Plumley v. Massachusetts

Thu, 05 Apr 1894 13:00:00 +0000

Case Basics

Docket No.

406

Petitioner

Plumley

Petitioner Type

Petitioner

Respondent

Massachusetts

Respondent Type

Respondent

Heard By

Fuller Court (1894-1895)

Decided By

Fuller Court (1894-1895)

Opinion

155 U.S. 461 (1894)

Argued

Thursday, April 5, 1894

Decided

Monday, December 10, 1894

Facts of the Case

Plumley was convicted of violating a 1891 Massachusetts law which banned the manufacture and sale of oleomargarine colored yellow to look like yellow butter produced from pure milk.

Question

Did the act violate the Commerce Clause?

Conclusion

No. The Court held that the statute did not interfere with interstate commerce but served the important function of protecting the people of Massachusetts "against fraud and deception in the sale of food products." The law did not prohibit the sale of oleomargarine, just those forms of it which were colored to look like natural butter.

Cases - 1893 term

Plumley v. Massachusetts