151 Mich. 85 | Mich. | 1908
This controversy in various forms has been frequently before us, and its history can be learned by consulting the following citations: Mack v. Village of Frankfort, 123 Mich. 421; Schmid v. Village of Frankfort, 131 Mich. 197, 134 Mich. 619; Schmid v. Benzie Circuit Judge, 138 Mich. 452; Schmid v. Village of Frankfort, 141 Mich. 291; Schmid v. Benzie
As we have said, the original bill in this case was filed for the cancellation of these bonds and coupons which it alleged to be fraudulent and void, asking an injunction to restrain sale pendente lite. The relief asked necessarily required an adjudication of the question of validity of the bonds in the hands of the defendant. It went so far as to allege plaintiff’s want of bona fides, which was denied in the answer.
There was an issue which would justify a dismissal of the bill, but as that would leave the controversy without a complete adjudication defendant filed a cross-bill for the purpose of obtaining a complete adjudication. It raised no new issue. It introduced no new facts. An adjudication that defendant was a bona fide holder would de
The general rule that equity may do complete justice between the parties in. the particular controversy before the court, and may even entertain an original bill upon the ground of saving a multiplicity of suits, ought to be applicable to a cross-bill like this. There is some diversity of opinion upon the subject, but this doctrine is well supported.
In La Grange, etc., R. Co. v. Rainey, 7 Coldw. (Tenn.) 420, it was held that, where a bill put in question the validity of a deed, the court might decree title in the defendant without a cross-bill. See, also, Allen v. Allen, 11 Heisk. (Tenn.) 387; Little v. Mann, 62 Me. 328; Dayton v. Melick, 12 C. E. Green (N. J. Eq.), 362; Pitts v. Powledge, 56 Ala. 147. It is unnecessary for us to go so far as to accept the rule stated in the La Grange Case, or to say that relief might be had in some of these cases even upon cross-bill.
An extended discussion of the subject will be found in Armstrong v. Mayer, 69 Neb. 187. In Stuart v. Hayden, 72 Fed. 410, a complete determination of the controversy is mentioned as a proper object of a cross-bill. See Greenwalt v. Duncan, 16 Fed. 35; Remer v. McKay, 38 Fed. 164. In Hall v. Edington’s Ex’rs, 8 B. Mon. (Ky.) 47, a rather broader rule than the one relied on here appears to have been followed. That case followed Logan v. McMillan, 5 Dana (Ky.), 484. Our own case of McKenzie v. A. P. Cook Co., 113 Mich. 452, seems
“A question is raised as to whether the defendant company can assert its legal title by cross-bill. We think it is open to the defendant to do so. The scope of complainants’ bill was such as to call for a determination of the question of title between these parties. This being so, the defendant had a right to interpose by way of cross-bill, and ask the relief to which it was entitled in case the court should find against the complainants’ title.”
See, also, Koch v. Sumner, 145 Mich. 358.
We are of the opinion that this rule is applicable here. The decree overruling the demurrer is affirmed, with costs. Complainant will be allowed 20 days from the date of decree in this court, within which to answer the cross-bill.