Spotswood v. Mathews

A person owning improved wharves, which he maintains at his own cost for the benefit of those engaged in commerce upon the public navigable waters of the United States, may charge and collect from parties using his wharves such reasonable fees as will fairly remunerate him for the use of his property. Packet Co. v. St. Louis, 100 U. S. 423; Vicksburg v. Tobin, Id. 430; Packet Co. v. Keokuk, 95 U. S. 80; Cannon v. New Orleans, 20 Wall. 577. *620The respondent could make no use of libelant’s wharf without incurring liability to pay for it. That he did make use of it is admitted in the answer. But…