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Michigan Supreme Court

Michigan Supreme Court. Territorial Times to the 1950s: Decisions Affecting African Americans. Territorial Cases. Judge Woodward:1807. Denison v Tucker: slaves returned to Tucker who was deemed to be lawful master of the Denisons

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Michigan Supreme Court

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  1. Michigan Supreme Court Territorial Times to the 1950s: Decisions Affecting African Americans

  2. Territorial Cases

  3. Judge Woodward:1807 • Denison v Tucker: slaves returned to Tucker who was deemed to be lawful master of the Denisons • In Matter of Richard Pattinson: Woodward decided not to return fugitive slaves • Two cases demonstrate conflict between what was viewed as the immorality of slavery and an obligation to and interpretation of the laws

  4. Voting • Gordon v Farrar: Supreme Court found that voting was exclusive to white males, 1844 • People v Dean: Justices Campbell, Cooley and Christiancy defined white as “less than ¼ African blood” • Hedgeman v Board of Registration: Court held that free blacks were not citizens

  5. Education • Workman v Detroit Board of Education, 1869 • “Separate but Equal” Doctrine dismissed • Public school admission based on race ruled illegal • 1871: William W. Ferguson first African American admitted to Detroit Public School system • Legal victory without practical application, schools continued to be segregated

  6. Public Accommodations • Day v Owen, 1858 • Ferguson v Gies, 1890 • Bolden v Grand Rapids Operating Corp, 1927

  7. Day v Owen, 1858 • Denied passage on a steamer from Detroit to Toledo • Sued for damages • Court ruled that ultimately the defendant had the right to decide who would ride on his steamer

  8. Ferguson v Gies, 1890 • Came after Civil Rights legislation, Act 130 • Counteracted ideology of Day v Owen • “In Michigan, there must be absolute, unconditional equality of White and Colored before the Law”-Justice Morse • Prominent African American representation Justice Morse

  9. Bolden v Grand Rapids Operating Corp, 1927 • Gave African Americans right to sue for damages if discriminated against • Michigan’s Civil Rights Statute was found to be constitutional exercise of the state’s police powers

  10. William W. Ferguson • Prominent Detroit business owner of a printing company • Became a lawyer in 1897 • First African American elected to Michigan Legislature

  11. D. Augustus Straker • African-American lawyer from the Bahamas, represented Ferguson • One of the first minorities to argue before the Michigan Supreme Court • Included in 1900 time capsule that was recently opened

  12. Restrictive Covenants • Most commonly, refusing housing based on racial restrictions • Parmalee v Morris,1922: upheld racially restrictive covenants • Sipes v McGhee, 1947: Led to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that states could not enforce racially restrictive covenants

  13. The Michigan Supreme Court made powerful decisions, promoting change or maintaining the status quo, and whether positive or negative the Court has an undeniable impact on our lives. The cases chosen represent medley of the Court’s work Historically, the Court reflected the conservative beliefs of Midwestern Michigan society Ramifications

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