In re Debs
United States Supreme Court
158 U.S. 564 (1895)
Relevant factsFree
The American Railway Union, led by Debs (defendant), went on strike and physically obstructed interstate railways that also carried United States mail; a federal court issued an injunction ordering the union to stop interfering, and when the union disobeyed, the court held Debs and other participants in contempt and jailed them. Debs appealed, arguing the federal government lacked authority to impose such punishment.
IssueFree
Whether the federal government has authority to forcibly remove obstructions upon highways and railways to the passage of interstate commerce and the carrying of United States mail.