Constitutional Law Commons^™

Criminal Law And Procedure - Repeal Of Statute - Eighteenth Amendment

Michigan Law Review

Defendants Chambers and Gibson were indicted on June 5, 1933, for conspiracy to violate the National Prohibition Act, and for possessing and transporting liquor in violation of the Act. Chambers pleaded guilty, and the case was continued to the December term. The case was called for trial as to Gibson on December 6, 1933. Chambers filed a plea in abatement, and Gibson demurred to the indictment. Held, the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment, by the adoption of the Twenty-first, proclaimed December 5, 1933, barred further prosecution. United States v. Chambers and Gibson, (U.S. Sup. Ct. 1934) 1 U.S. …

Constitutional Law - Moratory Legislation

Michigan Law Review

A Minnesota statute, in view of the economic emergency, provided, among other things, that courts might, upon petition of a mortgagor, extend the period of redemption from mortgage foreclosure sales for a definite time not beyond May 1, 1935. If a court took such action, the mortgagor was to remain in possession of the premises and pay a reasonable rental to the mortgagee. Held, by the United States Supreme Court in a five-to-four decision, that this statute did not violate the contracts, or due process, or equal protection clauses of the Constitution. Home Building and Loan Association v. Blaisdell …

Constitutional Law-Right To Competition

Michigan Law Review

The appellee was engaged in the business of selling natural gas. A rival utility entered the field duplicating the plant and facilities of the appellee and established with the consent of the Public Service Commission a rate lower than the prevailing rate charged by the appellee. In an attempt to retain its customers against the lower prices of its competitor the appellee lowered its rate several times. The appellants finally ordered the appellee to submit evidence as to the reasonableness of its rates. Upon investigation the Public Service Commission found that the business in the territory was capable of supporting …

Constitutional Law - Federal Control Over Crime - Scope Of Power To Regulate Crime Under The Commerce Clause

Michigan Law Review

The increase of criminal activities interstate in scope, and the growing dissatisfaction with state enforcement of local laws, have focused attention of late upon the power of Congress to regulate crime under the commerce clause of the Constitution. Outstanding among proposals for congressional legislation are the following: making interstate felonies federal offenses; punishing criminals who flee across state lines after committing a crime; and restricting the sale and transportation of firearms. Most, if not all, of this suggested legislation must rest on the commerce clause for its validity. We purpose here to discuss the nature and scope of this power, …

Constitutional Law - Emergency Banking Act - Delegation Of Power

Michigan Law Review

Defendant was indicted in two counts: (1) for failure to file a return in respect to gold bullion held by him, and (2) for holding over $200,- 000 in gold bullion without a license, in violation of the Presidential Order of August 28, 1933, issued by authority of the Emergency Banking Act of March 9, 1933. This Act declared an emergency to exist, by Title I, sec. 2 amended the Trading with the Enemy Act by authorizing the President "during time of war or during any other period of national emergency declared" by him to regulate or prohibit (inter …

Constitutional Law - Force And Effect Of Clauses Providing For Payment Of Private Indebtedness In Gold

Michigan Law Review

Certain Belgium company bonds were issued providing for payment of interest "in sterling in gold coin of the United Kingdom of or equal to the weight and fineness existing on September 1, 1928." After England had left the gold: standard the issuing company sought to make interest payments in depreciated pounds. Plaintiff bondholder sought to enforce payment of sufficient depreciated currency to enable him to purchase on the day of payment gold in the same quantity as he would have received had payment been due September 1, 1928. The English House of Lords held for plaintiff, reversing the decision of …

Process In Actions Against Non-Resident Motorists, Maurice S. Culp

Michigan Law Review

Personal service on the defendant within the jurisdiction of a State is the conventional form of process in personal actions. But considerations of convenience and public need have resulted in recognizing an additional form of process in personal actions against nonresident motorists. Statutes in 35 States authorize the commencement of suit against the non-resident motorist by substituted service on a public official of the State where the cause of action arises; the official is made for this purpose the agent or attorney of the non-resident motorist.

