41 Wis. 28 | Wis. | 1876
The learned cpunsel on both sides, who argued this cause, desired a decision of the main question in it, namely, whether, on the facts stated in the relation and alternative writ, the county of Wood or the cities of Grand Rapids and Centraba were bound to keep in repair the bridge across the Wisconsin river betwden those two cities. Considering the importance of the question to the public, we have felt it
It is claimed on the part of the relators, that the duty of repairing and maintaining the bridge in question in a safe condition for public use is imposed upon the county of Wood. On the other hand, the board of supervisors contend that by the provisions of the general statute (ch. 19, E. S.), that duty is devolved upon the cities of Grand Eapids and Centraba, which are entrusted with the superintendence and repair of roads and bridges within their respective limits. Kittredge v. The City of Milwaukee, 26 Wis., 46.
By the general system which prevails in this state, the primary care of keeping highways and bridges in suitable repair is devolved upon the towns and cities. In respect to this there can be no controversy. But the inquiry is, whether the facts stated in the relation take this bridge out of the general rule. It is quite apparent that either the cities of Grand Eap-ids and Centraba or the county of Wood must be charged with the burden of the care and reparation of the bridge; as we fully agree with the counsel of the relators in the remark that a public bridge in this state with no person or body under obligation to keep it in a safe condition for public travel, would be an anomaly in the law, and cannot be tolerated.
It appears that the bridge in question was built in 1867, under the provisions of ch. 178, P. & L. Laws of 1865. By that act a corporation was created, known as the “Wood County Bridge Company,” which was authorized to build and maintain a bridge across the Wisconsin river at the point des
The learned circuit judge, in the opinion filed overruling the motion to quash the alternative writ, observes that, upon the fact set forth in the relation and admitted to be true, it was plain that, by virtue of the l’eserved right and the action taken under it, the county .acquired the title to and became the owner of the bridge; that the county had the sole and exclusive control of it, subject to the right of the public to use it as a highway or public bridge. And the learned circuit judge held that it followed from this that the county was bound to keep the bridge in repair; that this duty resulted from its ownership and the public character of the bridge. It seems to us that this view of the matter is correct. The fact that the bridge was purchased by the county and became the property of the county, would seem to carry with it as an incident the right to take care of, preserve and control it
It is said that no duty to repair can be implied from the purchase, as the sole object of the purchase was to make the bridge free, and that it stands on the same basis and footing as any other public bridge which is to be repaired by the towns or cities in which it is situated. But as the county paid for the bridge and owns it, the duty of repairing rests with the county. The case of The People v. The Supervisors of Duchess County, 1 Hill, 50, seems to us quite in point on this question. Though there there was no purchase, but the act authorizing its construction by Drake and Bogardus declared that the bridge, when completed, should be' a pubbc bridge, and should be under the control and direction of the supervisors of the county, it was held that, the bridge being under the control and direction of the supervisors, it was to
If, as we have indicated by our remarks, the bridge in question was one which the county was bound to keep in repair, the fact that the landing or approach at the west end was private property, cannot change or qualify the duty of the county. The case of Houfe v. The Town of Fulton, 34 Wis., 608, is a very clear authority upon that point. So long as the bridge is kept open for public travel, the board is charged with the duty of keeping it in suitable repair.
By the Court. — The order of the circuit court refusing to quash the alternative writ,'is affirmed.