28 Wis. 153 | Wis. | 1871
It appears to us that little more need be said in this case than to cite tbe statute of 1862, chap. 184. That statute declares that no action for tbe flowing of lands shall be main
Of course, tbe legislature cannot pass an act by which a past right of action shall be barred, without any allowance of time for bringing tbe suit. It must afford a reasonable opportunity to bring tbe action before tbe bar will apply. With this qualification, tbe legislature may restrict tbe time for bringing actions on contracts as it may think proper. It has certainly, in chap. 184, limited tbe right of action for damages caused by tbe flow-age of lands to ten years after tbe right of action accrues.
Tbe third defense in tbe answer alleges, in substance, that tbe lands of tbe plaintiff have been flowed by tbe dam for more than ten years next preceding tbe commencement of tbe action, as much and to as great an extent as when tbe suit was instituted ; and that this right of flowage of tbe plaintiff’s lands has been enjoyed by tbe defendants, and these persons under whom
Tbe demurrer to tbe third defense set forth in tbe answer should have been overruled.
By the Court. —Tbe order of tbe circuit court is reversed, and tbe cause remanded for further proceedings according to law.