City of Lafayette v. Elias

The question here presented for determination is whether a municipality can validly enact a penal ordinance prohibiting the sale of beverages of a low-alcoholic content, to wit, beer, to all persons under the age of 21 years, when the State law permits sale of such beverages to persons 18 years and over.

The City of Lafayette was incorporated by Act 310 of 1914, as amended by Act 52 of 1936. The charter specially empowers the governing board of trustees to adopt all ordinances that may be deemed proper to regulate and preserve the peace and good order of the City, to suppress nuisances,…