Muskrat v. United States 219 U.S. 346 (1911)

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MUSKRAT v. UNITED STATES 219 U.S. 346 (1911)

In one of a series of test cases, the Court here refused to hear the suits involved because the parties failed to meet the constitutional requirement of cases or controversies (Article III, section 2). Congress had authorized certain Indians to sue the United States in the court of claims and directed the attorney general to defend. The object was to determine the validity of certain congressional acts regarding Indian lands. The Court dismissed the suits, denying that Congress had the authority to create a case and designate parties to it.

David Gordon
(1986)

(see also: Ashwander v. Tennessee Valley Authority; Collusive Suit.)

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