United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Caffrey v. Oklahoma Territory, 177 U.S. 346 (1900)

Caffrey v. Oklahoma Territory

No. 182

Argued March 13-14, 1900

Decided April 9, 1900

177 U.S. 346

Syllabus

The plaintiff in error was County Clerk of Oklahoma County, Oklahoma Territory. The territorial board of equalization increased the valuation of property in the county, assessed for taxation, twenty-four percent, and officially notified him of their action. He refused to act upon the notice, and a writ of mandamus was issued from the supreme court of the territory to compel him to do so. He declined to obey the writ, was cited for contempt, was adjudged guilty, and was committed to prison until he should comply. There was no evidence, and nothing tending to show that he had any pecuniary interest in the increase. The case being brought here by writ of error and on appeal.

Held, that as there was nothing to show that the plaintiff in error and appellant was interested in the increase to the extent of five thousand dollars, therefore, under the statute of March 3, 1885, c. 335, 23 Stat. 443, this Court had no jurisdiction.

The case is stated in the opinion.