Ruggles v. Illinois

Citations

• 108 U.S. 526
• 2 S. Ct. 832
• 27 L. Ed. 812
• 1883 U.S. LEXIS 1062

Syllabus

<p>Constitutional Law — Contracts—Illinois Railroads — Statutes.</p> <p>An amendment was made to the charter of a railroad company in Illinois providing that “the said company shall have power to make, ordain and establish all such by-laws, rules and regulations as may be deemed expedient and necessary to fulfil the purposes and carry into effect the provisions of this act, and for the well ordering, regulating and securing the affairs, business, and interest of the company : Provided, That the same be not repugnant to the Constitútion and laws of the United States, or repugnant to this act; The board of directors shall have power to establish such rates of toll for the conveyance of persons or property upon the same, as they shall from time to time by their by-laws determine, and to levy and collect the same for the use of the said company: ” Held, That inasmuch as the power to establish rates was to be exercised through by-laws, and the power to make by-laws was restricted to such as should not be repugnant (among other things), to the laws of the State, the amendment did not release the oompany from restrictions upon the amount of rates contained in general and special statutes of the State. ,</p> <p>Grants of immunity from legitimate] governmental control are never to be presumed; unless an exemption is clearly'established the legislature is free • to act on all subjects within its general jurisdiction, as the public interests may require.</p> <p>When there is an ambiguity in the language of a statute it may be necessary to inquire into the objects of the legislature in its enactment; or, if it be a private act, the purposes of the beneficiaries in asking for it; but when the language is clear, and needs no interpretation, and leads to no absurd conclusion, this will not be done. - ^</p>