River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-05-17
GeANGER laws SUSTAINED.
The Supreme Court of the United
States Decides Very Important
Case and Gives the Railroads Sc
we're Touchdown.


states Decides Very Important
Case and Gives the Railroads Sc
we're Touchdown.
WASHINGTON, Special Telegram, May r.
The supreme court to-day decided the cases
If The State OF illinois Va. The Illinois Central
and The Chicago, Burlington < Quincy roads.
Seldom have railroads received such
knock down blow from the courts.
The chief justice delivered the opinion
in each case which was unanimous and sus-
famed the granger laws TO their fullest ex-
tent II was decided that The Legislature has
The power in all cases to regulate both freight
snd passenger charges without reference the
fjad's char ter.
The case arises out Of the facts below set
forth:
on the 18Th of March, 1873, Morgan A
Lewis, passenger on a train of the Chicago,
Burlington j. Quincy railroad, rendered Neal
Ruggles, a conductor of that Company, Is
cents as fare for his transportation from
Buda TO Nepensef, distance of six miles.
This was maximum rate OF cents per
mile as prescribed BY the statute Of Illincle
then ia force Tho conductor demauded
20 cents, which was the fare fixed by the
ra lgoad company Lewis refused to pay more
than eighteen, and the conductor thereupon
ATTEMPTED to eject him from tho cars. For
Justice Of the peace upon the charge Qf
assault and battery and fined $40 and
costs. The case was then car
ried up through the State courts
BY successive appeals, the raillo company
sustaining the conductor aud Iaising the ques-
its business by fixing rate Of fare and trans
porta lion. A deci ion Was finally rendered in
favor OF the State by its highest court The
railroad company thereuF,n Appealed
to the supreme court OF the United
States upon tho ground that tho act
of the general assembly OF Illinois
of April / 8 and IL fixing the maximum rate
Of charges for the transportation of passengers
On the railfoad in the State was, unconstitu-
tional and void because it implied an obligation
Of the contract contained IN the charters OF the
various companies which were merged into the
Chicago, Burlington 4 Quincy Railroad conf
pauy by the consolidation. This court holds;
First-That the grants of IMMUNITY from legiti-
mate governmental contract are never to he pre-
shmed en- On the contrary, the presumpilons are
clearly established; the legislature Is free to aei
on all subjects, within its genera
Jurisdiction as the pnbus interests may
seem to require. Stale may limit the amount O
charges by The railroad compapies Cor fares and
freighis unless restrained By same clntract In tho
sha[,e That sa in .,t aa FSs ss SAFE
u is ttur. has given me board o.
airec,ors Of the railroad company the power tc
establish rates Of toll for conveyance OF persons
and property as they shall from time to time by
their bylaws determine, but such by-laws
must lot be repugnant g the consul,
tuition aud laws Of the State, IL ths
State had not legislative pose- Il
| Regulate Charges OF carriers for hire the case
would be different, but that question has
| been settled AMI amended, and the char
| ter which this company secured from
| the legislature must be construed IN
! light that established power The judgment of the
supreme court Of Illinois is affirmed with cosLs.
| Opinion hy Chief Justice Waite. Justice Harlan
| eoncurs 10 judgment, but not in opinion. Justice
| Blatchford did not site in case decision was
| also rendered by court in case o
Illinois Central Railroad company, in error, agains
people of the State of Illinois which involves pro
cisey the same questions which were presented IL
the preceding case. for reasons given by the ccuf
| In its opinion in that case Judgment or tn
| sapretne court of Illinois Is affirmed.