Matthews v. Inhabitants of Westborough

131 Mass. 521, 1881 Mass. LEXIS 308

• Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
• Decided: November 21, 1881
• Status: Published

Opinion

Devens, J.

It is in the power of towns to settle claims which may be made upon them arising out of their administration of their municipal affairs. A vote to appropriate money for such a purpose is therefore binding upon them, even if upon subsequent examination it is ascertained that the claim which was to be settled thereby was one which could not have been successfully maintained. Nelson v. Milford, 7 Pick. 18. Bancroft v. Lynnfield, 18 Pick. 566. They have no authority to appropriate money for gratuities to persons whose situation may appeal to public sympathy. Fowler v. Danvers, 8 Allen, 80. Cooley v. Granville, 10 Cush. 56. Tash v. Adams, 10 Cush. 252. This is in accordance with the instructions of the learned judge who presided at the trial; but in ascertaining whether the vote of the town was for the purpose of settling a claim or of appropriating for a gratuity, he was of opinion that it was to be definitely determined by' the form in which the application of the plaintiff was made; and that, if such application were for aid only, and not upon the ground that the town was legally liable to compensate him, the vote of the town would be invalid. The form in which the application of the plaintiff was made was certainly important, but it was not necessarily conclusive of the character of the vote of the town. One who believes himself to have a legal claim may see fit to put it in the form of an application for assistance, and upon such application it may be recognized by the town that there is such legal claim as to be fairly a subject of dispute and settlement. The conduct of the town as well as that of the plaintiff is to be considered; and it is to be determined in view of both whether the vote was to satisfy and compromise a claim or merely to provide a gratuity.

There was evidence that the plaintiff applied to the selectmen for aid as a gratuity, because he had been injured in doing work under the highway surveyor, was poor, and unable to work. There was also evidence that to them he put his application on the ground of a legal claim, because he ha'd been put by the highway surveyor in a dangerous place to work. An article was thereafter inserted by the selectmen in the warrant for a town-meeting, “ to see if the town will grant aid to Michael Matthews for injuries received while in the employ of the town.” At the town-meeting it was referred to the selectmen to inquire and report to the town what “ would be a fair compensation ” to Matthews for his injuries. The selectmen reported that Matthews was injured while in the employ of the town, and that “ the town would do well ” to pay him a sum named by them. This report was amended by inserting a larger sum, and, as amended, was adopted. The reference of the matter to the selectmen to report a “ fair compensation,” and their report upon such reference of a sum which “the town would do well to pay,” should have been considered in deciding what construction should be placed on the action of the town.

It is suggested that a vote to compromise a claim of Matthews could not have been passed under the article in the warrant above recited; but this would be to give it too narrow a construction. Its office was to bring before the town substantially and intelligently the subject with which it was to deal. Grover v. Pembroke, 11 Allen, 88. Gen. Sts. c. 18, § 22. This was the application of Matthews on account of injuries received while in its employ. If that was in form for aid only, but if it was deemed by the town wiser to adjust it by a sum which should be fair compensation, and thus to dispose of any claim which might exist, it might properly do so. Exceptions sustained.