State Ex Rel. School District No. 56 v. Kleckner

BELT, J. This is a proceeding in quo warranto to test the validity of the consolidation of certain school districts in Clatsop and Columbia Counties and the right of the directors and clerk thereof to hold their respective offices. On the original summons the sheriff was directed to and did serve a copy of the complaint and summons on defendant Kleckner, chairman of the board of directors, and a copy of the summons only on the other defendants. No appearance was made by any of the defendants, and after order of default, judgment was entered by Honorable J. U. Campbell, Circuit Judge, declaring null and void the proceedings had to consolidate the school districts in question and that the defendants Kleckner, Jacobson, Darnell and Hodgmen were wrongfully and unlawfully attempting to exercise rights as such school officers. Appeal was taken from this judgment, and, while the cause was pending in this court, plaintiff caused a second summons and complaint to be served on each of the defendants herein. Special appearance was made to quash such service of summons on the ground that the trial court had lost juris [373] diction by reason of tbe pending appeal, but the motion was denied. Judgment was ag’ain entered by Honorable J. A. Eakin, Circuit Judge, having the same import as that which had been previously rendered. From this second judgment appeal was taken. In oral argument counsel for respondents frankly admitted that summons was issued in the first instance through inadvertence and mistake on the theory that quo warranto was an equitable proceeding. Section 363, Or. L., provides that the writ of quo warranto is abolished and that the remedy heretofore obtained thereby may now be had in an action at law. Since this is an action, and not a suit, it follows that a copy of the complaint and summons must have been served on each of the defendants in order to acquire jurisdiction: Section 55, Or. L.; Lane v. Ball, 83 Or. 404 (160 Pac. 144, 163 Pac. 975). It is clear that the first judgment entered is null and void on account of failure to obtain jurisdiction over the persons affected thereby. Is the second judgment of any force or effect, based upon service of summons after appeal from the first judgment had been perfected? We think not. No doubt the second summons was issued in the hope of curing what was then recognized to be a fatal error. However, after the appeal was perfected, the lower court lost jurisdiction of the cause and could take.no step to defeat appellants of the right to prosecute their appeal with effect. It is not a question of correcting the record so as truly to set forth the proceedings as they actually occurred: Helms Groover & Lubber Co. v. Copenhagen, 93 Or. 410. (177 Pac. 935); 2 R. C. L. 120. A recognition of any other rule would lead to uncertainty and confusion in litigation, and in effect would enable the lower court to review its [374] own proceedings: Hanley v. Stewart, 54 Or. 38 (102 Pac. 2); Durbrow v. Chesley, 23 Cal. App. 627 (138 Pac. 917); Inland Nursery & Floral Co. v. Rice, 56 Wash. 21 (104 Pac. 1117); 3 C. J. 1255. We cannot agree with the contention that Kleckner is a necessary party to these appeals, and that because of failure to make him so the cause should be dismissed. It has been many times held in this jurisdiction that a necessary party to an appeal is one whose interest in the judgment appealed from is in conflict with the modification or reversal sought by the appellant: Spitzer v. “Annette Rolph” et al., 110 Or. 461 (218 Pac. 748, 223 Pac. 253); Smith v. Burns, 71 Or. 133 (135 Pac. 200, 142 Pao. 352, Ann. Cas. 1916A, 686, L. R. A. 1915A, 1130). In the instant ease Kleckner is certainly not interested in sustaining the judgment of the lower court that he was wrongfully and unlawfully usurping the office of school director. He could not further be aggrieved by a decision of this court. Furthermore, having made no appearance he was in default. It was therefore unnecessary to make him a party on appeal: Section 550, Or. L.; In re Faling’s Will, 105 Or. 365 (208 Pac. 715); United States Investment Corp. v. Portland Hospital, 40 Or. 523 (64 Pac. 644, 67 Pac. 194, 56 L. R. A. 627). It follows that the judgments entered herein, so far as affected by these appeals, are reversed and the action is dismissed without prejudice. Eeversed and Dismissed. McBride, C. J., and Bean, J., concur in the result. Brown J., concurs. [375] For the petition, Mr. F. G. Leinenwéber, District Attorney, and Messrs. G. G. $ A. G. Fulton. Contra, Messrs. Norblad & Hesse.