State ex rel. Rearick v. Leggett

WHITING, P. J. [1] This is an original proceeding brought in this court under the provisions of sections 5 and 6, chapter 178, Laws 1913 (formerly sections 298 and 299, Code of Civ. Proc.), seeking either an order directing the trial judge to amend the settled record in this cause by including therein a certain exhibit received in evidence upon the trial, or, in lieu thereof, an order of this court thus amending such settled record. It appears that the trial judge was asked to so amend the settled record; that the trial court issued an order requiring the adverse party to show cause why such amendment should not be made; and that, upon the return of said order, the trial court issued an order wherein it found that said exhibit was received in evidence, and “should have been attached by the clerk of the courts to the settled record in this action and paged, and should have been included in the order of the court as a part of the settled record,” but such order further recited that such application “is denied upon the sole ground that, the appeal having already been perfected, this court is without jurisdiction to now make said order.” It thus appears that it was the view of the judge of such court that his power to settle a record depended upon the trial courts having present jurisdiction over the action itself. The conclusion of the trial judge is in-conflict with the settled law of this and many, if not all, other jurisdictions. Foley-Wadsworth Imp. Co. v. Porteous, 7 S. D. 35, 63 N. W. 155; Hedlun v. Holy Terror Mining Co., 14 S. D. 369, 85 N. W. 861; Juckett v. Fargo Mer. Co., 18 S. D. 347, 100 N. W. 742; Coulter v. G. N. Ry. Co., 5 N. D. 568, 67 N. W. 1046; Flynn v. Cottle, 47 Cal. 527. A very full discussion of this question and of the circumstances that should control the granting or refusing of an amendment is to be found in Haynes, New Trial & Appeal, § 160. [258] It seems to us, however, that the fundamental reason why the taking of an appeal does not affect the power of the trial court to settle a record, or amend same after settlement, has never been suggested by this court in any of the above cases. Is the power that is vested in the party who served as the trial judge upon the trial of an action or- — under -certain special circumstances — vested in this- court, or in some person to be -by this court named, a power dependent upon any present jurisdiction over the action itself, or is it rather a power given to the person who tried the cause, simply because of his peculiar fitness for .the work, and regardless of any jurisdiction he may have as a court over the action at the time he is called upon to settle the record, and, when such person cannot or will not act, intrusted to this court, not as an appellate tribunal, but because of necessity, and of the fact that the lawmaking power thought this court the body best fitted to perform such duties, although it is a duty that might legally have been intrusted to some person or persons not members of the ju-diciary? We think it clear that the power to settle a record is one in no manner dependent upon the existence, in the person or -body settling such record, of any jurisdiction over the action wherein the record was made. The person who acts as the trial judge is empowered to settle a record after he ceases to be judge. Section 6, supra; Port Huron Co. v. Zickrick, 22 S. D. 353, 117 N. W. 685. In a proper case an application can be made to this court, under section 5, to settle a bill of exceptions, or, under section 6, to direct the manner of settling same, regardless of whether or not the cause has been appealed to this court. It may well happen that such applications will be more frequently made prior to an appeal than after, as the first use for a settled record is generally upon a motion for new trial; for the purposes of such motion such applications have been made to and granted by this court. Surely the power given to- this court to settle records, or to direct the manner of their settlement, is one entirely separate and distinct from its power as an appellate court, and is one intrusted to this court much like that given the judges thereof by section 461, Code Civ. Proc., which section was construed .by this court in- the case of Aldrich v. Publishing Company et al., 27 S. D. 589, 132 N. W. 278, wherein, in speaking of such power, it was said: “Outside of its powers as an appellate court, and out [259] side of any jurisdiction which it has acquired as such appellate court, * * * it may, in a proper case, * * * grant relief, * * * which relief is granted, not by virtue of any power or jurisdiction- it has -acquired upon the appeal, but solely by virtue of th'e power given to it -by said section.” It is for this reason that the power given- to the trial judge and to this court under sections 5 and 6, supra, may be exercised, regardless of whether the cause itself is still within the jurisdiction of the trial court or is pending upon appeal to this court. This court has had frequent occasion, after appeal taken, to transmit a settled record back to the trial court for the purpose of allowing an amendment thereto. This was done in State v. Harbour, 27 S. D. 42, 129 N. W. 565, and Thompson v. C., M. & St. P. Ry. Co., 26 S. D. 297, 128 N. W. 809, in both of which cases matters of practice in relation to the settlement of such records and the effect thereof were discussed. In the case now before us the settled record has never been transmitted to this court. [2] It is therefore clear that, íegardless of any appeal taken, whenever good cause i-s shown for the settling of a record or the amendment of one already settled — even though it may be nec^ essary .to extend the time theretofore granted for the settling of a record — the trial judge retains full authority and has full right to settle a record, and should so settle or amend same when the ends of justice so require. The effect of a change in the settled record upon the rights of the parties to an -appeal then pending, as well as the right of the parties to amend the printed records upon appeal so that such printed records may conform to- an amended settled record, are matters to be determined solely by this court as an appellate court, upon such application as may be made thereto. [3] The sole question remaining for our determination is whether or not this court should now act under the power given it by section 5, supra, or whether it should, under section 6, supra, direct the judge of the trial court herein. This court is not given the power to -amend settled records, at least so long as the trial judge has not refused to do so. Hedlun v. Holy Terror Min. Co., supra; Jones v. Sioux Falls, 18 S. D. 477, 101 N. W. 43. While it is true that the judge of the trial court has declined [260] to amend the record in accordance with the true facts, yet it is also, apparent that his refusal so to do was solely because he believed that he had no power or authority in the premises. The judge of the trial court is in a far better position than is this court or any justice thereof to determine the facts herein, both those relating to what took place upon the trial, and those relating to the existence of sufficient cause for excusing plaintiff for his delay in asking for such amendment. We are therefore of the opinion that an order from this court should issue, directing the lower court to reconsider the application for the amendment of the settled record, and to act upon the merits thereof. This court does not and should not intimate what the trial court should conclude upon the merits of such application. Severson v. Milwaukee Mechanics’ Mut. Ins. Co., 3 S. D. 413, 53 N. W. 860.