Stoddard v. Martin
| Stoddard v. Martin | |
|---|---|
.svg) | |
| Court | Rhode Island Supreme Court |
| Full case name | Martin Stoddard v. Wheeler Martin |
| Decided | March 1828 |
| Court membership | |
| Judge(s) sitting | Samuel Eddy |
Stoddard v. Martin
reports of the Rhode Island Supreme Court
.
Background
On October 26, 1826 plaintiff Martin Stoddard bet former
Ashur Robbins would be elected to the United States Senate
. Plaintiff and defendant drew their respective checks for the amount of fifty dollars each check, and delivered both of said checks to a stakeholder, to be delivered to the party that won the bet. The plaintiff won the bet.
Stoddard received a check from Martin on October 26, 1826. On March 5, 1827 Stoddard requested the cashier of Eagle Bank in Providence to pay him the $50 from the check, who refused to pay. On the same day the plaintiff gave the defendant notice, whereby the defendant became liable. A jury awarded the plaintiff the amount bet, plus interest and costs.
On appeal the court reversed the decision stating a bet was void on principles of policy. The court further found that the bet could have produced corruption and debased the character of the individuals.
Holding
In the Court's first officially recorded decision, Chief Justice
Chief Justice Eddy cited British
Da Costa v. Jones
(Cowp. 720); Bunn v. Riker (4 Johns. 428); Lansing v. Lansing (8 Johns. 454).
References
- ^ Stoddard v. Martin, 1 R.I. 1 (1828)