Case Name: FLYNN v. DAVIDSON
Court: Oregon Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Oregon
Decision Date: 1916-02-29
Citations: 80 Or. 502
Docket Number: 
Parties: FLYNN v. DAVIDSON.
Judges: Mr. Justice Eakin took no part in the consideration of this case.
Reporter: Oregon Reports
Volume: 80
Pages: 502–506

Head Matter:
Motion to dismiss appeal denied February 29,
appeal dismissed when heard on merits May 23, 1916.
FLYNN v. DAVIDSON.
(155 Pac. 197; 157 Pac. 788.)
Appeal and Error—Decisions Appealable.
1. As a general rule, an order setting aside a default is of an intermediate character and not appealable, though it may be reviewed on appeal from the final judgment or decree.
[As to what judgments and orders may be appealed from, see note in 20 Am. St. Rep. 173.]
Appeal and Error—Motion to Dismiss.
2. On motion to dismiss an appeal from an order opening a default, the merits of the order cannot be considered, therefore, where appellant, conceding, the general rule that such orders are not appealable, contended that the order was a nullity and appealable, a motion to dismiss the appeal will be denied, with permission to renew on final hearing, nothing remaining to be done except for respondent to file a brief.
Appeal and Error—Abstract of Record—Dismissal.
• 3. Where, through an honest mistake in calculating the time, appellant failed to file an abstract of the record within 20 days after transcript was filed, as required , by court Rule VI (56 Or. 616, 117 Pac. ix), the appeal will not be dismissed; the hearing not being delayed.
Appeal and Error—Decisions Reviewable—“Final Order.”
4. Under Section 548, L. O. L., providing that appeals may be had from an order affecting a substantial right, and which in effect determines the action or a final order affecting a substantial right, an order of the court under Section 3710, L. O. L., providing that any defendant against whom judgment h'as been rendered, and who has not been personally served, and who has not appeared therein, may, upon good cause shown, be allowed to defend and file his objections within one year after the entry thereof, vacating a final decree of foreclosure in a suit to foreclose a certificate of delinquency of taxes in which service was had on the plaintiff by publication and permitting him to answer, was an intermediate order, and not appealable unless void.
Judgment—Parties—-Subject Matter—“Void Judgment.”
5. In a suit to foreclose a certificate of delinquency of taxes, an order vacating a final decree of foreclosure against the defendant after service by publication and permitting him to answer, the court having jurisdiction of the parties and subject matter, is not void, although it may be erroneous.
From Baker: Gustav Anderson, Judge.
In Banc. Statement by Mr. Justice Harris.
Bernard Flynn commenced a suit to foreclose a delinquent tax certificate against Watson P. Davidson, Sumpter Hotel Company, a corporation, Wilson Investment Company, a corporation, Frank Beaden, Emma Beaden, J. W. Morrow and Cus Pinson. All the defendants having’ defaulted, the court rendered a judgment and decree; but afterward the default of Watson P. Davidson, one of the defendants, was set aside, the judgment and decree were vacated, and he was permitted to file an answer. The plaintiff appealed from the order. The respondent Davidson moves to dismiss the appeal: (1) Because the order is not appealable; and (2) because the abstract of record was not filed within the required time. In Banc. Statement by Mr. Justice Benson.
Mr. J. J. Heilner and Messrs. Wood & McCulloch, for the motion.
Mr. George E. Allen, Mr. John L. Rand and Mr. A. A. Smith, contra.

Opinion:
Mr. Justice Harris
delivered the opinion of the court.
1, 2. As a general rule, an order setting aside a default is of an intermediate character, and is not appealable, although it may be reviewed if an appeal is taken from the final judgment or decree: Taylor v. Taylor, 61 Or. 257 (121 Pac. 431, 964); Hall v. McCan, 62 Or. 556 (126 Pac. 5). The appellant concedes the general rule, but relies upon what is said in First Christian Church v. Robb, 69 Or. 283 (138 Pac. 856), contends that the order was void and therefore an utter nullity, and argues that a void order is appeal-able The merits of the order can neither be examined nor determined on a motion to dismiss the appeal. Since nothing remains to be done on the appeal except the filing of a brief by the respondent, and in view of the condition of the record and the question involved, we do not now decide whether the order is appealable, but merely deny the motion, with permission to renew it on the final hearing.
On August 29,1914, plaintiff began this suit to foreclose a certificate of delinquency of taxes against certain property in Sumpter. . Service was had upon the defendant Davidson by publication. A final decree of foreclosure upon defendant was entered on November 7, 1914. Thereafter, on September 8, 1915, Davidson filed a motion to set aside the decree and to be per mitted to file Ms objections and defend. Upon a hearing the trial court, on October 8,1915, entered an order vacating the decree and permitting the defendant to file his answer to the complaint. From this order, plaintiff appeals. Heretofore a motion to dismiss the appeal was submitted to this court, and an order was then made denying the motion, but with leave to present the same upon the final hearing.
3. The appellant did not file an abstract of the record within 20 days after the transcript was filed, as prescribed by Rule VI of our rules (56 Or. 616, 11.7 Pac. ix). The record shows that there has not been any disposition unduly to delay the hearing; only a few days of delay resulted from an honest mistake in calculating the time for the filing of the abstract, and therefore the mistake should be excused: St. Martin v. Hendershott (now pending on merits), (151 Pac. 706).
The motion to dismiss is denied, with the right to renew the motion when the cause is heard on the merits. Motion Denied.
Mr. Justice Eakin took no part in the consideration of this case.