Supreme Court Case

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Supreme Court Case

• Muller v. Oregon

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A new workforce

• Women

..And Children
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Labor law in the state of Oregon

• Passed on February 19, 1903
• No female shall be employed in any mechanical
  establishment, or factory, or laundry in this
  state more than ten hours during any one day.

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Grand Laundrys violation

• Owner Curt Muller represented by William D.
  Fenton
  
• Supervisor Joe Haselbock
• Worker Emma Gotcher
• Criminal charges against Curt Muller

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Lochner v. New York

• Forbade bakers to work more than sixty hours a
  week or ten hours a day
  
• Law invalidated on the grounds of freedom of
  contract

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Ritchie v. People

• First case to apply the due process clause to
  women
  
• Freedom of contract and class legislation viable
  arguments against protective laws

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Mr. Muller loses

• Circuit court Guiltyfine of ten dollars
• Appeal of Oregon Supreme Court Guiltybased on
  Holden v. Hardy
  
• Holden v. Hardy - Employers right to freedom of
  contract was realized but the freedom is
  subjected to limitations of the state

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Final appeal to Supreme Court
Muller uses Lochner and Ritchie arguments
National Consumers League Florence Kelley
Louis D. Brandeis The Brandeis Brief
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Brandeis Brief
Cited testimony of non-judicial figures
Women frailer than men and strenuous work is
injurious to body
Overwork causes injury to the rest of society
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The courts decision

• The Oregon law is upheld by Justice J. Brewer
• Judgement is based on Brandeis Brief
• Agrees women are at maternal and physical
  disadvantage
  
• Limitations are for the well-being of the entire
  nation

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Results

• Sociological Jurisprudence

Broader reform goals
Feminist movement
Civil Rights Bill
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My Opinion

• Case most likely aided to the idea of female
  inferiority
  
• Necessary at the time and more beneficial than
  harmful
  
• A triumph for the working class over
  self-interest employers