Inhabitants of Westfield v. Inhabitants of Southwick
Inhabitants of Westfield v. Inhabitants of Southwick
Opinion of the Court
The plaintiffs have not paid any thing for the support of the paupers, but Brown gave notice, pursuant to St. 1793, c. 59, § 13, that he was supporting them, and flat he should look to the town for payment. If the plaintiffs were legally liable to pay Brown, he may be considered as their agent, and the action may be sustained, although they have not yet paid the sum due to Brown.
But it is contended by the defendants, that Westfield was not responsible to Brown, because the overseers of South-wick went to him and told him they had made provision for the paupers, and wanted to remove them, but they were unwilling to go to the place where the other paupers of that town were supported. The question is, whether provision, within the contemplation of law, was made for the paupers. There can be no doubt of the authority of the overseers to remove them to a suitable place. Paupers have not a right to choose their residence. New Salem v. Wendell, 2 Pick. 341
Reference
- Full Case Name
- The Inhabitants of Westfield versus The Inhabitants of Southwick
- Status
- Published