Sickle v. Belknap

• Decision Date: 19 September 1891
• Citation: 28 N.E. 305,129 Ind. 558
• Parties: Van Sickle v. Belknap.
• Court: Indiana Supreme Court

129 Ind. 558

28 N.E. 305

Van Sickle

v.Belknap.¹

Supreme Court of Indiana.

Sept. 19, 1891.

Appeal from circuit court, Clinton county; J. O. Bayless, Special Judge.

Suit by Lee Belknap against William H. Van Sickle to enforce a lien for street improvements. Judgment for plaintiff. Defendant appeals. Affirmed.

F. F. Moore, for appellant. J. C. Farber, for appellee.

ELLIOTT, J.

The appellee asserts a right to enforce a lien for an assessment levied for the expense of improving a street running through unplatted grounds in the city of Frankfort. The suit is governed by the act of April 13, 1885, (Elliott, Supp. § 753.) Crowell v. Jaqua, 114 Ind. 246, 15 N. E. Rep. 242. The act provides, in general terms, that such a lien may be enforced by the contractor in the circuit court of the county in which the city directing the improvements is situated. Where a statute creates a right and provides generally for its enforcement, but neither creates nor designates a remedy, the implication is that the legislature intended that the right should be enforced by some existing and appropriate remedy. Fitch v. Creighton, 24 How. 159;Reynolds v. Bank, 112 U. S. 405, 5 Sup. Ct. Rep. 213. As the appellee seeks specific relief by the enforcement of a statutory lien, he must aver such facts as bring his case within the statute creating the lien. The nature of the relief sought gives his case an equitable character, rather than a legal one, for the foreclosure of liens upon real property is the exercise of equity power. Albrecht v. Lumber Co., 126 Ind. 318, 26 N. E. Rep. 157, and cases cited; Ex parte Sweeney, 126 Ind. 583-591, 27 N. E. Rep. 127. Under the rules just stated the appellee's complaint must be held good if it states such facts as entitle him to the equitable relief he seeks; if it does not state such facts, it must be deemed bad. If it shows such facts as create a lien, then the right to the equitable relief is established, since, if a lien exists, he is entitled to a decree foreclosing it. The complaint contains these averments: That the common council of the city of Frankfort, by a unanimous vote, enacted an ordinance for the improvement of Jackson street, and providing for the assessment of abutting lots; that notice inviting proposals was published for four consecutive weeks; that divers bids were submitted to the common council; that the plaintiff's bid was the lowest and best; that the plaintiff's bid was accepted, and the contract awarded him; that on the 4th day of August, 1887, the plaintiff contracted in writing for the performance of the work, and executed a bond to secure the performance of his contract; that the contract and bond were accepted by the common council, and the mayor authorized to sign the contract for the city; that the contract provided for the collection of the expense of the improvement, except for street and alley crossings, from the owners of lots; that the plaintiff fully completed the work according to his contract; that the work was accepted by the city civil engineer and by the city; that the engineer was ordered to deliver to the plaintiff an estimate, and that he did deliver an estimate to the plaintiff on the 17th day of January, 1888; that the common council approved the estimate on the 19th day of the same month, and directed payment of the sums charged against the respective lots; that there was assessed against unplatted land owned by the appellant the sum of $154, of which sum the plaintiff demanded payment, but payment was refused, and the sum remains unpaid, except $90, paid by the appellant; that more than 60 days have elapsed since the completion of the work and the demand for payment. The estimate issued to the plaintiff is incorporated into the complaint by reference, and duly made an exhibit. The lot owned by the appellant is fully described. It is our judgment that the complaint states facts entitling the appellee to a lien. It shows compliance with all of the material statutory requirements, and this is sufficient. It is never proper to plead evidence, for only facts are to be averred. The proceedings of the municipal authorities, as shown by the proceedings of record, are evidence, but such proceedings need not be pleaded at length. It is only necessary to plead the acts done by the municipal officers, and to aver generally the facts showing that they were rightfully done. It is not necessary to go into minute...