United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Ry. Co. v. Polt, 232 U.S. 165 (1914)

Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul

Railway Company v. Polt

No. 161

Argued January 16, 1914

Decided January 26, 1914

232 U.S. 165

Syllabus

While the states have a large latitude in the policy they will pursue in regard to enforcing prompt settlement of claims against railroad companies, the rudiments of fair play to the companies as required by the Fourteenth Amendment must be recognized.

The statute of South Dakota of 1907, c. 215, making railroad companies liable for double damages in case of failure to pay a claim or to offer

Page 232 U. S. 166

a sum equal to what the jury finds the claimant entitled to, held to be unconstitutional depriving the companies of their property without due process of law. St. Louis, Iron Mtn. & Southern Ry. v. Wynne, 224 U. S. 354, followed; Yazoo & Miss. Valley R. Co. v. Jackson Vinegar Co., 226 U. S. 217, distinguished.

26 S.D. 378 reversed.

The facts, which involve the validity under the due process provisions of the Fourteenth Amendment of a judgment for double damages entered under a railroad claim statute of South Dakota, are stated in the opinion

Page 232 U. S. 167