Talcott v. Blanding

Citations

• 54 Cal. 289

Syllabus

<p>Statute—Construction — Harbor Commissioners. — At common law, as well as under Political Code, § 15, words in an act giving a joint authority to three or more public officers are construed as giving such authority to a majority of them, unless it is otherwise expressed. Held, accordingly, that the Act of March 8th, 1878, authorizing the Board of State Harbor Commissioners to adjust, audit, and pay such amount as the plaintiffs might be equitably entitled to, for work and labor done and materials furnished on certain harbor improvements, is to be construed as giving that authority to a majority of the Board; and that-the provision of the Political Code, § 2527, requiring the concurrence of all three Commissioners to enter into any contract or obligation which creates a liability or authorizes the payment of money, has no application.</p>