Wilson v. Heslep

¶1delivered the opinion of the Court.

¶2It is unnecessary to examine the various errors assigned upon the argument of this case, as we are satisfied, from the plaintiff’s own showing, that he cannot recover, as against Heslep, the defendant.

¶3The report of the Committee of the Common Council, on the subject of disputed claims, was predicated on the'de*303fendant’s memorial, and the fact that there was at that time, an award in his favor, and a suit pending to enforce the same.

¶4We think the only fair and legal inference that can be drawn is, that the Council intended to apply the amount ascertained to be due, upon the award which Heslep had obtained. The * City of San Francisco [303] could not have compelled him to liquidate the question with a third party, so long as the award remained in force and a charge against the city, and it is hardly to be supposed that he would ever have voluntarily abandoned the security which he thus held, and have consented to throw the whole matter back into law, and contest his rights with new claimants.

¶5It would be inequitable and unjust, in the highest degree, thus to allow a party to stand by without any notice of his claim, and then appropriate the fruits of another's labor to himself.

¶6We decide that the amount for which the Commissioners of the Funded Debt are authorized to issue bonds, must be paid to the defendant Heslep, and that the respondent, if he has any rights in the premises, must maintain them in an action against the City of San Francisco, upon his assignment.

¶7The judgment of the Court below is reversed, with costs, and directions to enter a decree in conformity with this opinion.