United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Central Transp. Co. v. Pullman's Car Co., 139 U.S. 24 (1891)

Central Transportation Co. v.

Pullman's Palace Car Company

No. 379

Argued January 28-29, 1890

Decided March 2, 1891

139 U.S. 24

ERROR TO THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE UNITED

STATES FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Syllabus

A statute of a state which authorizes the judge presiding at the trial to order a judgment of nonsuit to be entered when in his opinion the evidence introduced by the plaintiff is insufficient in matter of law to sustain a verdict may be followed, under Rev.Stat. § 914, in the circuit court of the United States held within that state, and a judgment of nonsuit rendered accordingly, upon a ruling in matter of law duly excepted to, may be reviewed by this Court on writ of error.

A corporation formed by articles of association called a certificate or charter under the general laws of Pennsylvania concerning manufacturing companies, with a certain capital stock, for twenty years, for "the transportation of passengers in railroad cars constructed and owned by the said company" under certain patents, carried on the business of manufacturing sleeping cars under its patents, and of hiring or letting the cars to railroad companies by written contracts, receiving a revenue from the sale of berths and accommodations to passengers. Seven years afterwards, by a special act of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, the charter was extended for ninety-nine years, and the corporation was empowered to double its capital stock, and