Wabash, St Louis & Pacific Railway Co. v. Illinois (1886)
The mid-19th century saw the passage of several laws by midwestern states regulating railway rates. In many cases the Grangers provided the impetus for these legislative acts. Eventually, however, the Supreme Court ruled the laws unconstitutional. The basis for said ruling was the sole power of Congress to control interstate commerce; Illinois could not regulate the railroad companies as they fell under the broad brush of interstate commerce. Apart from curtailing the power of the individual states against the railroads, this decision led to the passage of the Interstate Commerce Act, which banned rate discrimination and indicated that all rates should be "reasonable and just."
The mid-19th century saw the passage of several laws by midwestern states regulating railway rates. In many cases the Grangers provided the impetus for these legislative acts. Eventually, however, the Supreme Court ruled the laws unconstitutional. The basis for said ruling was the sole power of Congress to control interstate commerce; Illinois could not regulate the railroad companies as they fell under the broad brush of interstate commerce. Apart from curtailing the power of the individual states against the railroads, this decision led to the passage of the Interstate Commerce Act, which banned rate discrimination and indicated that all rates should be "reasonable and just."