It is proposed herein to discuss (1) the constitutional basis of such legislation, and …

Constitutional Law - Interstate Commerce - Motor Carrier Operating Within - Single State As A Link In Interstate Transportation, Paul G. Kauper

Michigan Law Review

The plaintiff was engaged in business as a common carrier of goods by motor vehicle. He transported goods between the docks of Los Angeles harbor and points in and around Los Angeles, but all the goods which he carried were originally shipped in from or were consigned to destinations outside the State. His operations, however, were independent of the operations of connecting carriers. The California Railroad Commission ordered the plaintiff to cease operations until he secured a certificate of public convenience and necessity. Held, on review, that the plaintiff was engaged in interstate commerce, and that the Commission's order …

Constitutional Law - Interstate Commerce - State Regulation Of Motor Carriers - Highway Conservation, Paul G. Kauper

Michigan Law Review

In conformity with the Texas statute regulating contract carriers, the plaintiffs applied for permits to operate as contract carriers in interstate commerce. The Texas Railroad Commission denied the application on the grounds that the proposed use of the highways would unreasonably interfere with their use by the general public and would constitute an undue burden on said highways. Held, by a three-judge court, that the Commission was acting within its authority in refusing the application on these grounds, that such refusal was valid as to interstate motor carriers, and that evidence supported the Commission's findings, consequently the bill to …

Constitutional Law - Bank Reorganization Legislation - Composition With Depositors And Other Creditors, Maurice S. Culp

Michigan Law Review

Twenty States and the federal government now have laws permitting the reorganization and reopening of insolvent or failing banks. The usual statute provides for the reorganization of a bank upon some plan approved by a large majority of the general creditors of the institution; the plan must also have the approval of state banking officials and of a court of general jurisdiction, although the last is by no means a universal requirement. The reorganization, when approved, becomes binding upon all depositors and general creditors of the bank regardless of consent. By the terms of a few statutes, non-assenting creditors are …

Constitutional Law-Strike As Interference With Interstate Commerce

Michigan Law Review

Whether the federal courts have jurisdiction to apply the mailed fist of the injunction to the settlement of strike disputes sometimes depends on whether the strike is deemed an interference with interstate commerce. Thus, the Supreme Court held in the recent case of Levering & Garrigues v. Morrin that relief must be denied a group of New York structural steel fabricators who sought to enjoin the boycott activities of the iron workers union, because " . . . the sole aim of the conspiracy was to halt or suppress local building operations as a means of compelling the employment of …

Constitutional Law - Price Fixing - Emergency Legislation, Maurice S. Culp

Michigan Law Review

The way of governmental price regulation has been hard, and such regulation has been carefully confined to businesses clothed with a "public interest." An exception has been recognized where an "emergency" occurs in a business outside of the strict utility field. However, the apparent disruption of the competitive system during the present depression has been productive of legislation seeking to overcome the evils of that system. In People v. Nebbia, the Court of Appeals of New York sustained a recent act of the legislature creating a milk control Board and authorizing the fixing of milk prices for a 12-month …

Constitutional Law-Mortgage Foreclosure Moratorium Statutes

Michigan Law Review

The present economic crisis has been productive of much drastic legislation which is directed at the relief of the debtor class. Rather than let the depression run its course, legislative bodies have endeavored to alleviate some of the evils by so-called "emergency'' statutes. A common type of such enactment is that designed to protect mortgagors against foreclosure and sale of their property. Some of these statutes provide that the period of redemption after foreclosure sale shall be extended for a definite period, others that the courts may stay foreclosures, and some provide that there shall be no foreclosure sales unless …

Constitutional Law -Interstate Commerce -Navigable Waters -Validity Of Federal Water Power Act

Michigan Law Review

The Federal Power Commission found that the plaintiff's proposed hydroelectric development on the non-navigable New river in Virginia would affect interstate commerce on the navigable Kanawha river to which the New river was tributary. The Commission thereupon tendered the plaintiff a standard or major form license for the project. Such a license, had it been accepted by the plaintiff, would have subjected it to all the provisions of the Federal Water Power Act of 1920, including those concerning the regulation of rates, issuance of securities, expropriation of excess profits, amortization reserves, and recapture at the end of fifty years on …

Constitutional Law--- Status Of Courts Of District Of Columbia

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiffs, justices of District of Columbia courts, protested the application by the Comptroller-General of an Act of Congress reducing their salaries, alleging that they felt it their duty to have the status of these courts defined. The majority of the Court, answering questions certified by the Court of Claims; held that section l of Article III of the federal constitution applied to the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia and to the Court of Appeals of the District of Columbia, and forbade a reduction of the compensation of the justices thereof during their continuance in office, on the theory …

