Treadway v. Coe

Hinman, J. This is a plea in abatement, to a motion in error, from a judgment of the superior court. There was a demurrer, in the superior court, to the cross-bill and answer of the defendant to the original bill; and it was adjudged insufficient, and the defendant had leave to amend it. The defendant, however, instead of amending, filed a motion in error, to reverse that judgment; and the question is, whether the judgment complained of, was a final judgment, on which a writ of error can be brought. We think it was not. A motion in error stands on the same footing as a writ of error. The only difference is, that in a motion in error, no service is required to be made on the opposite party; because, being before the court, when the motion is filed, he is bound to take notice of it, at his peril. Stat. 93. § 166. It is well settled, that a writ of error cannot be brought upon an interlocutory judgment; and if so brought, it will abate. Gleason v. Chester, 1 Day, 27. The only question then, is, whether this was an interlocutory, or a final, judgment. A judgment, to be final, must put an end to the suit. In this case, the original suit is still pending in court; and unless it is improperly there, it is clear, that no final judgment can have been rendered in it. To avoid this result, the plaintiff in error treats the original bill and the cross-bill as two separate suits, and insists, that the judgment is final on the cross-bill. If this could be done, in any case, the result claimed would not follow here. This judgment does not dispose of the cross-bill, even; but only gives liberty to the party to amend it: it is not dismissed. It is needless, however, to dwell on this. Two suits cannot be made of those proceedings. The cross-bill does indeed set out a title to distinct relief; but it is also a principal object of it, to answer the original bill; and so far as this object is concerned, the judgment can, in no sense, be said to be final. The court will not hold a judgment to be divisible, for the mere purpose of multiplying suits. Magill v. Lyman, 6 [285] Conn. R. 59. Lyman v. Magill, 6 Conn. R. 69. Gleason v. Chester, 1 Day, 27. Judgment will be rendered for the defendant, on his plea in abatement. In this opinion the other Judges concurred. Plea in abatement sufficient.