Borough of Warren v. Geer
Borough of Warren v. Geer
Opinion of the Court
Opinion,
There is certainly nothing in the ordinance in question in this case which conflicts either with the constitution of the United States or of the state of Pennsylvania. It is an ordinance which requires every person canvassing from house to house in the borough of Warren for the purpose of selling or soliciting orders for books or pictures or certain other enumerated articles, to take out a license from the burgess for that purpose and pay certain fees therefor. By another provision of the ordinance it is declared that it shall not apply to persons holding mercantile licenses within the borough nor to persons resident in the county selling their own farm produce. The effect of the ordinance would seem to be to subject persons who would otherwise pay no license for the privilege of doing business within the borough, to the duty of paying something for the privilege,when they undertake to exercise it without incurring the expense of a mercantile license. There is surely notliiúg unreasonable in such a requirement. It is difficult to understand why one portion of the community which engages in the transaction of business in a municipality,
Judgment reversed and procedendo awarded.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- THE BOROUGH OF WARREN v. L. F. GEER
- Cited By
- 21 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- An act incorporating a borough gave to the council the express power to enact such by-laws and make such rules, regulations and ordinances as should be determined necessary to promote the peace, good order, benefit and advantage of said borough: Held, 1. That the council had power under such act and under the general borough act of April 3, 1851, P. L. 320, as well, to enact an ordinance requiring persons canvassing from house to house for the sale of books or pictures, shirts, clothing, groceries,- etc., to obtain a license and pay a fee therefor, or, in default thereof, to be subjected to a fine. 2. That such an ordinance was not unreasonable as contrary to common right, nor was it in conflict with either the constitution of the United States or that of this commonwealth.