Elgin v. Marshall

106 U.S. 578, 1 S. Ct. 484, 27 L. Ed. 249 (1883)

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Elgin v. Marshall

United States Supreme Court
106 U.S. 578, 1 S. Ct. 484, 27 L. Ed. 249 (1883)

  • Written by Heather Whittemore, JD

Facts

Marshall (plaintiff), a citizen of Wisconsin, filed a lawsuit in federal circuit court against the town of Elgin, Minnesota (defendant), seeking to recover unpaid interest on municipal bonds issued by Elgin. The bonds were worth a total of $7,500, and Marshall sought $1,660 in interest. Elgin opposed Marshall’s allegations, arguing instead that the municipal bonds were unconstitutional and void. The circuit court found in favor of Marshall and awarded Marshall $1,660. Elgin appealed to the United States Supreme Court. At the time, federal law established an amount-in-controversy requirement of $5,000 for the Supreme Court to have appellate jurisdiction over a civil case. Elgin believed that the amount in controversy exceeded the $5,000 requirement because of the total value of the bonds that Elgin sought to void.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Matthews, J.)

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