Olson v. Muskegon Circuit Judge

Graves, O. J. The relator filed his complaint with a justice of the peace under Comp. L., § 6707, to recover from one Charles Jones the possession of certain premises. A summons was issued by the justice returnable on the 21st of March at 9 o’clock in the forenoon, and was personally served on the same day it was issued. The parties regularly attended at the time fixed for the return, but the summons had not been handed in. They remained in attendance until after 10, at which time the constable appeared and made a formal return of the process. A d ef ect was noticed in the complaint. That part of it next preceding the prayer for relief was in these terms: “ That he, the said Andrew Olson, is now lawfully entitled to the possession of the said lands and premises with the appurtenances, but that the said-holds the same unlawfully, and against the rights of the complainant; wherefore,” etc. The defendant’s name was omitted from the blank. The defendant informed the justice that he appeared specially to object to the proceedings and that he moved to dismiss the complaint, because 1st, the summons was not returned until after 10; and 2d, the complaint did not allege that the defendant or any other person unlawfully held possession. The justice overruled the motion and defendant abandoned the case. The plaintiff however went on and recovered judgment. The defendant then took a special appeal, alleging error on the grounds stated in the motion [88] made before tbe justice, and tbe circuit court reversed tbe judgment on said grounds and gave costs to the defendant. The relator applied to this court for a mandamus to compel the court below to set aside that reversal, and the usual order having been made the respondent has proceeded to show cause why a mandcomus ought not to issue. And the objection first in order is that a writ of error and not mandamus is the proper remedy. The relator replies— First, that the Court in entertaining the application and allowing the order to show cause decided this point and that it is now too late to question the fitness of the proceeding; and second, that the ease is really a proper one for mandamus. Neither of these positions taken by relator is correct. On examination of the record it is plain that the Court is asked to revise the final judgment of the circuit court upon grounds and matters which appear of record and where everything necessary to a determination would be regularly returnable on writ of error. That the jurisdiction by mandamus is not suitable is clear. Stall v. Diamond 37 Mich. 429 ; O’Brien v. Tallman 36 Mich. 13 ; Mabley v. Judge of Superior Court 32 Mich. 190; Wiley v. Circuit Judge 29 Mich. 487. The cases cited to the point by relator’s counsel are distinguishable. In the next place it is a grave misapprehension to suppose that the point was ruled by the allowance of an order to show cause. It frequently occurs, no doubt, that the Court will not even go so far as to make an order. But when this is so it is because the case is so clear against the relator on the presentation of his papers that the Court is not disposed to assent to any step which contemplates further cost. But the application being ex parte it is not to be supposed that the Court, though it allow an order, will consider itself or the defendant, who has not been heard, concluded on the question of the validity and propriety of the remedy. The occasion for a decisive examination of that point in case there is any real ground for a difference of opinion is not presented until both parties are in a position to be heard, and [89] the proceeding to show canse is the proper proceeding for it. The defendant is then put to the task to show why the remedy sought should not be granted, and it belongs to that inquiry to find out whether mandamus is warranted or not. It follows from this that the pending application must be denied. However, as the whole matter has been gone into and no •difficulty is felt in regard to the merits, it may lead to beneficial results if an expression upon them is intimated, though informally. The view of the justice was no doubt correct. The defect in the complaint was not jurisdictional nor indeed a serious error. The omission of defendant’s name where it occurred was only a clerical omission and there was ■enough in the residue of the complaint to correct it and fill up the blank. It often happens that a court of law is able to apply construction to correct a fault or supply an omission on the face of an instrument: Wilson v. Wilson 31 E. L. & E. 29-37; Austin v. Lamar F. Ins. Co. 108 Mass. 338, Commonwealth v. Taylor 113 Mass. 1; Currier v. Bartlett 122 Mass. 133. As to return of process. The constable appeared and made an actual return in a little more than an hour later than the time specified. Both parties were present and remained in attendance until the return, and there is no evidence that defendant raised any question during the interim about waiting, or that he was at all prejudiced. It was in the power of the justice to retain the case for a reasonable time, and there is no foundation for saying that the power was exceeded or abused. Whatever is amiss is susceptible of being set right on motion in the circuit court, and should be. The writ denied with costs. The other Justices concurred.