Finch v. United States was a case heard by the United States Supreme Court in 1881. The case involved a dispute between the United States and a man named Finch over a piece of land in the state of Arkansas. Finch had purchased the land from the United States in 1867, but the United States later claimed that the land was part of a military reservation and thus belonged to the United States. Finch argued that he had purchased the land in good faith and should be allowed to keep it. The Supreme Court ultimately sided with Finch, ruling that the United States had not provided sufficient evidence to prove that the land was part of a military reservation. The Court held that Finch had purchased the land in good faith and should be allowed to keep it. The Court also held that the United States had not provided sufficient evidence to prove that the land was part of a military reservation. This ruling established the principle that the United States must provide clear and convincing evidence to prove that a piece of land is part of a military reservation.

Justice Field delivered the dissenting opinion in Finch v. United States, arguing that the court should not have reversed its earlier decision in a similar case, Ex Parte Siebold. He argued that Congress had no authority to pass laws regulating elections and punishing those who violated them because it was an issue reserved for state governments under the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution. Furthermore, he believed that if Congress did have such power then it would be unconstitutional as it would violate Article I Section 4 which states “The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives shall be prescribed by each State respectively”. Justice Field concluded his dissent by stating that although he disagreed with this ruling he accepted it as binding precedent due to stare decisis but hoped future courts would reconsider their position on this matter.