James v. Williams
James v. Williams
Opinion of the Court
The first appeal having been dismissed, the second was taken too late to permit the appeal from the order denying the defendant’s motion for a new trial to be heard, and consequently it stands on the judgment roll alone.
No objection is made to the complaint as being insufficient to warrant the relief granted, and we think it states facts, which if true, entitle the plaintiff to such relief as is prayed for. And if no one of the facts therein stated, and which are put in issue by the answer, were contained in the findings, the
The only questions arising upon the findings in such case— if any written finding is filed—are these: Are the findings within the issues? And are they consistent with the judgment ? The question is not whether the facts found are, by themselves, or when taken in connection with those admitted by the pleadings, sufficient to sustain the judgment; for, as already remarked, the findings are, in the absence of exception, aided by the presumption that the facts in issue not contained in the finding as filed, and which are essential as a basis for the judgment, were found.
The opinion of the Judge who tried the cause, stating the evidence or bis analysis of it or some portion of either, coupled with the reasons for his rulings, is always valuable, and generally of great assistance to the appellate Court in their examination of the questions arising upon motion for a new trial, or bill of exceptions or statement on appeal; but neither the opinion nor the evidence form a part of the findings of fact, though it may happen to be incorporated therein. The findings in this case are liable to the objections noticed in the opinion of Mr. Justice Sawyer, in Hidden v. Jordan. We mention this matter because the defendants’ points, which are based upon the findings, do not relate to facts—the ultimate facts in the case—but rather to matters of evidence or of opinion. When we are required to examine the findings we must discard all matters merely of evidence or opinion that may be contained therein, and look to the facts alone.
The first and second points amount in effect to the same thing. The first is, that the findings show that the plaintiffs’ ditch was not completed along the line in dispute within a
The remaining point is that “the findings treat as of no moment the enlargement of the plaintiffs’ ditch and as to it, we agree with the plaintiffs’ counsel, that while the finding that the plaintiffs are entitled to all the water at the place in dispute remains, the capacity of the ditch or its enlargement is of no moment. At least it is not material until the defendants establish their adverse possession, a fact which the Court found against them.
Judgment affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- WILLIAM JAMESs. v. WM. H. WILLIAMSs.
- Cited By
- 14 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Findings of Fact.—If the Court does not draw up a written finding of all the facts put in issue, and no exception is taken for want of a finding, the presumption is that those facts necessary to sustain the judgment, and not contained in the findings, were found by the Court. Questions to be raised on Findings of Fact.—The only question that can be raised in the appellate Court upon the findings, if no exception is taken to them, is, are they consistent with the judgment. Evidence no part of Findings of Fact.—Neither the opinion of the Court nor the evidence form any part of the findings of fact,* although incorporated therein by the Court. In looking at the findings the Court will only consider the ultimate facts found. Consideration of the Evidence.—The objection thq,t the evidence does not warrant the judgment, can be entertained only on motion for a new trial. Enlargement of Ditch.—If the owner of a ditch is entitled to all the water flowing down the stream where the ditch starts out, other parties having ditches on the same stream cannot complain of its enlargement.