{
  "id": 1573313,
  "name": "Hendrix v. Morris",
  "name_abbreviation": "Hendrix v. Morris",
  "decision_date": "1918-05-27",
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  "first_page": "358",
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  "provenance": {
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  "casebody": {
    "judges": [],
    "parties": [
      "Hendrix v. Morris."
    ],
    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "WOOD, J.\nThe question on this appeal is whether or not the appellees, school directors of England Special School District and the treasurer of Lonoke County are individually liable to the district for money, which the treasurer paid out of funds belonging to the district, on warrants drawn by the directors to pay for the purchasing, maintaining, and operating an automobile truck in conveying school children to -and from the public schools at England, Lonoke County, Arkansas.\nIn Hendrix v. Morris, 127 Ark. 222, 225, we held that the directors of this district and the treasurer had no authority to expend the money of the district for such purposes, but it does not follow that the directors are individually liable for the money thus expended. While it is alleged .and admitted that the directors had no authority to issue the -warrants for the purpose mentioned, there is no allegation that they acted wilfully or maliciously. This is essential in order to make the directors personally liable. Where school directors act in good faith, believing at that time that they have authority\u2019 under the statute to expend the money for the purposes for which they issue warrants, they will not be held individually liable to the district for moneys so expended, even though they have no such authority.\n\u201cThe general rule,\u201d says 35 Cyc. p. 910, \u201cis that the officers of a school district can not be held personally liable on .a contract made on their part as such officers and solely for the benefits of the district, unless 'guilty of fraud and misrepresentation, or unless they expressly contract to assume personal liability.\u201d\nAs is said by the Supreme Court of Minnesota, \u201cWere the rule otherwise, few persons of responsibility would be found willing to serve the public in that large capacity of offices, which requires a sacrifice of time and .perhaps money, but affords neither honor nor profit to the incumbent.\u201d Sanborn v. Neal et al., 4 Minn. 140.\nThe statute prescribes that the directors shall have charge of the school affairs and of the school educational interests of their district, et cetera; that they shall make provisions for establishing separate schools for white and colored children and youths, and adopt such other means as they may judge expedient for carrying the free school system into effectual and uniform operation throughout the State, and providing as nearly as possible for the education of every youth. Sections 7613, 7614, Kirby\u2019s Digest. These and other duties prescribed, and other statutory requirements found in chapter 142, Kirby\u2019s Digest, show that the directors in many instances must act in a quasi-judicial capacity and exercise their discretion and best judgment in the management of the school affairs entrusted to them. Hence the reason for the rule, that for a mere mistake or error of judgment on their part, they shall not be held personally liable. Such is the doctrine of our .decisions and of the authorities generally. First National Bank of Waldron v. Whisenhunt, 94 Ark. 583, and cases there cited. See also McCormick v. Burt, 95 Ill. 263, and other cases cited in appellee\u2019s brief.\nThe court was, therefore, correct in holding that the appellees, school directors, were not liable.\n\u25a0 A different rule however applies to the treasurer. He is only authorized to pay out money on the orders- of warrants of the board of directors of the., school district \u201cproperly drawn.\u201d The law requires that the directors shall draw orders on the treasurer for the payment of the wages due teachers or for any lawful purpose, and they shall state in every such order the services or consideration for which the order is drawn, and that when the warrants are properly drawn he shall honor the same out of the funds, in his hands for that purpose, belonging to the district. Sections 7627, 7628, 7665, Kirby\u2019s Digest.\nWhen a warrant, therefore, is presented to the treaSr nrer for payment for an unauthorized purpose, the treasurer pays the same at his peril and is personally and individually liable to the district for the moneys unlawfully expended.\nThe judgment of the trial court dismissing appellants \u2019 complaint against the appellees, directors, is, therefore, affirmed. The judgment dismissing the complaint against the treasurer is erroneous and is, \u2018therefore, reversed and the cause as to him is remanded for a new trial.-",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "WOOD, J."
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "James A. Comer, for appellant.",
      "Jas. B. Gray, for appellees."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "Hendrix v. Morris.\nOpinion delivered May 27, 1918.\n1. School directors \u2014 unauthorized expenditure op money \u2014 personal liability. \u2014 Where school directors act in good faith, believing at the time that they have authority under the statutes to expend money for the purposes for which they issue warrants, they will not be liable to the district individually for money so expended, even though they have no such authority.\n2. County officers \u2014 treasurer\u2014-payment of money for unauthorized PURPOSE \u2014 WARRANT OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS \u2014 PERSONAL liability. \u2014 When a warrant is presented to a county treasurer for payment, for an unauthorized purpose, he pays the same at his peril, and is personally and individually liable to the district for the money unlawfully paid out.\nAppeal from Lonoke Circuit Court; Thos. C. Trim-tie, Judge;\nreversed in part; affirmed in part.\nJames A. Comer, for appellant.\n1. The directors and treasurer had no authority to expend the money. 192 8. W. 949.\n2. Having exceeded their authority they are personally liable. 52 Ark. 541; 7 L. R. A. 180; 83 Ark. 275; 56 Id. 205; 123 Id. 255; 103 Id. 529; 25 Id. 318; 30 Id. 248.\nJas. B. Gray, for appellees.\nThe defendants were not personally liable. They acted in good faith and were not liable for mere errors of judgment. 94 Ark. 583; 95 111. 263; 35 Am. Rep. 164; 38 Me. 279; 61 Am. Dec. 258; Cooley on Torts, 411; 110 Ark. 515; 52 Id. 546; 35 Cyc. 910, 911; 25 Kan. 662; 71 Mo. 62."
  },
  "file_name": "0358-01",
  "first_page_order": 382,
  "last_page_order": 385
}