United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Mahoney v. Joseph Triner Corp., 304 U.S. 401 (1938)

Mahoney v. Joseph Triner Corp.

No. 761

Argued April 25, 1938

Decided May 23, 1938

304 U.S. 401

Syllabus

1. Since the adoption of the Twenty-first Amendment, the Equal Protection Clause is inapplicable to imported intoxicating liquor. P. 304 U. S. 403.

2. A Minnesota statute provides that no licensed manufacturer or wholesaler shall import any brand of intoxicating liquors containing more than 25% of alcohol by volume, ready for sale without further processing, unless such brand is registered in the Patent Office of the United States. Held, valid under the Twenty-first Amendment as applied to a foreign corporation, licensed in Minnesota and engaged there in wholesaling liquor imported, ready for sale, from another State, under brands not registered, notwithstanding the discrimination arising in favor of liquor processed within the State and in favor of imported brands that are registered. P. 304 U. S. 404.

3. Independently of the Twenty-first Amendment, a State has power to terminate licenses to sell intoxicating liquors. P. 304 U. S. 404.

20 F.Supp. 1019 reversed.

Appeal from a decree of a district court of three judges enjoining the enforcement of a liquor regulation. See also 11 F.Supp. 145.

Page 304 U. S. 402