The Supreme Court case of Tillson v. United States (100 US 43, 1879) had significant legal implications for the interpretation of the Eighth Amendment's protection against excessive fines. The case involved a claim by Robert Tillson and Co. against the United States for loss and damage resulting from the government's alleged failure to perform its contracts with them as to time and manner of payment. The Court of Claims dismissed the petition, and the petitioners appealed to the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court held that the government is not liable for interest on claims presented, except where it is in some way specially provided for. The Court stated that the rule that interest is recoverable between citizens if a payment of money is unreasonably delayed does not apply to the government, and that the practice has long prevailed in the departments of not allowing interest on claims presented, except it is in some way specially provided for.
This decision impacted the interpretation of the Eighth Amendment's protection against excessive fines, as it established that the government is not liable for interest on claims presented, except where it is in some way specially provided for. This means that individuals cannot recover interest on claims against the government, unless there is a specific provision allowing for it. This decision has been cited in subsequent cases involving claims against the government, and has been used to limit the ability of individuals to recover interest on claims against the government.
In summary, the Supreme Court case of Tillson v. United States established that the government is not liable for interest on claims presented, except where it is in some way specially provided for, and this decision has impacted the interpretation of the Eighth Amendment's protection against excessive fines.