Minneapolis & St. Louis R. Co. v. Bombolis, 241 U.S. 211 (1916)

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Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad Company v. Bombolis

No. 478

Argued April 19, 20, 1916
Decided May 22, 1916
241 U.S. 211

ERROR TO THE SUPREME COURT

OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA

Syllabus

The Seventh Amendment exacts a trial by jury according to the course of the common law -- that is, by a unanimous verdict.

The first ten Amendments are not concerned with state action, and deal only with federal action.

The Seventh Amendment applies only to proceedings in courts of the United States; it does not in any manner govern or regulate trials by jury in state courts, nor does it apply to an action brought in the state court under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act.

A verdict in a state court in an action under the Employers’ Liability Act which is not unanimous, but which is legal under the law of the state, is not illegal as violating the Seventh Amendment.

While a state court may enforce a right created by a federal statute, such court does not, while performing that duty, derive its authority as a court from the United States, but from the state, and the Seventh Amendment does not apply to it.

128 Minn. 112 affirmed.

The facts, which involve the validity of a verdict and judgment under the Employers’ Liability Act and the application and effect of the Seventh Amendment in suits in the state courts under that Act, are stated in the opinion.