Cornwell v. St. Louis Transit Co.
Missouri Court of Appeals
Appeal from St. Louis City Circuit Court. — Hon. Franklin- Ferris, Judge. .(1) An agreement to reward a public officer (a policeman) for doing that which it is his duty by law to do, is void as against public policy. “Once allow an officer to contract for extra compensation for the discharge of his duty, and bribery will become the means by which alone the laws, could be executed.”
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Appeal from St. Louis City Circuit Court. — Hon. Franklin- Ferris, Judge. .(1) An agreement to reward a public officer (a policeman) for doing that which it is his duty by law to do, is void as against public policy. “Once allow an officer to contract for extra compensation for the discharge of his duty, and bribery will become the means by which alone the laws, could be executed.” Kick v. Merry, 23 Mo. 72. (2) “It is a principle of the common law that an officer ought not to- take money for doing his duty. This is an ancient principle, and has been steadily adhered to as being necessary to…
1Opinion of the CourtReyburn, J.
The facts disclosed by the testimony in this case are that appellant caused to be inserted, on May 24, 1900, in the Globe-Democrat and in the St. Louis Eepublic, respectively, the following advertisements :
“$250 reward will be paid for the arrest and conviction of any person who may threaten with violence or intimidate or attempt to intimidate any person now ■employed by the St. Louis Transit Company for the pur*260pose of deterring any sneh. person from continuing in such employment.
“St. Louis Transit Company,
“Edwards Whitaker, President.”
“$250 reward will be paid for the arrest and conviction…
2Cases cited6 opinions
- State ex rel. MacKenzie v. CasteelIndiana Supreme Court · 1887
- McIlvaine v. SmithSupreme Court of Missouri · 1867
- Hogan v. StophletIllinois Supreme Court · 1899
- Reif v. PaigeWisconsin Supreme Court · 1882
- Gregg v. PierceNew York Supreme Court · 1860
1 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by5 opinions
- Smith v. Vernon CountySupreme Court of Missouri · 1905
- Cornwell v. St. Louis Transit Co.Missouri Court of Appeals · 1904
- Kentucky Bankers Ass'n v. CassadyCourt of Appeals of Kentucky (pre-1976) · 1936
- National Exchange Bank v. WoodsideMissouri Court of Appeals · 1904
- Davis v. MillsapMissouri Court of Appeals · 1911