Stein v. Bienville Water Supply Co., 141 U.S. 67 (1891)
U.S. Supreme Court
Stein v. Bienville Water Supply Co., 141 U.S. 67 (1891)
Stein v. Bienville Water Supply Company
No. 344
Argued April 28, 1891
Decided May 11, 1891
141 U.S. 67
Syllabus
A contract with a municipal corporation whereby the corporation grants to the contractor the sole privilege of supplying the municipality with water from a designated source for a term of years is not impaired, within the meaning of the contract clause of the Constitution, by a grant to another party of a privilege to supply it with water from a different source.
Where a contract with a municipal corporation is susceptible of two meanings, the one restricting and the other extending the powers of the corporation, that construction is to be adopted which works the least harm to the state.
The case is stated in the opinion.