Citizens' St. R. v. City of Memphis
U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Western Tennessee
In Equity. Suit by the Citizens’ Street Railroad Company against the city of Memphis and W. L. Clapp, president of said city, to restrain defendants from interfering with plaintiff; in constructing tracks for its electric railway on West Court street, in said city. On motion for preliminary injunction.
1Opinion of the Court
HAMMOND, J. ■
The troublesome question in this case is that of our jurisdiction. The defendant city contends that the power to alter or repeal the charter of the plaintiff company is absolute, and, therefore, that there can be m> inviolable obligation of the contract, arising out of the charter, to be protected by the federal constitution, which forbids any state to pass a law impairing the obligation of contracts; wherefore it contends that no federal question is presented to sustain our jurisdiction, and that whatever rights the plaintiff may have, either of property or action, or whatever…
2Cases cited8 opinions
- Railroad Co. v. GeorgiaSupreme Court of the United States · 1879
- Railroad Co. v. MaineSupreme Court of the United States · 1878
- Central Railroad & Banking Co. v. GeorgiaSupreme Court of the United States · 1876
- Tomlinson v. BranchSupreme Court of the United States · 1873
- Louisville & Nashville Railroad v. PalmesSupreme Court of the United States · 1883
3 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by9 opinions
- Louisville Trust Co. v. City of CincinnatiCourt of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit · 1896
- City of Denver v. Mercantile Trust Co. of New YorkCourt of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit · 1912
- Baltimore Trust & Guarantee Co. v. Mayor of BaltimoreU.S. Circuit Court for the District of Maryland · 1894
- Mercantile Trust & Deposit Co. of Baltimore v. Collins Park & B. R.U.S. Circuit Court for the Northern District of Georgia · 1900
- Africa v. Board of Mayor & Aldermen of KnoxvilleU.S. Circuit Court for the District of Eastern Tennessee · 1895
4 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.