Prairie State National Bank v. United States

Citations

• 32 Ct. Cl. 614
• 27 Ct. Cl. 185

Syllabus

<p>The court below decides:</p> <p>2. A power of attorney given by a builder to a bank to secure future advances for the erection of a public building, which authorizes the bank to “receive our last estimate from the United, States on our contract for erection of U. S. custom-house at Galveston,” is absolutely void under Revised Statutes § 3477. The Secretary of the Treasury could give effect to such an instrument only by paying “the last estimate,” which payment would be obligatory upon the contractor.</p> <p>4. No officer of the Government can do any act which will take assignments and powers of attorney out of the operation of the Revised ' Statutes § 3477.</p>