Constitutional Law-Force And Effect Of Clauses Providing For Payment Of Private Indebtedness In Gold

Michigan Law Review

A recent English case decided in the Court of Appeal, In re Société lntercommunale Belge D'Eléctricité, Feist v. The Company, suggests questions of interesting application to American constitutional law. In that case a debtor's obligation specified payment "in sterling in gold coin of the United Kingdom of or equal to the standard of weight and fineness existing on September 1, 1928." When payment became due, however, gold was no longer available - England had discontinued gold payments and left the gold monetary standard, gold was subject to being commandeered by the government, and gold coins were redeemable at …

Constitutional Law--Due Process--Martial Law

Michigan Law Review

The Texas Railroad Commission ordered a limitation of oil production in the East Texas field. Governor Sterling of that State issued a proclamation declaring martial law in the district and setting forth the existence of "a state of insurrection, tumult, riot and breach of the peace," and sent in troops to enforce the orders of the commission. A temporary injunction was issued restraining the commission's action but the governor continued, through the troops, to limit oil production. Such action was sought to be enjoined in the federal courts. The lower court granted the injunction. The decree was affirmed on the …

Constitutional Law - The Delegation Of Federal Legislative Power To Executive Or Administrative Agencies

Michigan Law Review

The range of governmental activity, ever expanding both because of the adoption of new functions and because of the increase in proportions of the old, has developed a frequent need for supervision by specialized administrative agencies. In addition to the normal trend toward increased administrative control, present-day economic difficulties have provided additional impetus in that direction. Hence the question of how far Congress can go in turning over its duties to executive or administrative agencies has become of immediate and vital concern.

Constitutional Law-Federal Instrumentality- Mcculloch V. Maryland In Canada And Australia, Alden L. Powell

Michigan Law Review

The British North America Act of 1867 expressly exempts from taxation certain governmental instrumentalities. Section 125 of that Act provides that "no Lands or Property belonging to Canada or any Province shall be liable to taxation." This restriction applies to both Dominion and Provincial governments. W. H. P. Clement writes that this provision was a precautionary measure "to prevent the Dominion from levying taxes for federal purposes upon property held by the Crown for provincial purposes, and vice versa. It would operate no doubt to exempt from custom's duties goods purchased abroad by a provincial government. . . . " …

Constitutional Law - Due Process And Equal Protection - Freedom Of Contract

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff denied the constitutionality of a statute declaring every settlement of a personal injury claim, retainer, or employment contract, made while the person injured is under disability from the effect of the injury, or within thirty days after the date of the injury, voidable at the option of the injured party within six months after the date of the injury. Held, that such a statute is constitutional, being neither a deprivation of property without due process of law nor a denial of the equal protection of the law. Peterson v. Panovitz, (N. D. 1932) 243 N. W. 798.

Constitutional Law -Validity Of Restrictions On House-To-House Selling

Michigan Law Review

Although data of an accurate nature are not available there seems no doubt that the use of house-to-house selling as a means of distribution has received a considerable impetus during the past few years. So extensive, in fact, has the practice become that many communities are seeking relief from whatever undesirable features may be felt. The problem has already been the subject of litigation in Fuller Brush Co. v. Town of Green River. That other controversies will inevitably follow justifies consideration of the legal aspects involved.

The Contribution Of Thomas M. Cooley To Bryce's "American Commonwealth", Everett S. Brown

Michigan Law Review

In the preface to The American Commonwealth, James Bryce acknowledged his indebtedness to numerous friends who, in one way or other, aided him in the writing of his book. First on this list is the name of Thomas M. Cooley. An examination of the text and footnotes of The American Commonwealth shows that Bryce was well acquainted with Cooley's published works, especially his Constitutional Limitations and his General Principles of Constitutional Law, which he quoted frequently with approval and respect. Also one finds six references to letters from Judge Cooley or to observations made directly by him to Bryce. But …

The New Spanish Constitution And International Obligations, Jesse S. Reeves

Michigan Law Review

The promulgation of a Constitution for the Republic of Spain, of date of December 9, 1931, invites attention to certain provisions therein relating to international law, treaties, and related topics.

