Cooley v. Board of Wardens of Port of Philadelphia ex rel. Soc. for Relief of Distressed Pilots (1850)
- Docket
- None
- Decided
- 1850-1900-
- Category
- General
Summary
Question: Does a Pennsylvania’s law requiring ships to hire a local pilot violate the Commerce Clause of the Constitution? Conclusion: The majority held the pilotage law did not violate the Constitution, reasoning localized elements of commerce like selection of pilots could be appropriately delegated to the states. Though navigation was commerce, the Court held that pilotage demanded diverse local rules to cope with varying local conditions. Therefore, Congress’s power was selectively exclusive.