Gibbons v. ogden (1824)
Facts
Robert Livingston, and his partner Robert Fulton, had gotten a grant to navigate the waters of New York from the New York State Legislature. The grant also said that no one could be allowed to navigate New York waters by steam without a license from Livingston and Fulton. In other words, if you wanted to have a steamboat business in New York waters you had to approach Livingston and Fulton for a license.
Aaron Ogden had secured a license for steam navigation from Fulton and Livingston and had a successful business. However, Ogden had a business rival, Thomas Gibbons who was operating steamboats between New York and New Jersey under the authority of a license obtained from the United States (federal government). Ogden petitioned the New York court to put a stop to Gibbons’ business.
What is the Constitutional Issue?
Whether the State of New York had the power to regulate commerce on interstate waters or whether the federal government did. This is an issue about federal supremacy and interstate commerce.
Supreme Court's Opinion
The Supreme Court used this case to put forth the position that Congress (federal government) can legislate and regulate all matters of interstate commerce as long as there is some commercial connection with another state. Again, the issue determined that the federal government was superior to state governments, but with regards to interstate commerce.
Robert Livingston, and his partner Robert Fulton, had gotten a grant to navigate the waters of New York from the New York State Legislature. The grant also said that no one could be allowed to navigate New York waters by steam without a license from Livingston and Fulton. In other words, if you wanted to have a steamboat business in New York waters you had to approach Livingston and Fulton for a license.
Aaron Ogden had secured a license for steam navigation from Fulton and Livingston and had a successful business. However, Ogden had a business rival, Thomas Gibbons who was operating steamboats between New York and New Jersey under the authority of a license obtained from the United States (federal government). Ogden petitioned the New York court to put a stop to Gibbons’ business.
What is the Constitutional Issue?
Whether the State of New York had the power to regulate commerce on interstate waters or whether the federal government did. This is an issue about federal supremacy and interstate commerce.
Supreme Court's Opinion
The Supreme Court used this case to put forth the position that Congress (federal government) can legislate and regulate all matters of interstate commerce as long as there is some commercial connection with another state. Again, the issue determined that the federal government was superior to state governments, but with regards to interstate commerce.