**DEFINITION:**
*List of United States Supreme Court cases, volume 177* is a compilation of the official United States Reports containing the Supreme Court decisions issued during the period covered by volume 177. This volume includes cases decided in 1900 and 1901, reflecting significant legal rulings from the turn of the 20th century.
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# List of United States Supreme Court Cases, Volume 177
Volume 177 of the United States Reports comprises the official published opinions of the Supreme Court of the United States decided during the October Term of 1900 and the following months into 1901. This volume includes a variety of cases that address constitutional, federal, and statutory issues, reflecting the legal landscape of the United States at the dawn of the 20th century.
## Background
The United States Reports is the official record of the Supreme Court’s rulings, orders, case tables, and other proceedings. Each volume contains the full text of the Court’s opinions, including majority, concurring, and dissenting opinions. Volume 177 covers cases argued and decided primarily in 1900 and 1901, a period marked by the Court’s engagement with issues related to commerce, federal authority, and civil rights.
At this time, the Supreme Court was composed of nine justices, including Chief Justice Melville Fuller. The Court’s decisions in this volume reflect the judicial philosophy and legal interpretations prevalent during the Fuller Court era.
## Notable Cases in Volume 177
Several cases in volume 177 have had lasting impacts on American jurisprudence. Below are some of the more significant decisions:
### United States v. Ju Toy, 177 U.S. 462 (1900)
In *United States v. Ju Toy*, the Court addressed the issue of habeas corpus relief for individuals denied entry into the United States. The case involved a Chinese immigrant who was denied admission under the Chinese Exclusion Act. The Court held that the administrative decisions of immigration officials were conclusive and not subject to judicial review through habeas corpus, effectively limiting judicial oversight of immigration decisions. This ruling underscored the plenary power doctrine regarding immigration control.
### Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Co. v. Minnesota, 177 U.S. 284 (1900)
This case dealt with the regulation of railroad rates by state commissions. The Court examined whether Minnesota’s rate-setting procedures violated the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The decision emphasized the limits of state regulatory power and the protection of property rights under the Constitution, contributing to the development of administrative law and regulatory oversight.
### United States v. Wong Kim Ark, 177 U.S. 621 (1900)
Although the landmark decision in *United States v. Wong Kim Ark* is officially reported in volume 169 U.S., the volume 177 cases continued to address related issues of citizenship and immigration. The Court’s rulings during this period helped clarify the interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause, particularly regarding birthright citizenship.
## Structure of the Volume
Volume 177 is organized chronologically by the date of decision. Each case entry includes the case name, citation, date of argument and decision, and the full text of the Court’s opinion. Opinions may include majority, concurring, and dissenting views, providing insight into the Court’s deliberations.
The volume also contains a syllabus summarizing each case’s key points, which aids legal researchers and practitioners in quickly understanding the Court’s holdings.
## Legal and Historical Significance
The cases in volume 177 reflect the Supreme Court’s role in shaping federal law during a period of rapid economic growth and social change in the United States. The Court’s decisions addressed emerging issues such as federal regulatory authority, immigration control, and civil liberties.
The rulings in this volume contributed to the development of doctrines related to administrative law, due process, and the balance of power between state and federal governments. They also illustrate the judicial attitudes toward immigration and citizenship at a time when the United States was grappling with questions of national identity and federal authority.
## Justices of the Supreme Court During Volume 177
The Fuller Court, named after Chief Justice Melville Fuller, presided over the cases in volume 177. The justices serving at this time were:
– Melville Fuller (Chief Justice)
– Stephen J. Field
– John M. Harlan
– Horace Gray
– David J. Brewer
– Henry B. Brown
– George Shiras Jr.
– Edward D. White
– Rufus W. Peckham
Their judicial philosophies influenced the Court’s approach to constitutional interpretation and federalism during this era.
## Conclusion
Volume 177 of the United States Reports provides a valuable snapshot of Supreme Court jurisprudence at the turn of the 20th century. The cases contained within illustrate the Court’s engagement with critical legal issues of the time, including immigration, regulatory authority, and constitutional rights. As part of the official record, this volume remains an important resource for understanding the evolution of American law and the Supreme Court’s role in shaping it.
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**META_DESCRIPTION:**
Volume 177 of the United States Reports contains Supreme Court decisions from 1900-1901, covering key cases on immigration, federal regulation, and constitutional law during the Fuller Court era. This volume reflects important legal developments at the turn of the 20th century.