Bothwell v. United States/Opinion of the Court

by James Clark McReynolds

United States Supreme Court

254 U.S. 231

Bothwell  v.  United States

 Argued: Nov. 9, 1920. --- Decided: Dec 6, 1920

Appellants owned and utilized in their business of stock raising a large tract of land lying in Sweetwater Valley, Wyo. In June, 1909, much hay was stored upon the land and a thousand head of cattle were there confined. Under the Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902 (32 Stat. 389, c. 1093, § 7 [Comp. St. § 4706]), the United States constructed the Pathfinder Dam. This arrested the flood waters and caused inundation of appellants' lands. The hay was destroyed, and it became necessary to remove the animals and sell them at prices below their fair value.

Proceedings to condemn the land were instituted by the appellee, in the United States Circuit Court for Wyoming before the overflow. It is said the right to enter was not acquired until thereafter. The value of the land was ascertained and paid, but the court denied appellants' claim for the hay, and for loss consequent upon forced sale of the cattle and destruction of the business. No appeal was taken. The present suit was instituted to recover for the items so disallowed. The court below gave judgment for value of the hay only, and the cause is here upon claimants' appeal.

Certainly appellants' position in respect of the items in question is no better than it would have been if no condemnation proceedings had been instituted. In the circumstances supposed there might have been a recovery 'for what actually has been taken, upon the principle that the government by the very act of taking impliedly has promised to make compensation because the dictates of justice and the terms of the Fifth Amendment so require.' United States v. Cress, 243 U.S. 316, 329, 37 Sup. Ct. 380, 385 (61 L. Ed. 746). But nothing could have been recovered for destruction of business of loss sustained through enforced sale of the cattle. There was no actual taking of these things by the United States, and consequently no basis for an implied promise to make compensation. We need not consider the effect of the judgment in the condemnation proceedings.

It is suggested that although the United States did not appeal they may now contest the judgment upon the ground that there was no contractual obligation to make compensation for the hay. 'Without an appeal, a party will not be heard in an appellate court to question the correctness of the decree of the trial court.' Cherokee Nation v. Blackfeather, 155 U.S. 218, 221, 15 Sup. Ct. 63, 64 (39 L. Ed. 126).

Affirmed.

Notes