Lochner v. New York · ¶32

In St. Louis, Iron Mountain &c. Ry. v. Paul, 173 U. S. 404, 409, and in Knoxville Iron Co. v. Harbison, 183 U. S. 13, 21, 22, it was distinctly adjudged that the right of contract was not “absolute'in respect to every matter, but may be subjected to the restraints demanded by the saféty and welfare of the State.” Those cases illustrate the extent to which the State may restrict or interfere with the exercise of the right of contracting.

U. S. Reports, bound volume
U. S. Reports, volume 198, at 45 (Library of Congress) · transcription: Caselaw Access Project
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