Opinion ID: 1703357
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Div. 694 (53010) and 6 Div. 966 (53010)

Text: 6 Div. 694 (53010) is an appeal by Edward Wilkinson, Jr., individually and as Co-Trustee and Co-Executor, from a decree sustaining the demurrer to the June 29th (1944) petition as amended. The cause was also submitted on petition for mandamus, which is 6 Div. 966 (53010), praying that the trial court be commanded to show cause why the decree should not be reversed, vacated and annulled. The decree overruled the motion to strike the June 29th (1944) petition for prolixity but sustained the demurrer to the petition on the ground of multifariousness. Edward Wilkinson, Jr., individually and in his various representative capacities, was allowed to intervene to show cause why the petition should not be stricken for prolixity. Ordinarily we would not entertain a petition for mandamus to review a ruling of the trial court on a motion to strike for prolixity but in the instant case the case is here on appeal from a decree sustaining the demurrer to the bill. We think it would promote justice to express our views on the question of prolixity presented by the petition for mandamus. Ex parte Morton, 261 Ala. 581, 75 So.2d 500. The trial court in its decree stated that it regarded the petition as being prolix but sustained the demurrer to the petition on the ground of multifariousness in order to expedite the trial of the cause. Upon consideration by the entire court we are of the opinion that the petition should be stricken for prolixity. The petition amended a number of times is more or less a running account of much that has transpired in the entire litigation between the stockholders and directors of Western Grain Company, the administration of the estate of Edward Wilkinson, Sr., and the administration of the trusts. It contains complaints against many and divers respondents. It consists of various independent bases for relief. It contains over eighty prayers for relief and it consists of several phases of this entire controversy which is the subject of separate appeals. The June 29th petition and the various amendments together cover 349 pages of transcript paper in four different volumes of the master record. Accordingly we grant the application for mandamus and direct the court to strike the petition as prolix. We take into consideration the fact that the court regards it as prolix. Since the petition will be stricken under the aforesaid ruling, the appeal is functus officio and has no further purpose. The appeal in 6 Div. 694 (53010) is, accordingly, dismissed. Application for mandamus granted and appeal dismissed.