{
  "id": 2834111,
  "name": "David Oliver v. The State of Illinois",
  "name_abbreviation": "Oliver v. State",
  "decision_date": "1900-01-11",
  "docket_number": "",
  "first_page": "218",
  "last_page": "219",
  "citations": [
    {
      "type": "official",
      "cite": "1 Ill. Ct. Cl. 218"
    }
  ],
  "court": {
    "name_abbreviation": "Ill. Ct. Cl.",
    "id": 8793,
    "name": "Illinois Court of Claims"
  },
  "jurisdiction": {
    "id": 29,
    "name_long": "Illinois",
    "name": "Ill."
  },
  "cites_to": [],
  "analysis": {
    "cardinality": 215,
    "char_count": 3221,
    "ocr_confidence": 0.42,
    "sha256": "0ad6a9dbba1cb7a5b28a2032a58e6eca079f236681603cf177bee595c32a4614",
    "simhash": "1:376b59001ff9a97d",
    "word_count": 561
  },
  "last_updated": "2023-07-14T17:06:07.645652+00:00",
  "provenance": {
    "date_added": "2019-08-29",
    "source": "Harvard",
    "batch": "2018"
  },
  "casebody": {
    "judges": [],
    "parties": [
      "David Oliver v. The State of Illinois."
    ],
    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "The claimant in this case seeks recovery of one thousand dollars, rental for water power, paid in pursuance of the terms of a lease executed in April, 1900, between the State Canal Commissioners, as lessors, and the claimant as lessee; the basis or plea on which the claimant here seeks recovery being the unfortunate circumstance that the claimant\u2019s mill in which he expected to use the water power rented from the Canal Commissioners was destroyed by fire, and the water power, as a result of such fire, could not be used during the period for which one thousand dollars rent accrued. Neither in the evidence no.r in the argument of claimant\u2019s attorneys is there disclosed any legal ground for recovery, nor any claim made that the sum paid (recovery of which .is herein sought) was not due in accordance with the terms of the lease; nor is there any intimation that the claimant would have had a legal defense had he withheld the rent, in a suit for rent by the Canal Commissioners. It is in fact explicitly admitted in the written argument of claimant\u2019s counsel that \u201che was obliged to pay one thousand dollars to save his lease.\u201d\nThe inference may naturally be drawn that this claim is filed on the presumption that the Commissioners of Claims may, out of the generosity of their own hearts and other peoples\u2019 money (from State funds to be appropriated by an equally generous and complacent Legislature) donate to the claimant a sum of money equal to that legally and rightfully paid to the State Canal Commissioners, in accordance with the terms of a lease voluntarily executed by the claimant.\nFrom the fact that no legal ground of recovery is disclosed by the record, and from the language used in their argument by the claimant\u2019s attorneys, we infer that there is a misapprehension on their part, as to the scope and authority vested in this Commission by the act of the Legislature creating it.\nClaimant\u2019s counsel urge that \u201cIt was not the fault of the (canal) Commissioners nor his (claimant\u2019s), and yet it is a misfortune to be felt more by him, if he has to lose than it would be by the State * * *\nIt should not be necessary to do more than call attention to this line of reasoning. What claim would ever be rejected if the assets of claimant are to be taken into account as against the resources of the State? In what court of law would it occur to an attorney, unless for unfair and unworthy appeal to prejudice, to suggest a comparison of the resources of litigants as an aid in determining legal liability? All such considerations are equally irrelevant and without weight, before this Commission which was not created to give to claimants remedies against the State which could not be maintained against individuals. The Commission of Claims is not a bureau of charities, but a court, and under the law creating it must determine all claims in accordance with legal principles.\nAs the record disclosed no foundation in law for the allowance of this claim, it is rejected.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": null
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "David Oliver v. The State of Illinois.\nOpinion filed January 11, 1900.\nPractice\u2014where no foundation in law exists for allowance of claim. Where the record discloses no foundation in law for the allowance of claim, it is rejected."
  },
  "file_name": "0218-01",
  "first_page_order": 250,
  "last_page_order": 251
}