Supreme Court Case: Muller V. Oregon

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The link above is a primary source over “The "Brandeis Brief" from Muller v. Oregon (1908).” Muller vs Oregon was one of the most important U.S. Supreme Court cases of the Progressive Era. Going into this case, Muller issue was, “is a state law setting a maximum workday for women constitutional?” Muller vs The State of Oregon, 208 U.S. 412 (1908) was argued on January 5, 1908 and ending on February 24, 1908. Curt Muller was a laundry mat owner in Portland, Oregon who was charged with violating an Oregon law that strictly set a restricted maximum of ten hours a day for a women employee to work. This was specifically any women working in a type of laundry facility or any type of factory. This law was passed back in Oregon in 1903. Muller made …show more content…

This then led to Muller suggesting that maybe the state of Oregon is over stepping their own boundaries because according to the 14th amendment they have no say in the matter. The State of Oregon states that the state law could interfere with the amendments “liberty to contract” because the interference can be a causation to protect the safety of the female workers. The Supreme Court defined women as a class needing protection based on their role in society. The Supreme Court also points out the weakness of a woman and how they rely on men for support. After a long debate the Supreme Court unanimously 9-0 decided that Muller was guilty. Because of this case, this lead to better work protection under state law for not only women but children as well. It also fought culture stereotypes of the weaker sex. Muller vs The State of Oregon was related to the labor movement in which women can now feel safer and more protected under the state laws and regulation. With women now planning a more noticeable and important role in factories and laundry mats it was important that their safety and protection is a key point in the working