WHEELING BRIDGE CASE
\wˈiːlɪŋ bɹˈɪd͡ʒ kˈe͡ɪs], \wˈiːlɪŋ bɹˈɪdʒ kˈeɪs], \w_ˈiː_l_ɪ_ŋ b_ɹ_ˈɪ_dʒ k_ˈeɪ_s]\
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A case of original jurisdiction in the Supreme Court of the United States in 1855. The Wheeling and Belmont Bridge Company prepared to rebuild a bridge over the Ohio River, according to the plan of the original bridge, which an Act of Congress had declared not obstructive to commerce. The State of Pennsylvania declared it to be obstructive to commerce and applied to Justice Grier for an injunction to prevent its erection. This was granted, but the bridge was erected in defiance thereof. A majority of the Supreme Court refused to pass judgment against the Bridge Company for contempt, though acknowledging the right of Grier to issue the injunction. Judgment was given for the defendant on the ground that it was within the jurisdiction of Congress to determine what was and what was not an obstruction to commerce.
By John Franklin Jameson
Word of the day
Snake's-head
- Guinea-hen flower; -- so called in England because its spotted petals resemble the scales of a snake's head.