135 Mich. 570 | Mich. | 1904
The bill, as originally filed by complainant, had a double aspect. It set out that the complainant had a contract with the defendant Weber for the purchase of the land in question (being lot 15 of outlot 23 of the Guoin Farm, in the city of Detroit), that she had performed her contract, and prayed specific performance of the contract by defendant Weber. The bill also averred that complainant and Weber, as her grantor, had been in possession of the premises in question since 1882, that the defendant city claimed some right or title in the property by virtue of a tax lease given upon a sale for taxes in 1881, — the taxes having been imposed for the purpose of
It is the contention of defendant’s counsel that Weber and complainant have been enjoying the benefits of this sewer; that it is a benefit to the property, enhancing the value of the same; and that it is a matter which the warrantor should adjust. The supplemental bill practically eliminates Weber from the controversy, and presents the case substantially as it would have appeared had the deed to complainant been given before the original bill was filed. The question, on such a record, must be whether the complainant is entitled to have a decree quieting the title acquired by adverse possession. No cross-bill was filed against the defendant Weber, and no relief prayed against him by the city; and clearly the city would be entitled to no relief against him, unless by invoking the rule that he who seeks equity must do equity.
But we are unable to see how even this rule can be invoked by the defendant here. Under section 173 of the charter of 1883 of Detroit, a sale is authorized by the city for delinquent taxes. By section 181 of the charter, the same proceedings are to be had in case of assessment rolls
That adverse possession may give a good title as against the city was determined in Flynn v. City of Detroit, 93 Mich. 590 (53 N. W. 815); Leonard v. City of Detroit, 108 Mich. 599 (66 N. W. 488); Vier v. City of Detroit, 111 Mich. 646 (70 N. W. 139). The same rule has been applied in this State as against the State, viz., that the statute of limitations runs against the State upon lands bid off to the State at a tax sale. Chamberlain v. Ahrens, 55 Mich. 111 (20 N. W. 814).
We see no escape from the conclusion reached by the circuit judge, and the decree will be affirmed, with costs.