The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-24
SUPREME COURT DECISIONS.


panies.
WASHINGTON, April pa decision was
rendered by the Supreme Court of the United
States. to-day, in the case of John B. Slaw-
son against the Grand Street, Prospect Park
g. Flatbush Railroad Comp my, of Brook
lyn. This was suit brought by Slawson for
infringement of patents on an improved and
very extensively used form of fare-boxes for
horse-cars. The court holds that the patents
are void, for the reason that they do not en-
body inventions within the meaning of the
patent laws. The decree of the Circuit Court
in favor of the railroad company is affirmed.
Opinion by Justice Woods.
A decision was also rendered by the court,
to-day, in the case of the Baltimore & Poto-
mac Railroad Company against the
Fifth Baptist Church of Washington,
D. c., which was a suit for dam
ages brought by the church trustees
against this railroad company on account of
alleged injury to the property of the former,
caused by the erection and maintenance of
an engne-house and machine shops on the
land adjoining the church edifice. The
court holds that the railroad company is
liable in damages, and the fact that Congress
had given it authority to bring its track
within the limits of the city, and construct
such works, etc, as might be necessary, con-
stitutes no defense to the suit brought by
private individuals whose property has been
injured The judgment of the District Su-
preme Court is affirmed. Opinion by Justice
Field.
A decision was also rendered by the court
to-day in the municipal bond case of Howard
county, Mo-, plaintiff in error, against the
Central National Bank of Bonneville. Error to
the Circuit Court of the United States for the
@ e6 d dsfa 81 6aaj ssRsggde a IL s Inward aS
county, Mo-, in aid of a branch of the Tebo
d Neosho Railway Company. The county
disputes the validity and legal authority of
the bonds on the ground that the road eventu-
ally built with their aid was not branch
road, but only an authorized extension of
the main line. This court holds that the road
constructed through Howard county was
within the meaning of the statute a branch
the original or main line; consequently, the
defense cannot be sustained. The judgment
of the court below is affirmed. Opinion by
Justice Harlan.
A decision was also rendered by the court,
to-day, in the swamp-ands case of Mills
county, Iowa, plaintiff in error, against the
Burlington and Missouri River Railroad
Company ct al and the Chicago. Burlington
and Quincy Railroad Company. These were
suits relating to the validity of a compromise
agreement made October 81, 1865 between
Mills county, Ia, and the Burlington and
Missouri River Railroad Company, in
reference to certain lands lying in said
county, claimed by the county as swamp or
overlooked lands, and claimed by the rail
way company as railroad-grant lands, This
court holds: First-That the county could
not go back to the act of Congress of 1850
for the purpose of showing that the lands
were disposed of contrary to the trust
created by that act that being matter only
between the United States and the State.
Second-That, although, after a compromise
was made, the suit then pending was submit
ted TO this court and decided in favor of the
county this did not abrogate the COM
promise, as the parties continued to act UNI
der it, and the decision of the State court in
the present case was not repugnant to
or in Disturbance of the decision of this
court. DEGREES affirmed. Opinion by Justice
Bradley