Smyth v. Ames

169 U.S. 466 (1898)

From our private database of 46,500+ case briefs, written and edited by humans—never with AI.

Smyth v. Ames

United States Supreme Court
169 U.S. 466 (1898)

  • Written by Robert Cane, JD
Play video

Facts

In 1983, Nebraska enacted a statute that established maximum rates for rail service within the state. The finances of the railroad companies indicated that for the three fiscal years ending between 1891 and 1893, the maximum rates set by statute would have resulted in actual losses to all but two of the railroad companies that operated within the state. Even so, the two companies that would not have incurred losses would have earned too little above operating expenses to be considered just compensation. A group of railroad companies (plaintiffs) that operated within the state filed suit. They claimed that the establishment of maximum rates was effectively a taking of private property without just compensation. The circuit court found in favor of the railroad companies. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Harlan, J.)

What to do next…

  1. Unlock this case brief with a free (no-commitment) trial membership of Quimbee.

    You’ll be in good company: Quimbee is one of the most widely used and trusted sites for law students, serving more than 832,000 law students since 2011. Some law schools even subscribe directly to Quimbee for all their law students.

  2. Learn more about Quimbee’s unique (and proven) approach to achieving great grades at law school.

    Quimbee is a company hell-bent on one thing: helping you get an “A” in every course you take in law school, so you can graduate at the top of your class and get a high-paying law job. We’re not just a study aid for law students; we’re the study aid for law students.

Here's why 832,000 law students have relied on our case briefs:

  • Written by law professors and practitioners, not other law students. 46,500 briefs, keyed to 994 casebooks. Top-notch customer support.
  • The right amount of information, includes the facts, issues, rule of law, holding and reasoning, and any concurrences and dissents.
  • Access in your classes, works on your mobile and tablet. Massive library of related video lessons and high quality multiple-choice questions.
  • Easy to use, uniform format for every case brief. Written in plain English, not in legalese. Our briefs summarize and simplify; they don’t just repeat the court’s language.

Access this case brief for FREE

With a 7-day free trial membership
Here's why 832,000 law students have relied on our case briefs:
  • Reliable - written by law professors and practitioners, not other law students
  • The right length and amount of information - includes the facts, issue, rule of law, holding and reasoning, and any concurrences and dissents
  • Access in your class - works on your mobile and tablet
  • 46,500 briefs - keyed to 994 casebooks
  • Uniform format for every case brief
  • Written in plain English - not in legalese and not just repeating the court's language
  • Massive library of related video lessons - and practice questions
  • Top-notch customer support

Access this case brief for FREE

With a 7-day free trial membership