The Constitution of Esthonia, dated June 15, 1920, Article 4, contains apparently the earliest constitutional provision as to the relation of international to the municipal law: "The universally recognized general rules of international law are an integral part of the laws of Esthonia." The German Constitution of August II, 1920, Article 4, provides that "the generally recognized rules of international law are valid as binding constituent parts of the law …

Constitutional Law - Due Process - Regulation Of The Business Of The Contract Motor Carrier

Michigan Law Review

Much of the doubt and uncertainty concerning the power of the States to regulate the contract motor carrier has been dispelled by the recent decision of the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of Stephenson et al. v. Binford et al. A Texas statute specifically defined the two categories of common and contract carriers for hire and undertook to regulate the business of each through the agency of the State Railroad Commission; the statute required contract carriers to secure "permits" which were to be granted by the commission only after a hearing and not if the …

Intoxicating Liquors -The New Michigan Amendment

Michigan Law Review

The people of the State of Michigan at the last general election ratified an amendment to section 11, Article 16 of the state constitution, the so-called prohibition section, to authorize the legislature to establish a liquor control commission and to impose an excise tax on liquor sales. In accordance with constitutional provisions this amendment went into effect on December eighth last. As the new amendment is drafted it leaves unsettled at least three important matters: (1) The present law in Michigan on the subject of intoxicating liquors; (2) The powers vested by it in the legislature and the liquor control …

Constitutional Law-Res Judicata In Federal Courts

Michigan Law Review

In American Surety Company v. Baldwin the Surety Company had chosen the state courts of Idaho as its forum for determining the issue of liability upon the supersedeas bond and had pursued its remedy to the Supreme Court. Then it sought to re-open the issue and inject a federal question by bringing an action to enjoin the enforcement of the judgment in the federal courts in Idaho. It was held that the doctrine of res judicata prevented a resort to an independent hearing in the federal courts in that State. American Surety Company v. Baldwin, (U.S. 1932) 53 Sup. …

Constitutional Law - Requirements Of Due Process In State Procedure

Michigan Law Review

In American Surety Company v. Baldwin the Surety Company complained that the procedure in Idaho deprived it of a hearing upon its liability on a supersedeas bond. After judgment was given on the bond the Surety Company moved to vacate the order and the motion was granted. Baldwin took an appeal from this order to the Supreme Court of Idaho which reversed the trial court. The sole question raised by the motion was whether the trial court had jurisdiction to give judgment. Under the Idaho practice an appeal from the judgment of the court was the proper method to review …

Constitutional Law-Power Of President To Approve A Bill After Final Adjournment

Michigan Law Review

The final adjournment of the 71st Congress occurred on March 4th, 1931. The day following, President Hoover signed Private Bill No. 510 (46 Stat. 2163) giving the Court of Claims jurisdiction to adjudicate the claims of one Edwards against the government. The question of the bill's validity was presented to the Supreme Court on certificate from the Court of Claims, and it was held valid. Edwards v. United States, (U.S. 1932) 52 Sup. Ct. 627.

Constitutional Law - Federal Questions Reviewable By The Supreme Court

Michigan Law Review

Two cases decided by the Supreme Court at the October, 1932, term of Court raised important questions of federal practice and due process of law. Judgment was rendered, on motion, without notice, pursuant to the terms of the bond, against the American Surety Company on a supersedeas bond given in an action in which the Singer Sewing Machine Company and one Anderson were the defendants in the trial court after the Supreme Court of Idaho had affirmed the judgment of the trial court as to Anderson and reversed it as to the Sewing Machine Company. An order of the trial …

What Is A "Contract" Under The Contracts Clause Of The Federal Constitution?, Paul G. Kauper

Michigan Law Review

The case of Coombes v. Getz, recently decided by the United States Supreme Court, raises in a crucial way the question of what is a contract within the meaning of Article I, section 10 of the Constitution, forbidding States to pass laws impairing the obligations of contracts. A provision of the California Constitution in force at the time the plaintiffs brought this action in the state court below made directors of corporations jointly and severally liable to the creditors and stockholders for all moneys embezzled or misappropriated by the officers of the corporation during the term of office of …