Miller v. Ammon

Citations

• 145 U.S. 421
• 12 S. Ct. 884
• 36 L. Ed. 759
• 1892 U.S. LEXIS 2151

Syllabus

<p>The Supreme Court of Illinois having held Jhat the ordinance of the city of Chicago that “ no person, firm or corporation shall sell or offer for, sale any spirituous or vinous liquors in .quantities of one gallon or more at a time, within the city of Chicago, without having first obtained a license therefor from the city of Chicago, under a penalty of not less than $50 or more than $200 for each offence,” is valid, this court follows the ruling of that court; and further holds that a contract made in violation of it creates no right of action which a court of justice will enforce.</p> <p>The general rule of law is, that a contract made in violation of a statute is void; ■ and that when a plaintiff cannot establish his cause of action without relying upon an illegal contract, he cannot recover.</p>