Gleason v. District of Columbia

Citations

• 127 U.S. 133
• 8 S. Ct. 1118
• 32 L. Ed. 92
• 1888 U.S. LEXIS 1973

Syllabus

<p>6. performed work for tbe 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 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, 1S71, 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, 1871, G. filed a bill in equity for the purpose, among other tilings, 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.</p>