Bridge v. Lincoln
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
This action was in case against the defendants, the selectmen of the town of Worcester in the year 1814, for refusing to place the name of the plaintiff upon the list of voters for that year, qualified to vote in the choice of governor, lieutenant-governor, counsellors, and senators; and for refusing to receive his vote, when duly tendered at the meeting, for the choice aforesaid.
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This action was in case against the defendants, the selectmen of the town of Worcester in the year 1814, for refusing to place the name of the plaintiff upon the list of voters for that year, qualified to vote in the choice of governor, lieutenant-governor, counsellors, and senators; and for refusing to receive his vote, when duly tendered at the meeting, for the choice aforesaid. The declaration contained several counts, the third of which was as follows, viz.: “ Also for that at Worcester aforesaid, on the 7th day of March last, the inhabitants of the said town of Worcester, who were…
1Opinion of the CourtParker, C. J.
We cannot doubt that the two hundred dollars, possessed by the plaintiff on the morning of the day of election, was his property, so as to be an estate to the value of sixty pounds, within the meaning of the constitution.
He received this money as his own property ; pursuant to a contract before made, and then in performance by him, without any reference to his qualification as an elector. He had the absolute dominion over it, to pay his debts, to purchase property with it, or to give it away if he had seen fit. Had he died on the day of the election, his administrator would have rightfully…
2Cited by4 opinions
- Kinneen v. WellsMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1887
- Hanlon v. PartridgeSupreme Court of New Hampshire · 1896
- Opinion of the Justices to the House of RepresentativesMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1878
- Spear v. CummingsMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1839