Court Opinion

ID: 6406555
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-06-25 11:49:25.306248+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:51:13.747506
License: Public Domain

Morton J.
delivered the opinion, of the Court. In this action the plaintiffs claim to recover of the defendant compensa-, lion for services performed for him by one Bragg. They found their claim upon a contract between them and the town of Petersham. By this contract the plaintiffs were, for a certain term, to ha:'e the care and custody of all the paupers belonging to the town, and to receive all the labor and services which could reasonably be required of them.
The real question in.this case turns upon the true construction of the contract. No paupers were named in it. Is Bragg included within the general description used ? There is no legal objection to the validity of the contract. It seems to be a reasonable and a proper one. But it manifestly does not come under the sixth section of St. 1793, c. 59, nor is there any reason to suppose that it was intended to be made in pursuance of the authority therein given. That section authorizes overseers to bind out to service, by deed, for a term not exceeding one year, certain classes of persons therein described, although not actually chargeable to their town at the time. This is an important and delicate, if not dangerous, discretionary power, trenching closely upon personal rights, and *343one which ought to be exercised cautiously, sparingly, and in exact accordance with the provisions of the statute. The plaintiffs cannot claim to hold Bragg to service by any deed made in pursuance of this clause. If they can establish a right to his services, it must be under their general contract with die town, and because he was a pauper when that contract went into operation, and continued to be such during the time for which they claim his services.
Towns are bound by law to support, comfortably, all such of their inhabitants as may from time to time fall into distress and stand in need of relief, and to continue such support so long as it may be needed ; and during its continuance they are entitled to the reasonable services of those supported by them. It is no part of their duty to support their paupers in idleness. This would make a system, now of questionable utility, highly deleterious in- its effects and influence. But each one, in whatever situation he may be, is bound to contribute his services, according to his ability, towards his own support and that of his family, if he have one. These duties can only be performed by agents, to whom towns may, for limited periods, grant the rights and powers enjoyed by themselves The rights and duties of towns and paupers are correlative. While the town supports the pauper, the pauper is bound to labor for the town. But when the support becomes unnecessary, the right to control the labor ceases. It may happen that a pauper, by the acquisition of property by gift, devise or descent, may be raised from poverty and dependence. In such case can' it be pretended that he may be retained the unwilling tenant of an almshouse, and be compelled to labor for whomsoever the town or its agent may direct ? The town, by St. 1817, c. 186, § 5, may claim a reimbursement for the support furnished, but can have no further legal claim to his services. And agreements made by towns with agents or contractors relative to the support of paupers, must be construed according to these principles.
Is Bragg, during any portion of the time mentioned in the plaintiffs’ writ, to be deemed a pauper ? Was he actually chargeable to the town ; or did he stand in need of mmediate relief ? If so, he comes within the terms of the *344contract; the plaintiffs were entitled to his services, ánd ought now to recover compensation for them.
The state of his mental powers need not now be inquired into, for it can have very little bearing upon the question under consideration. Although of weak mind, small mental capacity, and regarded as non compos mentis, yet he was not under guardianship, and might make contracts for necessaries, and for such purposes dispose of his own services, unless they were due to the town. He' had been treated as a pauper, and labored for the town many, perhaps too many, years. But he had bodily health and strength; could perform many kinds' of labor on a farm; and was able to earn more than enough to support himself. He was willing to labor for the defendant, and the defendant was willing to employ and to pay him wages, besides supplying him with all necessary food and clothing. Can suph a person be considered a pauper ? We think not.
Whether by reason' of his improvidence or incapacity, the overseers might bind him to service, by deed under the 6th section of St. 1793, c. 59, or not, it is not proper to consider. We have not the facts necessary to enable us to determine the question. But not being a pauper, he is not'included in the plaintiffs’ contract, and the care and custody of his person, or the right to his services, did not vest in the plaintiffs.

Judgment of C. C. P. affirmed.