The Slaveryhouse Case in Louisiana

Louisiana state legislators had been bribed outright by the city livestock landing and slaughterhouse company to be awarded the sole right to operate in the city. A group of butchers who had been left out of the corporation filed suit in federal court. They claimed that by denying them the property right to practice their livelihood without state interference, Louisiana had violated their rights under the 13th amendment. In 1873 a 5-4 majority ruled in favor of the state of Louisiana and against the butchers.