Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church v. Thorson

Colb, J. This case comes fully within the reasoning and principle of the decision in Smithbeck vs. Larsen, 18 Wis., 183. It is there stated that the language “ successful party,” as used in section 56, chap. 133, R. S., must be understood to mean the party who finally obtains judgment on appeal, without reference to the question whether such judgment is greater or less than the one recovered before the justice. It is claimed that this case is distinguishable from that of Smithbeck vs. Larsen, because here the plaintiff appealed, while the damages recovered in the circuit court were no greater than the amount recovered before the justice, and therefore the plaintiff can in no sense be said to be the successful party. Besides, it is said that it is most unjust to make the defendant, who was satisfied with the judgment rendered by the justice, pay all the costs made on the appeal, because he did not defeat the plaintiff’s claim altogether. There is undoubtedly great force in these considerations, but they are more properly addressed to the legislature than to the courts. The defendant, as the law now stands, might have relieved himself from the payment of the costs of the circuit court, by serving upon the plaintiff an offer in writing to allow judgment to be taken against him in conformity to chap. 97, Laws of 1858. This he did not do, and therefore, whatever might be our views as to the equity and justice of an amend [36] ment to the statute in reference to costs on appeal in a case like this, we must bold, as the law stands, that the plaintiff was entitled to recover costs in the circuit court. By the Court. — The j udgment of the circuit courtis affirmed.