Baltimore & Harford Turnpike Co. v. Garrett
Baltimore & Harford Turnpike Co. v. Garrett
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the Court.
This case was tried in the Court below on an agreed statement of facts, and the sole question raised depends upon the construction of the 30th section of the Act of
It is insisted by the appellant that it is entitled to charge those living on or adjacent to the road, and within three miles of a gate, one full toll in each twenty-four hours, for each separate wagon or vehicle of such persons passing through the gate; and supposable cases are stated to illustrate the hardship and great injustice that would be done by a contrary construction. But, though apparently hard upon the appellant, the terms of the statute are too broad and imperative to admit of the construction for which the appellant contends. It is expressly forbidden to demand of or receive from any such person, any toll for passing the gate more than once in twenty-four hours. The toll is a personal exaction, regulated with reference to the nature of the vehicles or the number of animals, taken through the gates; and, consequently, the exemption from toll is a personal immunity, having reference to the location of the residence of the party exempted. When, therefore, a party entitled to the partial exemption pays, or becomes liable to pay, one toll, whether it be on a horse, cart or carriage, he is thereby exonerated from
Judgment affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- The Baltimore and Harford Turnpike Company v. John W. Garrett
- Status
- Published