Aaron B. Cooley v. The Board of Wardens of the Port of Philadelphia case brief

Aaron B. Cooley v. The Board of Wardens of the Port of Philadelphia case brief summary
53 U.S. 299 (1851)

CASE SYNOPSIS

Plaintiffs brought writs of error from the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, which found that a state regulation involving the regulation of pilots was constitutional and valid.

CASE FACTS
Plaintiffs brought writs of error and sought to be exempted from the payment of half-pilotage fees, which they were required to pay pursuant to a state law that required certain ships to either receive a pilot or pay a fee. Plaintiffs contended that the state law contravened provisions of the Constitution. Plaintiffs complained that the state law was repugnant to the provision of the Constitution that provided that Congress had the power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and among the several states.

DISCUSSION

• The Court affirmed the finding that the state law was valid and not in conflict with any provisions of the Constitution. 
• The Court found that the grant to Congress of the power to regulate commerce did not deprive the states of the power to regulate pilots. 
• Although Congress was granted such power, nothing required that it should be exercised exclusively by Congress.

CONCLUSION

The Court affirmed the judgments.