Kelly v. Nebraska Exposition Ass'n
Kelly v. Nebraska Exposition Ass'n
Opinion of the Court
The defendant in error commenced this action in the district court of Lancaster county to recover of plaintiff in error the sum of $100 with accrued interest, alleged to be due by reason of a subscription in its favor by plaintiff in error in the principal sum stated,, to aid it in securing the state fair to be located and held at or near the city of Lincoln. The petition was as follows: “The plaintiff alleges that it is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the state of Nebraska, and having its principal place of business in Lincoln, in said state; that on the 27th day of December, 1889, the defendant executed and delivered to this plaintiff for its use and benefit a certain agreement, a copy whereof is as follows:
“‘copy of agreement.
“ ‘Lincoln, Neb., Dec. 27,1889.
“ ‘We, the undersigned, hereby agree to pay the sum set opposite our names for the purpose of securing the state fair located at Lincoln for the ensuing five years, and agreed to pay the same on or before March 1, 1890, to the secretary of the Nebraska Exposition Association. In case the state fair is not located at Lincoln this subscription to be void.
James Kelly................................$100 00’
The questions argued are that the State Board of Agriculture had no corporate existence, and that if it had, the subscription to assist in having it locate the fair at the particular place indicated in the agreement was void, being in the nature of a bribe to, or an improper influence exercised on, the will or choice of the board clothed with the power of choosing the location for holding the fair. Passing over the question of whether it is competent in this, a suit to which it is not a party, to attack the corporate existence of the State Board of Agriculture, it seems clear that it was not placed in issue by a general denial which would not have put in issue the corporate
In regard to the second point it will not be presumed that the amount subscribed was to be used in the nature of a bribe or to improperly influence the State' Board of Agriculture, or any member thereof, in any part of the proceedings, either preliminary or final, attendant upon the selection of a location for the state fair. No such issue was tendered by the answer, a general denial, nor was there anything in the stipulated statement of the facts to warrant or support a finding that the amount subscribed was for a use such as is suggested by the argument on behalf of plaintiff! in error, or that the fair was by reason of this subscription directed by the State Board to be held at any other than the proper and best place for the public interests or convenience and welfare of any and all concerned, hence this point is not well taken. (Harris v. Roberts, 12 Neb., 631.) No available error having been assigned or prescribed, the judgment of the district court must be
Affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- James Kelly v. Nebraska Exposition Association
- Status
- Published