Cannon v. United States, 118 U.S. 355 (1886). · Go Syfert
Cannon v. United States, 118 U.S. 355 (1886). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
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cited 3× by 2 distinct cases, 2000–2012 · 2 courts · …is regarded as a fundamental political right, because preservative of all rights. ⚠ not in text Topic ↗
2,749 citation events (614 in the last 25 years) across 211 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Griffin v. N.C. State Bd. of Elections (ncctapp, 2025-04-04) · Strongest negative: United States v. Rivera (mad, 2001-07-09)
Treatment trajectory · 1911 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1911 1968 2026
Under fire — who is questioning this case
Citations from separate opinions of courts that could overrule this case. This is a warning signal, not a treatment change. The flag color above is unaffected.
Concurrence Department of Homeland Security v. Thuraissigiam (2020)
“Yick Wo , 118 U.S. at 369 , 6 S.Ct. 1064 .”
Concurrence Nieves v. Bartlett (2019)
“In Yick Wo v. Hopkins , 118 U.S. 356 , 6 S.Ct. 1064 , 30 L.Ed. 220 (1886), for example, San Francisco jailed many Chinese immigrants for operating laundries without permits but took no action against white persons guilty of the same infraction.”
Concurrence Shelby County v. Holder (2013)
“The VRA addresses the combination of race discrimination and the right to vote, which is "preservative of all rights." Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356 , 370, 6 S.Ct. 1064 , 30 L.Ed. 220 (1886).”
Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited "but see" United States v. Rivera
D. Mass. · 2001 · signal: but cf. · confidence high
But cf. Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356, 373-73 , 6 S.Ct. 1064 , 30 L.Ed. 220 (1886) (holding that racially disparate enforcement of a city’s criminal ordinance violates the Equal Protection clause).
discussed Cited "but see" Seamon v. Upham (2×)
E.D. Tex. · 1982 · signal: but see · confidence high
But see Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356 , 6 S.Ct. 1064 , 30 L.Ed. 220 (1886); Gomillion v. Lightfoot, 364 U.S. 339 , 81 S.Ct. 125 , 5 L.Ed.2d 110 (1960).
examined Cited as authority (quoted) Griffin v. N.C. State Bd. of Elections
N.C. Ct. App. · 2025 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
though not regarded as a strictly natural right, but as a privilege merely conceded by society, according to its will, under certain conditions, nevertheless is regarded as a fundamental political right, because preservative of all rights.
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) Louhghalam v. Trump
D. Mass. · 2017 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
universal in application, to all persons within the territorial jurisdiction, without regard to any differences of race, of color, or of nationality.
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) Hicks v. State
Ala. · 2014 · signal: see, e.g. · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
the fourteenth amendment to the constitution is not confined to the protection of citizens
examined Cited as authority (quoted) Shelby County, Ala. v. Holder (2×)
D.C. Cir. · 2012 · signal: see · quote attribution · 2 verbatim quotes · confidence high
is regarded as a fundamental political right, because preservative of all rights.
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) Fletcher v. Haas
D. Mass. · 2012 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
the fourteenth amendment to the constitution is not confined to the protection of citizens.
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) Bayo v. Napolitano
7th Cir. · 2010 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
the fourteenth amendment to the constitution is not confined to the protection of citizens.... provisions are universal in their application, to all persons within the territorial jurisdiction.
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) Kwai Fun Wong v. United States
9th Cir. · 2004 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
provisions are universal in their application, to all persons within the territorial jurisdiction, without regard to any differences of race, of color, or of nationality.
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) Kwai Fun Wong v. United States
9th Cir. · 2004 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
provisions are universal in their application, to all persons within the territorial jurisdiction, without regard to any differences of race, of color, or of nationality.
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) Gore v. Harris
Fla. · 2000 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
is regarded as a fundamental political right, because preservative of all rights.
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) United States v. City of Monroe, Ga.
M.D. Ga. · 1997 · signal: cf. · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
though not regarded strictly as a natural right, but as a privilege merely conceded by society ... is regarded as a fundamental political right, because preservative of all rights.
examined Cited as authority (quoted) Johnson v. Mortham (2×)
N.D. Fla. · 1996 · signal: see · quote attribution · 2 verbatim quotes · confidence high
the right to vote on an equal basis with other citizens is a fundamental right in a free society; indeed, in any viable form of representative government. it is preservative of all government rights.
examined Cited as authority (quoted) United States v. Rene Martin Verdugo-Urquidez (8×) also: Cited as authority (rule), Cited "see, e.g."
