Descalso v. Duane

TEMPLE, C. This appeal is from an order somewhat in consistent in its terms, denying and dismissing a motion for a new trial. To deny a motion is to entertain and act upon it, and at the same time to end it, when, of course, it cannot be dismissed. A dismissal is a refusal to entertain it. The two forms were adopted because the decisions of this court have caused some doubt as to what is the proper remedy in case the moving party fails to prosecute his motion with reasonable diligence. In Quivey v. Gambert, 32 Cal. 305, it was held that an order dismissing a motion for a new trial, or striking [894]out the statement, was not appealable, because though after final judgment in point of time, they did not follow it in legal sequence, or in the same line of procedure, and did not depend upon it. The court therefore recommended that the trial court let the motion proceed to the final hearing, and then deny it for failure to prosecute with reasonable diligence. In Calderwood v. Peyser, 42 Cal. 110, this rule is criticised, and the rule declared to be that any special order made after final judgment is appealable, the only test being the point of time. But the court still held that it was error to dismiss the motion for a failure to prosecute, but that the proper practice was to deny the motion. The legitimate penalty for failure to prosecute an action or proceeding would seem to be a dismissal, and if it be allowed to be regularly submitted for decision it is difficult to see why it should not be decided on its merits. This practice has sometimes been insisted upon since Calderwood v. Peyser, as in McDonald v. McConkey, 57 Cal. 325, and sometimes it has not been, as in Chase v. Evoy, 58 Cal. 348, in which it was said it makes no difference. In the present case the motion was not in a condition to be submitted, and the order must be considered as a dismissal. I think the practice was proper.

Appellant contends that such a motion cannot now be dismissed for failure to prosecute, because either party may bring the motion on to be heard: Code Civ. Proc., sec. 660. This section provides that the motion shall be heard at the earliest practicable period after notice of the motion, when made on the minutes of the court, or after the affidavits, bill of exceptions, or statement, as the case may be, are filed, and may be brought to a hearing by either party. But before either party can bring it on to be heard it must' be in a condition in which it can be submitted; and if it is not, simply because of the inexcusable neglect of the moving party, the opposite party may apply for a dismissal. Here, after the statement had been agreed upon, the moving party was ordered by the court to have it engrossed. More than five months elapsed before the respondent made his motion for a dismissal, during which nothing was done. The statement was a short one, and could have been engrossed in two or three days. At the time no showing was made, explaining or excusing the delay, except that a few orders were procured,