Brossard v. Morgan ( 1899 )

SULLIVAN, J.

— This is an appeal from an order granting a new trial. It appears that, after the motion for a new trial was made, the appellant, who was the defendant, interposed a motion to correct the decree, so as to maim it contain the following, to wit: “That the said John T. Morgan, is entitled to, and adjudged and decreed the right to, the use of one-third of the water of Stockton creek, by prescription.” The record •does not inform us whether said motion was passed upon by the court. The motion for a new trial was granted, which resulted in a denial of the motion to correct the decree. The judgment and decree must be supported by the findings of fact, and we search the record in vain for a finding of fact that would support a decree such as is demanded by appellant’s said motion. The court finds the rights of respondents Brossard, Vanness and Hadley to the use of water awarded to them to be prior to appellant’s right. Before the decree ■could be changed, as suggested by said motion, the findings ■of fact made by the court, and the conclusions of law drawn therefrom, must be radically changed. If the decree were ■changed as suggested by appellant, the record would be very peculiar. We would have findings of fact and conclusions that would not support the judgment and decree, but in ■direct conflict with them; and the well-established rule that the judgment must be supported by the findings of fact would be set at naught. It is the duty of the trial court to find the facts. This court has no authority in that regard, and, if new or different findings of fact are necessary, a new trial may be granted.

This appeal is from the order granting a new trial, and the •only question before us is whether the court erred in making said order. The rule is well established that an order granting a new trial will not be reversed, on appeal, unless it is made to appear that there has been a manifest abuse of discretion in making such order. Section 657 of the Code of Civil Procedure of California is the same as section 4439 of the Revised Statutes. See notes and authorities cited in Deer-ing’s Code, under said section 657. (Pico v. Cohn, 67 Cal. 258, 7 Pac. 680; Pacific Rolling-Mill Co. v. Telegraph Hill R. Go., 79 Cal. 340, 21 Pac. 840.) As the record fails to show any abuse of discretion in making said order, the action of the court or judge in granting the new trial must be sustained. Costs of appeal are awarded to respondents.

Huston, C. J., and Quarles, J., concur.