Crippen v. Mint Sales Co.

I am impelled to dissent in this case, not because of the importance of the subject-matter in controversy, for the subject-matter is a very trivial affair in my view, a veritable ‘ ‘ tempest in a teapot, ”a“ much ado about nothing, ’ ’ a pee-wee lawsuit. However, the principle of the decision is more important and, as I see it, is a plain refusal to construe the law as written by its plain language, but in effect, though not in name, a reformation of the statute.

I want to say at the outset that what I say in this opinion is not intended as a reflection on the judges who disagree with me. I…