United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Central Pacific R. Co. v. United States, 164 U.S. 93 (1896)

Central Pacific Railroad Company v. United States

No. 46

Argued and submitted October 21, 1896

Decided November 9, 1896

164 U.S. 93

Syllabus

For several years in succession before the commencement of this action, the Central Pacific Railroad Company transported the mails of the United States on its roads. During the same period, post office inspectors, commissioned by the department, under regulations which required the railroads "to extend facilities of free travel" to them, were also transported by the company over its roads. During all this period, the railroad company presented to the department its claim for the transportation of the mail without setting up any claim for the transportation of the inspectors, and the said claims for mail transportation were, after such presentation, from time to time, and regularly, adjusted and paid on that basis. This action was then brought in the Court of Claims to recover for the transportation of the inspectors. Until it was commenced, no claim for such transportation had ever been made on the United States. Held that, without deciding whether the claim of the department that its inspectors were entitled to free transportation was or was not well founded, the silence of the company, and its acquiescence in the demand of the government for such free transportation operated as a waiver of any such right of action.

The case is stated in the opinion.