Moudry v. Patrick Cudahy Family Co.

The following opinion was filed October 24, 1916: KeeaviN, J. Several errors are assigned and discussed in this case, but in the view we take of it it is only necessary to consider the motion made by the respondent in the circuit court to dismiss the appeal because not properly taken. It [511] appears without dispute that when the appeal was taken from the civil to the circuit court the judgment had not been entered nor the costs taxed. The Civil Court Act, sec. 28, ch. 549, Laws 1909, as amended by ch. 320, Laws 1913, provides that the appeal shall be taken within twenty days after entry of the judgment or order' appealed from. It is conceded by counsel for appellant that independent of sec. 2836a, Stats., no appeal was taken, but it is claimed that this statute cures the defect in talcing the appeal before entry of judgment. This statute provides that, in case it shall. appear upon a hearing on a motion to dismiss an appeal that the appeal was attempted to be taken in good faith, the court shall have power in its discretion to allow any defect or omission in the notice, undertaking, or other appeal papers to be supplied, either with or without terms, and with the same effect as if the appeal had been originally properly taken. This statute plainly contemplates that there must be a judgment to appeal from at the time the defective appeal is taken, and the statute obviously is intended to cure defects in the appeal papers. But we think it is clear that the statute cannot be held to cover a case where no judgment had been rendered at the time the appeal was attempted to be taken. There was no right of appeal before entry of judgment given by statute. The statute expressly provides that the appeal shall be taken within twenty days “after entry of the judgment.” To construe this statute so as to validate the present appeal would be simply to hold that the statute allows an appeal from a judgment before any judgment is entered. We are therefore of opinion that the motion to dismiss the appeal should have been granted. By the Gourt. — The judgment of the court below is reversed, and the cause remanded with instructions to dismiss the appeal to the circuit court. A motion for a rehearing was denied, with $25 costs, on January 16, 1917.