Hill v. Hill

• Citation: 71 N.W. 144,112 Mich. 633
• Court: Michigan Supreme Court
• Decision Date: 11 May 1897
• Parties: HILL v. HILL.

71 N.W. 144

112 Mich. 633

HILL v. HILL.

Supreme Court of Michigan

May 11, 1897

Action by Bridget Hill against Mathilda Hill. From a judgment in favor of plaintiff, defendant brings error. On motion, the writ of error is dismissed.

Flowers, May & Moloney and Charles H. Kline, for the motion.

George X. M. Collier, opposed.

MONTGOMERY, J.

This is a motion to dismiss a writ of error, based upon the ground that the writ was not returned on or before the return day, and upon the ground that no bill of exceptions has been properly settled in the case. The first objection might be overlooked, on the authority of Woodmansie v. Hollon, 16 Mich. 379, and McBride v. Rea, 33 Mich. 347, if the bill of exceptions had been regularly settled. It appears that the case was tried before Judge Simpson, sitting at the time in the Wayne circuit court, and the bill of exceptions was settled before Judge Hosmer. The statute (2 How. Ann. St. � 7613) provides that the bill of exceptions shall be settled before the judge who tried the case, except in case of his death, resignation, expiration of term of office, or vacancy in office from other cause. It is assigned as a reason for the settlement of the bill before Judge Hosmer that Judge Simpson was absent from Wayne county, and his attendance could not be procured there. But the case might have been settled before him at his home. See Oliver v. Town, 24 Wis. 512; Ex parte Nelson, 62 Ala. 377. It appears that the attorneys for plaintiff assented to the settlement of this bill of exceptions before Judge Hosmer. But it has been repeatedly held that parties cannot stipulate to a bill of exceptions. As the time has once been extended beyond the term, we have no doubt that Judge Simpson will, upon application, settle the bill, and, if the proper showing can be made, this court possesses the power to extend the time for suing out a writ of error for six months beyond the one year fixed by statute. This motion will be granted, without costs to either party. The other justices concurred.