Ketchum v. Duncan Hays/Dissent Clifford

by Nathan Clifford

United States Supreme Court

96 U.S. 659

Ketchum  v.  Duncan Hays

MR. JUSTICE CLIFFORD, with whom concurred MR. JUSTICE SWAYNE, MR. JUSTICE MILLER, and MR. JUSTICE HARLAN, dissenting.

I am of opinion that the coupons which are by this decree held to be a lien on the road were extinguished by payment; that the holders of them, who presented them for payment at the several places to which they were directed, had no thought of selling them, and, in fact, did not sell them, and, therefore, in law they were paid, and not sold.

I also believe that the attempt of Duncan, Sherman, & Co. to take up these coupons without paying them was deceptive and collusive, and was dictated by their interest in concealing from the public the fact that the railroad company was unable to meet those payments.

Notes