Kucera v. Kucera

Pimey, J. The demurrer in this case is of a somewhat anomalous character, and presents the question whether, where an action is brought by two or more- plaintiffs, the defendant may demur to the complaint in so far as it relates to one of the plaintiffs only, for the reason that it does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action in favor of such plaintiff and against the defendants, it being conceded that the complaint does state facts sufficient to warrant a recovery in favor of the other plaintiff. The ground of demurrer specified by subd. 6, sec. 2649, R. S., “ that the complaint does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action,” must, as in other cases, be specified “ in the language of the subdivision of see. 2649 relied upon.” A demurrer so limited and qualified as this does not seem to be allowed bydhe statute, but had it been in the general language of subd. 6, under repeated decisions of this court from which we see no reason to depart, it must have been overruled. The objection is, in substance, that there is a misjoinder or excess of parties plaintiff. The statute does not permit a demurrer upon the ground that there is a misjoinder of parties plaintiff or defendant, ■This is not a defect of parties, within subd. 4, sec. 2649. [418] Misjoinder and excess or superfluity of parties are identical. Read v. Sang, 21 Wis. 678. That a misjoinder or excess of parties defendant is not the ground of demurrer has been expressly ruled in Great Western Compound Co. v. Ætna Ins. Co. 40 Wis. 373; Murray v. McGarigle, 69 Wis. 484. But the defendants so improperly joined may demur separately on the ground that the complaint does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action. Arzbacher v. Mayer, 53 Wis. 380. In Read v. Sang, 21 Wis. 678, it was held that the objection that the wife had been improperly joined as a plaintiff with her husband in an action in which the entire interest was in him was allowed for the peculiar reason that no judgment could be given in favor of the defendant in such case against the wife. In Willard v. Reas, 26 Wis. 540, it was held that a demurrer for excess of parties plaintiff is bad if one of them is entitled to judgment against the defendant; and Marsh v. Waupaca Co. 38 Wis. 250, is to the same point. In Schiffer v. Eau Claire, 51 Wis. 385, 393, a demurrer by a defendant to the complaint on the ground that, as to one of the plaintiffs, it did not state facts sufficient to constitute a canse of action, was overruled. And in Boyd v. Beaudin, 54 Wis. 194, it was held that the joinder- of a plaintiff who has no interest is not a ground of demurrer. In Nevil v. Clifford, 55 Wis. 161, 166, it was held that, under a general demurrer that the complaint does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action, the fact that there is a mis-joinder of parties plaintiff cannot be considered. It is therefore well settled in this state that a demurrer on this ground cannot be allowed. The case of Palmer v. Davis, 28 N. Y. 247, is cited as justifying the demurrer in question, and that conclusion is sustained.by the subséquent case of People ex rel. Lord v. Crooks, 53 N. Y. 648. These cases, while holding that a misjoinder of parties plaintiff is not a ground of demurrer, hold that any [419] special demurrer, such as this is in fact, may be sustained on the ground that the complaint does not, as to one of the plaintiffs, state a cause of action, and that the objection may also be raised at the trial, when the complaint will be dismissed as to such plaintiff, but that it will be no ground for dismissal of the complaint as to both plaintiffs. It is worthy of notice that the amended or new Code in New York, adopted since these .cases were decided (sec. 488), has specified as a distinct ground of demurrer “that there is a misjoinder of parties plaintiff or defendant.” As the defendants can avail themselves of the objection to its full extent at the trial, and there can be but one final judgment in the action, the right to have the objection allowed on demurrer cannot be a matter of much practical advantage or importance, and at best could result only in .an order that could not be carried into effect until after a trial as to the other plaintiff. We will adhere to the rule as already settled until, as in Hew York, the legislature shall change it. If the complaint states a good cause of action in favor of Mollie Kueera, it is not denied but that 'the -demurrer was properly overruled. If it does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action in her favor as against them, it is difficult to see how the defendants can be prejudiced, or said to have.been aggrieved, by the order appealed from. It must therefore be regarded as settled, in this state at least, that the question of misjoinder of plaintiffs, or whether the complaint, as to one or more of several plaintiffs, states a cause of action against the defendants, cannot be raised by demurrer, under any of the grounds allowed by sec. 2649, R. S. For these reasons the order of the circuit court must be affirmed, and the cause remanded for further proceedings according to law. By the Coivrt.— It is ordered accordingly.