9th Cir. · 1988 · signal: see, e.g. · quote attribution · 2 verbatim quotes · confidence low
the fourteenth amendment ... is not confined to the protection of citizens.... provisions are universal in their application, to all persons within the territorial jurisdiction .
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) Randolph Mahone v. Addicks Utility District of Harris County
5th Cir. · 1988 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence low
he unequal application of a state law, fair on its face, may act as a denial of equal protection.
examined Cited as authority (rule) Democratic Party v. Jacobsen (3×)
Mont. · 2024 · confidence medium
Nearly a century before Reynolds—and two years after our 1884 Constitution was adopted with the language that still exists today—the United States Supreme Court referred to “the political franchise of voting” as a “fundamental political right, because preservative of all rights” and declared that the Legislature had power to reasonably and uniformly regulate elections to secure and facilitate the exercise of the right as long as “under the pretence and color of regulating, [it did not] subvert or injuriously restrain the right itself.” Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356 , 370–7…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Greater Birmingham Ministries v. Secretary of State for the State of Alabama
11th Cir. · 2021 · confidence medium
Veasey, 830 F.3d at 235–36 (footnote omitted); see also Hallmark Devs., Inc. v. Fulton County, 466 F.3d 1276, 1283 (11th Cir. 2006) (“Because explicit statements of racially discriminatory motivation are decreasing, circumstantial evidence must often be used to establish the requisite intent.” (quotation marks omitted)). 33 USCA11 Case: 18-10151 Date Filed: 06/01/2021 Page: 34 of 34 right, because [it is] preservative of all rights.” Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356, 370 , 6 S. Ct. 1064, 1071 (1886).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Michael Thomas Goodwin v. Iowa District Court for Davis County
Iowa · 2019 · confidence medium
Nothing in our training as judges qualifies us for that task, and nothing in Article III gives us that authority.”); Roper, 543 U.S. at 607 , 125 S. Ct. at 1217 (O’Connor, J., dissenting) (“[T]his Court should not substitute its own ‘inevitably subjective judgment’ on how best to resolve this difficult moral question for the judgments of the Nation’s democratically elected legislatures.” (quoting Thompson v. Oklahoma, 487 U.S. 815, 854 , 108 S. Ct. 2687, 2709 (1988) (O’Connor, J., concurring))); id. at 608, 125 S. Ct. at 1217 (Scalia, J., dissenting) (decrying the Court’s dec…
cited Cited as authority (rule) Democratic Executive Committee of Florida v. Laurel M. Lee
11th Cir. · 2019 · confidence medium
The right of suffrage is “a fundamental political right,” Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356, 370 , 6 S. Ct. 1064, 1071 (1886), protected by the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Democratic Executive Committee of Florida v. Laurel M. Lee
11th Cir. · 2019 · confidence medium
The right of suffrage is “a fundamental political right,” Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356, 370 , 6 S. Ct. 1064, 1071 (1886), protected by the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State of Iowa v. Martha Aracely Martinez
Iowa · 2017 · confidence medium
Likewise, in the area of discrimination, the Court has long held, Though the [state] law itself be fair on its face, and impartial in appearance, yet, if it is applied and administered by public authority with an evil eye and an unequal hand, so as practically to make unjust and illegal discriminations between persons in similar circumstances, material to their rights, the denial of equal justice is still within the prohibition of the constitution. 38 Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356 , 373–74, 6 S. Ct. 1064, 1073 (1886).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Amended August 15, 2017 State of Iowa v. Martha Aracely Martinez
Iowa · 2017 · confidence medium
Likewise, in the area of discrimination, the Court has long held, Though the [state] law itself be fair on its face, and impartial in appearance, yet, if it is applied and administered by public authority with an evil eye and an unequal hand, so as practically to make unjust and illegal discriminations between persons in similar circumstances, material to their rights, the denial of equal justice is still within the prohibition of the constitution. 39 Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356 , 373–74, 6 S. Ct. 1064, 1073 (1886).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State of Iowa v. Martha Aracely Martinez
Iowa · 2017 · confidence medium
Likewise, in the area of discrimination, the Court has long held, Though the [state] law itself be fair on its face, and impartial in appearance, yet, if it is applied and administered by public authority with an evil eye and an unequal hand, so as practically to make unjust and illegal discriminations between persons in similar circumstances, material to their rights, the denial of equal justice is still within the prohibition of the constitution. 38 Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356 , 373–74, 6 S. Ct. 1064, 1073 (1886).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Amended June 16, 2017 State of Iowa v. Martha Aracely Martinez
Iowa · 2017 · confidence medium
Likewise, in the area of discrimination, the Court has long held, Though the [state] law itself be fair on its face, and impartial in appearance, yet, if it is applied and administered by public authority with an evil eye and an unequal hand, so as practically to make unjust and illegal discriminations between persons in similar circumstances, material to their rights, the denial of equal justice is still within the prohibition of the constitution. 39 Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356 , 373–74, 6 S. Ct. 1064, 1073 (1886).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) William Hayden v. County of Nassau, United States of America and Nassau County Guardians Association, Defendants-Intervenors-Appellees (2×) also: Cited "see"
2d Cir. · 1999 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
Cf. Yick Wo, 118 U.S. at 373-74 , 6 S.Ct. at 1072-73 (finding an equal protection violation where a facially neutral ordinance was dis-criminatorily applied to Chinese businesses). 3.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Puglisi v. Underhill Park Taxpayer Assoc.
