City of Fond du Lac v. Barber Asphalt Paving Co.

Vin.te, J. Defendant again argues the absence of fraud in its contract with the city, though this court has twice held to the contrary. McMillan v. Fond du Lac, 139 Wis. 367, 120 N. W. 240, and McMillan v. Barber A. P. Co. 151 Wis. 48, 138 N. W. 94. That the hardship imposed upon it hy [472] the ruling in tbe latter case was necessitated by its own conduct was clearly shown by the opinion of the court therein, and the grounds therefor need not be restated. The way of transgressors is still hard. It is also urged that the defendant is not concluded by the judgment in the case of McMillan v. Fond du Lac, 139 Wis. 367, 120 N. W. 240, because, while it appeared by counsel in that case, it did not have control of the litigation. The same contention was made in McMillan v. Barber A. P. Co. 151 Wis. 48, 138 N. W. 94, upon practically the same record, and was disposed of adversely to the defendant. We are satisfied the ruling was correct. Plaintiff paid the money sought to be recovered in January, 1909, and this action was begun in March, 1911. It is claimed the city has been guilty of such laches as to preclude a recovery. It does not appear that the delay has in any way operated to the disadvantage of the defendant. So, irrespective of the correctness of the claim of the plaintiff that it' required about two years to elect officials who would prosecute the action, it cannot be held that the trial court erred in finding there was no laches. By the Court. — Judgment affirmed.