Duke v. Turner, 204 U.S. 623 (1907)

Duke v. Turner


No. 178


Argued January 24, 25, 1907
Decided February 25, 1907
204 U.S. 623

ERROR TO THE SUPREME COURT
OF THE TERRITORY OF OKLAHOMA

Syllabus

While the authorities are in conflict as to whether a statute of limitations, without express words to that effect, governs a proceeding in mandamus, such a proceeding is not, under the Oklahoma Code, a civil action and therefore not within the terms of the three-year statute of limitations applicable to contracts created by statute, and in that territory, if the relator is otherwise entitled to the writ, it should not be denied unless he has so slept upon his rights for such an unreasonable time that the delay has been prejudicial to the defendant or the rights of other interested parties.

The facts are stated in the opinion.