United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Chiles v. Chesapeake & Ohio Ry. Co., 218 U.S. 71 (1910)

Chiles v. Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Company

No. 158

Argued April 18, 1910

»Decided May 31, 1910

218 U.S. 71

Syllabus

As held by the court of appeals of Kentucky, a railroad company has the right, in that state, to establish rules and regulations which require white and colored passengers, even though they be interstate, to occupy separate apartments upon the train provided there is no discrimination in the accommodations.

In this case, held that an interstate colored passenger was not compelled to occupy a separate apartment on a train in Kentucky from that occupied by white passengers under a state statute, but under rules and regulations of the railroad company.

Whether interstate passengers of different races must have different apartments or share the same apartment is a question of interstate commerce to be determined by Congress alone, Louisville & Nashville R. Co. v. Mississippi, 133 U. S. 587, and the inaction of Congress in that regard is equivalent to the declaration that carriers can by reasonable regulations separate colored and white passengers.

Regulations which are induced by the general sentiment of the community for whom they are made and upon whom they operate cannot be said to be unreasonable.

125 Ky. 299 affirmed.

The facts, which involve constitutional rights of colored passengers on interstate trains in Kentucky, are stated in the opinion.

Page 218 U. S. 72