S.D.N.Y. · 1996 · confidence medium
On § 1981, the Court notes; “the statute has long been viewed as prohibiting certain forms of discrimination based on race, see, e.g., Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356, 369, 374 , 6 S.Ct. 1064, 1070, 1073 , 30 L.Ed. 220 (1886), and its reference to rights enjoyed by white citizens establishes the ‘racial character of the rights being protected,’ McDonald v. Santa Fe Trail Transp.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Heller v. Foulston (In Re Heller)
D. Kan. · 1993 · confidence medium
Debtors also cite Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356 , 6 S.Ct. 1064 , 30 L.Ed. 220 (1886), which appears to declare a similar rule; *662 that case proscribes criminal statutes which are “intended to confer, and actually do confer, not a discretion to be exercised upon a consideration of the circumstances of each case, but a naked and arbitrary power to give or withhold consent” and which are “purely arbitrary, and acknowledge ... neither guidance nor constraint,” id 118 U.S. at 366, 367 , 6 S.Ct. at 1069, 1069 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In Re Higginbotham
Bankr. N.D. Okla · 1990 · confidence medium
Debtors also cite Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356 , 6 S.Ct. 1064 , 30 L.Ed. 220 (1886), which appears to declare a similar rule; that case proscribes criminal statutes which are “intended to confer, and actually do confer, not a discretion to be exercised upon a consideration of the circumstances of each case, but a naked and arbitrary power to give or withhold consent” and which are “purely arbitrary, and acknowledge ... neither guidance nor constraint,” id. 118 U.S. at 366, 367 , 6 S.Ct. at 1068, 1069 .
cited Cited as authority (rule) State v. Gettman
Wash. Ct. App. · 1989 · confidence medium
Ed. 220 , 6 S. Ct. 1064, 1073 (1886); Harman v. McNutt, 91 Wn.2d 126, 130 , 587 P.2d 537 (1978).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Albert v. Carovano
2d Cir. · 1988 · confidence medium
The statute has long been viewed as prohibiting certain forms of discrimination based on race, see, e.g., Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356, 369, 374 , 6 S.Ct. 1064, 1070, 1073 , 30 L.Ed. 220 (1886), and its reference to rights enjoyed by white citizens establishes the "racial character of the rights being protected," McDonald v. Santa Fe Trail Transp.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Albert v. Carovano
2d Cir. · 1988 · confidence medium
The statute has long been viewed as prohibiting certain forms of discrimination based on race, see, e.g., Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356, 369, 374 , 6 S.Ct. 1064, 1070, 1073 , 30 L.Ed. 220 (1886), and its reference to rights enjoyed by white citizens establishes the “racial character of the rights being protected,” McDonald v. Santa Fe Trail Transp.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Howard
N.C. Ct. App. · 1985 · confidence medium
We recognize that “[t]hough the law itself be fair on its face and impartial in appearance, yet, if it is applied and administered by public authority with an evil eye and an unequal hand, so as practically to make unjust and illegal discrimina-tions between persons in similar circumstances, material to their rights, the denial of equal justice is still within the prohibition of the Constitution.” Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356, 373-74 , 30 L.Ed. 220, 227 , 6 S.Ct. 1064, 1073 (1886).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Sirilan v. Castro
N. Mar. I. · 1984 · confidence medium
The questions we have to consider... therefore, are to be treated as Involving the rights of every citizen... equally with those of the strangers and aliens Who now invoke the jurisdiction of the court. 6 S.Ct. at 1070.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) George Searcy, Etc. v. Eugene C. Williams, Etc. (2×)
5th Cir. · 1981 · confidence medium
Id. at 358-359, 374 , 6 S.Ct. at 1065-1066, 1073 .
