Winslow v. Gohransen

Harrison, J. The appeal in this case is direct from the judgment upon the judgment roll alone. The appellant seeks its reversal upon the ground that the court below did not make findings upon all the issues in the case. The complaint is in the ordinary form of a complaint in ejectment. The answer denies its several allegations, alleges title in the defendant, pleads the statute of limitations, and sets up an equitable defense. The court found only the facts which were alleged in the complaint, and rendered judgment in favor of the plaintiff.

In Himmelman v. Henry, 84 Cal. 104, it was held that “a failure to find upon some issue, a finding upon which would merely have the effect of invalidating a judgment fully supported by the findings made, will not be held ground for reversal, unless it is shown by statement or bill of exceptions that evidence was submitted in relation to such issue.” Appellant seeks to distinguish the present case from Himmelman v. Henry, 84 Cal. 104, by the fact that it is recited in the findings herein that “the court proceeded to hear said cause upon the issues made by the complaint, and the answer of the defendant [452]thereto; and. the court, having heard the proofs of the parties in support of the issues last aforesaid, and the arguments of counsel, makes the findings of fact and conclusions of law”; and he contends that this recital is a sufficient compliance with the rule laid down in Himmelman v. Henry, 84 Cal. 104.

If we should concede that this statement in the findings is sufficient to authorize us to assume that evidence ■was received upon the issues presented by the answer, it would not follow that the failure to make a finding upon such issues was error available to the defendant upon this appeal. The opinion of the court in Himmelman v. Henry, 84 Cal. 104, that a judgment would not be reversed for failure to find upon an issue, “ unless it was shown that evidence was submitted in relation to such issue,” necessarily implied that the evidence so shown must be sufficient to authorize such a finding as would “have the effect of invalidating a judgment fully supported by the findings made.” Such a finding would not be authorized if the evidence introduced was insufficient to sustain the allegations presenting the issues, any more than it would if there were no evidence introduced in reference thereto. In either case the finding of the court cquld only be against the allegation, and consequently wmuld not “invalidate” the judgment rendered in accordance with the other findings; and inasmuch as the failure to make such finding would not affect the substantial rights of the appellant, the judgment ought not to be reversed. (Code Civ. Proc., sec. 475.)