Abels v. Board of Supervisors

The relator asks for a mandamus to compel the supervisors to audit and allow certain claims which he has presented to them for services as a detective in the discovery and apprehension of a criminal. It is not claimed that the relator, at the time of the performance of the services, held any public office or was lawfully entitled to make the arrest except as he was authorized by being a corporator in a detective association incorporated under the laws of the State.

The act of 1859 (Comp. L., ch. 126) authorized the voluntary incorporation of companies for the detection and apprehension of…