Case ID: ohio-cc-dec_21/html/0014-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "WINCH, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW — INFANTS—WORK AND LABOR-
    [Cuyahoga (8th) Circuit Court,
    January 11, 1909.]
    Winch, Henry and Marvin, JJ.
    J. W. Bolton v. State of Ohio.
    Act Limiting Employment of Girls under Eighteen Years to Eight Houbs. per Day is Constitutional.
    Act 99 O. L. 30, fixing eight hours as the maximum hours in one day in which girls under eighteen years of age shall he permitted to work in. certain occupations and imposing a penalty for violation thereof, is constitutional.
    [Proof of this decision and syllabus was submitted to Judge Winch and corrected. — Ed.]
    Error to Cuyahoga common pleas.
    Hoyt, Dustin & Kelley, for plaintiff in error.
    Charles P. Hine, for defendant in error.
   WINCH, J.

Plaintiff in error was convicted of employing a girl nnder eighteen years of age and permitting her to .work more than eight hours in one-day in the factory of which he was superintendent, contrary to the provisions of the Act of February 28, 1908, 99 O. L. 30.

In this court it is claimed that the provision of the law referred to, under which plaintiff in error was convicted, is unconstitutional.

We find nothing upon which to base this claim. The state has. plenary power to legislate regarding minors, as wards of the state; they have only such right to contract as the state awards them.

That the provision of the law referred to is a reasonable exercise-of the police power of the state is apparent, if it be viewed in its bearing upon the health of immature girls who are to be the future mothers-of our citizens. The judgment of the legislature in this matter, is not. to be set aside by the courts.

Judgment affirmed.

Henry and Marvin, JJ., concur.