cited Cited as authority (rule) Hawaiian Dredging & Construction Corp. v. Guam Airport Authority
Super. Ct. Guam · 1980 · confidence medium
Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356, 369 , 6 S.Ct. 1064, 1070 (1886).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Wida v. Rosini
pactcomplnorthu · 1979 · confidence medium
“Though the law itself be fair on its face and impartial in appearance, yet, if it is applied and administered by public authority with an evil eye and an unequal hand, so as practically to make unjust and illegal discrimi-nations between persons in similar circumstances, the denial of equal justice is still within the prohibition of the Constitution.” Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356, 373-74 , 6 S.Ct. 1064, 1073 (1886).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Charles W. Olshock, Cross-Appellants v. Village of Skokie, Cross-Appellees (2×)
7th Cir. · 1976 · confidence medium
This may appear on the face of the action taken with respect to a particular class or person, cf. McFarland v. American Sugar Co., 241 U.S. 79, 86-7 , [ 36 S.Ct. 498, 501 , 60 L.Ed. 899 ] or it may only be shown by extrinsic evidence showing a discriminatory design to favor one individual or class over another not to be inferred from the action itself, Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356, 373-4 , [ 6 S.Ct. 1064, 1072, 1073 ], 30 L.Ed. 220 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Associated Industries of Alabama, Inc. v. State (2×)
Ala. Crim. App. · 1975 · confidence medium
This may appear on the face of the action taken with respect to a particular class or persons, cf. McFarland v. American Sugar Refining Co., 241 U.S. 79, 86, 87 , 36 S.Ct. 498, 501 , 60 L.Ed. 899 , or it may only be shown by extrinsic evidence showing a discriminatory design to favor one individual or class over another not to be inferred from the action itself, Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356, 373, 374 , 6 S.Ct. 1064, 1072, 1073 , 30 L.Ed. 220 .
cited Cited as authority (rule) Gozdanovic v. Civil Serv. Com'n for City of Pittsburgh, Pa.
W.D. Pa. · 1973 · confidence medium
Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356, 373, 374 [ 6 S.Ct. 1064, 1072, 1073 , 30 L.Ed. 220 ].
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Yanito v. Barber
D. Utah · 1972 · confidence medium
This may appear on the face of the action taken with respect to a particular class or person, cf. McFarland v. American Sugar Refining Co., 241 U.S. 79, 86, 87 , 36 S.Ct. 498, 501 , 60 L.Ed. 899 , or it may only be shown by extrinsic evidence showing a discriminatory design to favor one individual or class over another not to be inferred from the action itself, Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356, 373, 374 , 6 S.Ct. 1064, 1072, 1073 , 30 L.Ed. 220 . 321 U.S. at 8 , 64 S.Ct. at 401 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) O'HARA v. Mattix
W.D. Mich. · 1966 · confidence medium
This may appear on the face of the action taken with respect to a particular class or person, cf. McFarland v. American Sugar Refining Co., 241 U.S. 79, 86, 87 , 36 S.Ct. 498, 501 , 60 L.Ed. 899 , or it may only be shown by extrinsic evidence showing a discriminatory design to favor one individual or class over another not to be inferred from the action itself, Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356, 373, 374 , 6 S.Ct. 1064, 1072, 1073 , 30 L.Ed. 220 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Henry Hughes v. Robert A. Heinze, Warden, Folsom State Prison
9th Cir. · 1959 · confidence medium
This may appear on the face of the action taken with respect to a particular class, or person, cf. McFarland v. American Sugar Refining Co., 241 U.S. 79, 86-87 , 36 S.Ct. 498, 501 , 60 L.Ed. 899 , or it may only be shown by extrinsic evidence showing a discriminatory design to favor one individual or class over another not to be inferred from the action itself, Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356, 373-374 , 6 S.Ct. 1064, 1072, 1073 , 30 L.Ed. 220 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) City of New Orleans v. Levy (2×)
La. · 1957 · confidence medium
This may appear on the face of the action taken with respect to a particular class or person, of McFarland v. American Sugar Refining Co., 241 U.S. 79, 86, 87 , 36 S.Ct. 498, 501 , 60 L.Ed. 899 [904], or it may only be shown by extrinsic evidence showing a discriminatory design to favor one individual or class over another not to be inferred from the action itself, Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356, 373, 374 , 6 S.Ct. 1064, 1072, 1073 , 30 L.Ed. 220 [227, 228].
