United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Gleason v. District of Columbia, 127 U.S. 133 (1888)

Gleason v. District of Columbia

No. 216

Argued April 10, 1888

Decided April 23, 1888

127 U.S. 133

APPEAL FROM THE COURT OF CLAIMS

Syllabus

G. performed work for the District of Columbia and received therefor in January, 1874, certificates of indebtedness of the Board of Public Works of the District. He pledged these certificates as collateral for a 60-days note for an amount much less than their face, and made a general transfer of them to the pledgee. Before the maturity of the note,

Page 127 U. S. 134

his creditor absconded. He then notified the President and the Treasurer of the Board verbally of the transfer, and verbally protested to the Board against payment of the certificates to the persons who had become holders of them. In June, 1874, the Board was abolished, and a Board of Audit was created to examine and audit for settlement the outstanding certificates of indebtedness issued by it. In October, 1874, G. filed a bill in equity for the purpose, among other things, of restraining the Board of Audit from allowing these certificates to their holders. On demurrer, a restraining order, which had been made under this bill, was dissolved. The Board of Audit then allowed the certificates to their holders, and 3.65 bonds of the District were issued for them. G. then commenced this action against the District. Held that he had been guilty of gross negligence in the matter which prevented him from recovering against the District.

The case is stated in the opinion of the Court.

MR. JUSTICE MILLER delivered the opinion of the Court.