The United States Vanzandt’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

9 federal appellate · 6 district · 23 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 68 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. ““Then, as to tbe point of laches, we are of opinion that the charge of the court below, which supposes that laches will discharge the bond, cannot be maintained as law. The general principle is that laches is not imputable to the government; and this maxim is founded, not in the notion of extraordinary prerogative, but upon a great public policy. The government can transact its business only through its agents; and its fiscal operations are so various, and its agencies so numerous and scattered, that the utmost vigilance would not save the public from the most serious losses, if the doctrine of laches can be applied to its transactions. It would, in effect, work a repeal of all its securities.””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. United States v. Campbell

2. “‘•The neglect in the one case and in the other imputes laches to the officer whose duty it was to perform the acts which the law required; but in a legal point of view the rights of the government cannot be affected by these laches. The provisions in both laws are merely directory to the officers, and intended for the .security and x»rotection of government, by insuring punctuality and responsibility; but they form no part of the contract with the surety.””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. United States v. Campbell