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Morgan v. Sylvester
S.D.N.Y. · 1954 · confidence medium
Co., 241 U.S. 79, 86-7 [ 36 S.Ct. 498, 501 , 60 L.Ed. 899 ], or it may only be shown by extrinsic evidence showing a discriminatory design to favor one individual or class over another not to be inferred from the action itself, Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356, 373-4 [ 6 S.Ct. 1064, 1072, 1073 , 30 L.Ed. 220 ].
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Westminster School Dist. of Orange County v. Mendez (2×)
9th Cir. · 1947 · confidence medium
This may appear on the face of the action taken with respect to a particular class or person, cf. McFarland v. American Sugar Refining Co., 241 U.S. 79, 86, 87 , 36 S.Ct. 498, 501 , 60 L.Ed. 899 , or it may only be shown by extrinsic evidence showing a discriminatory design to favor one individual or class over another not to be inferred from the action itself, Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356, 373, 374 , 6 S.Ct. 1064, 1072, 1073 , 30 L.Ed. 220 . * * *" (Emphasis supplied.) In the Los Angeles telephone case the sole finding of fact was that the city authorities had established a telephone rate…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Zenith Radio Corporation
N.D. Ill. · 1926 · confidence medium
No language is more worthy of frequent and thoughtful consideration than these words of Mr. Justice Matthews, speaking for the Supreme Court in Tick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U. S. 356, 369 , 6 S. Ct. 1064, 1071 ( 30 L.
cited Cited "see" Christa Mcauliffe Intermediate School Pto v. De Blasio
unknown court · 2019 · signal: see · confidence high
See Yick Wo v. Hopkins , 118 U.S. 356 , 373-74, 6 S.Ct. 1064 , 30 L.Ed. 220 (1886).
cited Cited "see" Davila v. N. Reg'l Joint Police Bd.
W.D. Pa. · 2019 · signal: see · confidence high
See Yick Wo v. Hopkins , 118 U.S. 356 , 374, 6 S.Ct. 1064 , 30 L.Ed. 220 (1886).
discussed Cited "see" Copeland v. Vance
2d Cir. · 2018 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Armstrong , 517 U.S. 456 , 464-65, 116 S.Ct. 1480 , 134 L.Ed.2d 687 (1996) ("A defendant may demonstrate that the administration of a criminal law is 'directed so exclusively against a particular class of persons with a mind so unequal and oppressive' that the system of prosecution amounts to 'a practical denial' of equal protection of the law." (ellipsis omitted) (quoting Yick Wo v. Hopkins , 118 U.S. 356 , 373, 6 S.Ct. 1064 , 30 L.Ed. 220 (1886) ) ).
discussed Cited "see" Nguyen v. Louisiana State Board of Cosmetology (2×)
M.D. La. · 2017 · signal: see · confidence high
See 118 U.S. at 358 , 6 S.Ct. 1064 .
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Cannon
v.
United States
Supreme Court of the United States.
May 10, 1886.
118 U.S. 355
Mr. Franklin S. Richards, one of the counsel for plaintiff in error in Snow v. United States, ante 346, was counsel for plaintiff in error in this case.
Blatchford.
Cited by 7 opinions  |  Published
11 passages pin-cited by 13 cases
Pinpoint authority: #10,121 of 633,719
Citer courts: Ninth Circuit (4) · D.C. Circuit (2) · N.D. Florida (2) · D. Massachusetts (2) · Supreme Court of Alabama (1) · Fifth Circuit (1) · Seventh Circuit (1)
Mr. Justice Blatcheord

delivered the opinion of the court.

The decision in Snow v. United States, ante, p. 346, dismissing the writs of error for want of- jurisdiction, shows that there was no jurisdiction of the writ of error in this case. As the decision reported in 116 U. S. 55, was made at the present term, the judgment rendered on the 14th of December, 1885, affirming the judgment of the Supreme Court of the Territory of Utah, is set aside and vacated ; the mandate is recalled; and

The writ of error is dismissed.