In re Debs

1895 United States Supreme Court caseIn re DebsSupreme Court of the United StatesArgued March 25–26, 1895Decided May 27, 1895Full case nameIn re Eugene V. Debs, PetitionerCitations158 U.S. 564 (more)15 S. Ct. 900; 39 L. Ed. 1092; 1895 U.S. LEXIS 2279HoldingThe court ruled that the government had a right to regulate interstate commerce and ensure the operations of the Post Office Department, along with a responsibility to "ensure the general welfare of the public."Court membership Chief Justice Melville Fuller Associate Justices Stephen J. Field · John M. HarlanHorace Gray · David J. BrewerHenry B. Brown · George Shiras Jr.Howell E. Jackson · Edward D. White Case opinionMajorityBrewer, joined by unanimousLaws appliedCommerce Clause; Postal ClauseSuperseded byLauf v. E. G. Shinner & Co. (1938)Abrogated byNorris–La Guardia Act of 1932 In re Debs, 158 U.S. 564 (1895), was a labor law case of the United States Supreme Court, which upheld a contempt of court conviction against Eugene V. Debs. Debs had the American Railway Union continue its 1894 Pullman Strike in violation of a federal injunction ordering labor unions back to work. The Supreme Court held that the federal governme