Mutual Loan Co. v. Martell

Citations

• 222 U.S. 225
• 32 S. Ct. 74
• 56 L. Ed. 175
• 1911 U.S. LEXIS 1779

Syllabus

<p>The validity of police regulations depends upon the circumstances of each case, whether arbitrary or. reasonable and whether really designed to accomplish a legitimate public purpose. Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Ry. Co. v. Drainage Commissioners, 200 U. S. 591.</p> <p>The power of the State extends to só dealing with conditions existing in the State as to bring out of them the greatest welfare of its people. Bacon v. Walker, 204 U. S. 311.</p> <p>Police power is but another name for the power of government; it is subject only to constitutional limitations which allow a comprehensive range of judgment, and it is the province of the State to adopt by its legislature such policy as it deems best.</p> <p>Legislation cannot be judged by theoretical standards but must be tested by the concrete conditions inducing it.</p> <p>A State may, as a police regulation, make assignments of future wages invalid except under conditions that- will properly restrict extravagance and improvidence of wage-earners.</p> <p>A State may, under conditions justifying it, prescribe that an assign- ■ ment by a married man of wages to be earned by him in future shall be invalid unless consented to by his wife.</p> <p>This court recognizes the propriety of deferring to tribunals on the spot and will not oppose its notions of necessity to legislation adopted .to accomplish a legitimate public purpose. Laurel Hill Cemetery v. San Francisco, 216 U. S. 358.</p> <p>A State has power to prescribe the form and manner of execution and authentication of legal instruments in regard to property, its devolution and transfer. Arnett v. Readé, 220 U. S. 311.</p> <p>There are many legal restrictions that may be placed by a State' on the liberty of contract, and this court will not interfere except in a clear case of abuse of power. Chicago, Burlington'& Quincy R. R. v. McGuire, 219 U. S. 549.</p> <p>The legislature of a State has a wide, range of discretion in classifying objects of legislation; and even if