United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Ouachita Packet Co. v. Aiken, 121 U.S. 444 (1887)

Ouachita Packet Company v. Aiken

Argued January 5, 1887

Decided April 25, 1887

121 U.S. 444

Syllabus

Wharfage is, in the absence of federal legislation, governed by local state laws, and if the rates authorized by them and by municipal ordinances enacted under their authority are unreasonable, the remedy must be sought by invoking the laws of the state.

A municipal ordinance of New Orleans which authorizes the collection of a Wharfage rate, to be measured by the tonnage of the vessels which use the wharves and estimated to be sufficient to light the wharves, and to keep them in repair, and to construct new wharves as required, and which may realize a profit over these expenses, is held not to conflict with the Constitution or with any law of the United States.

In equity. Decree dismissing the bill. Complainants appealed. The case is stated in the opinion of the court.