Western Union Telegraph Co. v. Railroad Commission

Citations

• 120 La. 758
• 45 So. 598
• 1908 La. LEXIS 566

Syllabus

<p>1. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW — CONSTRUCTION OF Provisions.</p> <p>It is true that in the interpretation of a Constitution, as in the interpretation of statute law, the inquiry is to be directed to the ascertainment of the idea intended to be expressed by the language used; but the conditions to be considered in the two cases differ in some respects, for statutes are sometimes hastily drawn, and construction is necessary to give them effect, whereas- the language of a Constitution is presumably selected with the utmost discrimination.</p> <p>[Ed. Note. — For cases in point, see Cent. Dig. vol. 10, Constitutional Law, § 9.]</p> <p>2. Same.</p> <p>The rule that, “as exceptions strengthen the force of a general law, so enumeration weakens as to things not enumerated,” applies to the provisions of a Constitution, as well as to those of a statute.</p> <p>[Ed. Note. — For cases in 'point, see Cent. Dig. vol. 10, Constitutional Law, § 9.]</p> <p>3. TELEGRAPHS AND TELEPHONES — REGULATION — POWEK op Railroad Commission.</p> <p>The Constitution of this state in terms grants to the Railroad Commission the power to make regulations to govern the “tariffs and service” of carriers of passengers and freight, and in equally explicit terms grants it the power to make regulations to govern the “charges” and “rates” of telephone and telegraph lines; and this court finds no warrant for holding that the discrimination was not intended.</p> <p>[Ed. Note. — For cases in point, see Cent. Dig. vol. 45, Telegraphs and Telephones, § 14.]</p> <p>(Syllabus by the Court.)</p>