Fairchild v. Hughes, 258 U.S. 126 (1922)

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Fairchild v. Hughes

No. 148

Argued January 23, 1922
Decided February 27, 1922
258 U.S. 126

APPEAL FROM THE COURT OF APPEALS

OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

1. The general right of a citizen to have the government administered according to law and the public moneys not wasted does not entitle him to institute in the federal courts a suit to secure by indirection a determination whether a statute, if passed, or a constitutional amendment about to be adopted, will be valid. P. 129.

2. Though in form a suit in equity, this is not a case within Art. III, § 2, of the Constitution. P. 129.

Affirmed.

Appeal from a decree of the court below affirming a decree of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia which dismissed a bill by which the appellant sought to have the Nineteenth Amendment declared unconstitutional and to enjoin the Secretary of State from proclaiming its ratification and the Attorney General from taking steps to enforce it.