When several actions are brought on one instrument, or for the same cause of action, against several parties who might have been joined as defendants in the same action, costs shall be allowed to the plaintiff in but one of such actions, to be selected by the plaintiff, if at the commencement of such action the defendants in the other actions were openly within the state; but plaintiff's disbursements may be allowed as provided in section 549.04.
History:(9474) RL s 4341; 1977 c 347 s 62; 1986 c 444