Case ID: us-ct-cl_16/html/0636-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Mr. Justice Miller", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

The Philadelphia and Baltimore Central Railroad, appellants, v. The United States, Appellees.
    
      On the claimant's Appeal.
    
    The court below holds: (1) That a railroad company carrying mails over another road with its own cars, engines, and employes, is entitled in dealing with the Post-Office Department to regard the hired track as part of its own road; (2) That a railroad company operating a main and branch line may, under the Act March 3,1873 (17 Stat. L.,-558), operate two distinct postal routes over the portion of the main line between one of the termini and the j un cti on with the branch; (3)Thatacompany transporting mails under the provisions of said act, and accepting without objection less compensation than is named in the statute, can recover no more than the sum accepted; (4) That the term “post-road” ordinarily signifies a highway by land or water made by statute an avenue over which mails may be lawfully transmitted, and the term “post route” a post road, or definite portion thereof, over which mails are usually transported by contract.
    The judgment of the court below is affirmed on the same grounds.
   Mr. Justice Miller

delivered tbe opinion of tbe Supreme Court, March 21, 1881.