Pennsylvania Railroad v. Riblet

Citations

• 66 Pa. 164
• 1871 Pa. LEXIS 10

Syllabus

<p>1. A railroad company is not bound to make fences along their track unless required by their charter.</p> <p>2. The Act of April 13th 1868 requiring railroad companies within Erie county to rebuild fences destroyed by fire from their trains, is within the police power of the state and is constitutional.</p> <p>3. It is the duty of the legislature to provide for the public safety; and they have for this purpose all the legislative power of the Commonwealth.</p> <p>4. Since the amendments of 1864, the title of an act is part of it.</p> <p>5. The effect, not the purpose of an act, determines its validity.</p> <p>6. Nothing but a clear usurpation of a power prohibited will justify pronouncing an act of the legislature void.</p>