United States v. Patterson (150 U.S. 65)

This is an appeal from a judgment of the court of claims in favor of the claimant, and against the United States. The claimant was a commissioner of the circuit court of the United States for the western district of North Carolina. and as such commissioner performed certain services for the defendants, consisting, as stated in the findings, 'of hearing charges made by complaining witnesses against persons charged with violations of the laws of the United States, and holding examinations of such complaining witnesses, and any other witnesses produced by them in support of their allegation, and deciding whether a warrant should not issue upon the complaint made.' For such services that court held that he was entitled to compensation at the rate of five dollars per day, and rendered judgment accordingly.

Asst. Atty. Gen. Dodge and Chas. C. Binney, for the United states.

George A. King, W. W. Dudley, L. T. Michener, and R. R. McMahon, for appellee.

Mr. Justice BREWER, after stating the facts in the foregoing language, delivered the opinion of the court.