Lake Superior & Mississippi Railroad v. United States

Congress, in most of the legislative acts by which it, has made donations of the public lands to the States in which they lie for the purpose of aiding in the construction of railroads, has stipulated that the railroads so aided shall be public highways for the use of' the government, free from all tolls or other charge for transportation of its property or troops; The question has arisen between the railroad companies owning these roads and the officers of the government, whether this reservation includes the free use of the roads alone, or transportation also. The companies claim, that, if…