19 Wis. 17 | Wis. | 1865
By the Court,
It is possible that the declarations of the witness James K. Selsby were admissible on the ground that he was a vendor in possession of the property sold at the time they were made, but enough does not appear in the bill of exceptions to authorize us to so decide. It appears that the colt remained in his possession after the alleged sale to the plaintiff, but whether it was in his possession at the time the declarations were made does not distinctly appear. To warrant their admission on this ground, it should be clearly shown that he was in possession when the declarations were made. Grant v. Lewis, 14 Wis., 487. But though the declarations ought to have been rejected on this ground, still we think they were admissible on another. The witness was upon his cross-examination, and the questions put, if answered in the affirmative, or affirmatively proved by other witnesses, tended directly to contradict his testimony given on the examination in chief. It was a legitimate method of discrediting the witness. Starkie -on Ev., 288.
At first we were inclined to the opinion that the question whether the execution was void or only voidable, was governed by the case of Mariner v. Coon, 16 Wis., 465 ; but upon further examination we are of opinion that it is not, and that the cases are essentially different.
In courts of record executions might lawfully issue after the expiration of two years from the rendition of the judgments, upon leave of the court. If issued without such leave they were irregular but not void. The authority to issue them existed. But in justices’ courts this was not so. Prior to the act of April 1,1861, Laws of 1861, c. 140, and the act of April 18, 1863, Laws of 1863, c. 286, a justice of the peace had no power to issue an execution after the lapse of two years from the rendition of the judgment. R. S., c. 120, sec. 175. If he did so, it was void for want of, authority. The justice’s judgment in this case was rendered February 11th, 1859. The execution was issued October 25th, 1861. Under the Revised Statutes, therefore, it would have been void ; and the question is, whether it was aided and the defect cured by the two special acts above referred to. I think that it was, and that it is now to be deemed in all respects as a valid execution. The first section of the'act of April 1,1861, is broad enough to include justices’ judgments. “The party in whose favor judgment has been heretofore or shall hereafter be given, may, at any time within five years after the entry of judgment, proceed to enforce the same as provided in this act.” But the second section seems applicable only to judgments in the courts of record. The third section repeals, sections one and two of chapter 184, R. S. The act is entitled “ An act to amend chapter 134 of the
Judgment affirmed.