 124 Minn. 117, 144 N. W. 450, 51 L. R. A., N. S., 640; Porter v. Hermann, 8 Cal. 619.)
The allegations are clearly in the alternative in this case. The sound rule established by the foregoing cases is that unless each alternative allegation is sufficient to constitute a cause of action the complaint is demurrable. The allegation that the association “claims to control” au irrigation system is not sufficient to bring this action within the exception as provided in C. S., sec. 4713. It follows that the demurrer was rightly sustained.
The constitutionality of C. S., sec. 4721, is attacked in respondents’ brief. As it is unnecessary to pass upon this question we do not do so.
The judgment is affirmed. No costs are allowed because respondents’ counsel, without valid excuse, failed to file his brief in proper time and failed to file a printed brief.
