McLaughlin v. Beyers

SOMERVILLE, J. It was formerly held by this court that the granting or refusing of continuances was entirely within the discretion of- the trial court, and that its exercise was “beyond the jurisdiction of the appellate court to control or revise.” — Humes v. O’Bryan, 74 Ala. 64, 78; Campbell v. White, 77 Ala. 397. Later it was said that “the continuance of a case is within the discretion of the trial court, and the exercise of this discretion will not be reviewed on appeal, except in a case where it is shown that the court has abused the discretion vested in it.” — Spann v. Torbert, 130 Ala. 541, 30 South. 389. Still later it has been declared that the action of the trial court will not be revised on appeal unless a gross abuse of the discretion is shoAvn. — Kelly v. State, 160 Ala. 48, 49 South. 535. It seems, however, that in criminal cases the constitutional right of the defendant to have compulsory process for his Avitnesses may sometimes be so involved in the question as to nullify the general rule as to discretion. — Rodgers v. State, 144 Ala. 32, 40 South. 572. In the present case the suit Avas filed on March 22, 1909, and a demurrer Avas filed to the complaint on April 27, 1909. On October 20, 1909, and again on February 21, 1910, the cause Avas continued at the instance of defendant on account of his sickness. On June 2, 1910, defendant again moved for a continuance, show [546] ing to the court in support thereof, as recited by the docket entry, “that the cause of action as set forth in the complaint had arisen after the sickness of the plaintiff (?) had begun, and that the plaintiff (?) had been in danger of death since the said sickness had begun, and at times very much better.” Substituting “defendant” for “plaintiff” in this entry — as was evidently intended — it does not appear that defendant was physically or mentally unable to appear in court for trial on the date mentioned. Thereupon the court entered an order continuing the cause on account of defendant’s sickness, and upon his paying all accrued costs within 30 days, for which execution was to be issued. The bill of exceptions recites that defendant “then and there in open court excepted to the said action of the said court, and the said judgment of the said court, in taxing them with the cost of the said cause as set forth in said motion (?).” On June 24, 1910, defendant filed a motion tó set aside “that part of the order of this court taxing him with the cost of said cause” on the ground, primarily, that he was sick and unable to attend court. Several other grounds are stated, but they do not merit mention or consideration. In support of this motion the testimony of defendant’s attending physician was offered, and it seems to establish the fact of defendant’s physical and mental unfitness to take part in the tidal of his case — at least there was no testimony offered to the contrary. This motion was heard and overruled on June 29, 1910, to which defendant duly excepted. The transcript shows that this appeal is taken from the judgment for costs rendered June 2, 1910, and also from the judgment of June 30 (29?); 1910. As has already been noted, the showing made for a continuance on June 2nd was wholly insufficient; and, [547] sucli being the case, no error could possibly have been predicated on an absolute denial of that motion. Exercising its lawful discretion, however, the motion was-granted on condition that defendant should pay the-costs already accrued. — Torrey v. Bishop, 104 Ala. 548, 16 South. 422. By a seasonable objection, defendant might have rejected the continuance on such terms, and complained of the refusal to grant a continuance, if he-so desired. But the effect of his exception was to accept the continuance, with a rejection only of the terms-imposed. This Avas held not permissible in Humes v. O’Bryan, 74 Ala. 64, 78, where it was said: “The enjoyment of the benefit of the order as made Avas an acceptance of the condition with which the court saAV fit to burden it. The íavo should have been accepted or rejected as an entirety, and this course does not seem to-have been folloAved.” The imposition of costs as a condition to granting the continuance being Avithin the unrevisable discretion of' the trial court, it folloAvs that no appeal lies from the order and judgment of the court in that behalf, and the appeal must therefore be dismissed. Appeal dismissed. All the Justices concur.