Benjamin C. Beach, Respondent v. the Supreme Tent of the Knights of the MacCabees of the World, Appellant

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court's directed verdict for the plaintiff, holding that the certificate of membership constituted an absolute contract obligating the defendant to pay one-half of the endowment on permanent disability and that a subsequent amendment of the order's by‑laws could not impair the vested rights of existing members.