Bradley v. People

Supreme Court of the United States
Bradley v. People, 71 U.S. 459 (1866)
Nelson, Took

Bradley v. People

Opinion of the Court

Mr. Justice NELSON

delivered the opinion of the court.

The question raised in this case came before us in the case of Van Allen v. The Assessors, from New York, where the statute taxing the State banks was substantially like that of Illinois. We there held the tax unauthorized for the defect stated.

It was in that case attempted to be sustained on the same ground relied on here, that the tax on the capital was equivalent to tax on the shares, as respected the shareholders. But the position was answered that, admitting it to be so, yet, inasmuch as the capital of the State banks may consist of the bonds of the United States, which were exempt from State taxation, it was not easy to see that the tax on the capital was an equivalent to a tax on the shares.

We see no distinction between the two cases, and the judgment of the court below must be reversed, and the *463proceedings remanded, with, directions to enter a judgment affirming the decision of the board of supervisors.

Judgment accordingly.

Mr. Justice DAVIS took no part in the decision of this case.

3 Wallace, 573, 581.

Reference

Full Case Name
Bradley v. The People
Cited By
1 case
Status
Published
Syllabus
A tax on the capital of a hank is not the same thing as a tax upon the shares of ■which the capital is composed. And where a State imposes on the State hanks a tax on their capital (the shares in the hands of the shareholders being exempt from tax), it cannot lay a tax on the shares of hanks, organized under the act of June 3d, 1864, to provide a national currency. Van Allen v. The Assessors (3 'Wallace, 678), affirmed.