Sheldon v. Wabash R. Co.

105 F. 785, 1900 U.S. App. LEXIS 4910

• Court: U.S. Circuit Court for the Northern District of Illnois
• Decided: July 6, 1900
• Docket: No. 25,465
• Status: Published

Opinion

KOHLSAAT, District Judge.

This is a suit commenced in the state court, and removed by defendants to this court, in which complainants seek a mandatory injunction compelling defendants to cease the enforcement of certain alleged unjust discriminations against complainants in the matter of rates of freight on car-load shipments between New York and Chicago. The sole question presented by counsel on the argument of the demurrers herein is that of the jurisdiction of the state court to entertain this proceeding.. From the briefs and arguments of counsel 1 am of the opinion that the following propositions of law are sustained by the authorities, and are controlling in the decision of this question:

1. That the statutes of Illinois relied upon in the bill are void so far as they attempt to regulate rates upon trade between ditl'erent states.

2. That there is not now, and never has been, any jurisdiction at common law over commerce between the states.

3. That tlie interstate commerce act creates rights and remedies not existing at common law, and constitutes legislation solely within the power of the federal government.

4. That the jurisdiction of the federal courts over causes arising under the interstate commerce act is exclusive, and no action can be maintained in the state courts thereon.

5. That the question of lack of jurisdiction presented here is always open for determination, even though there may be in the case prior rulings of the same or another judge sustaining the jurisdiction.

The bill will therefore be dismissed for want of jurisdiction in the state court to entertain it.