"The framers of the constitution employed words in their natural sense; and, where they are plain and clear, resort to collateral aids to interpretation is unnecessary, and cannot be indulged in to narrow or enlarge the text; but where there is ambiguity or doubt, or where two views may well be entertained, contemporaneous and subsequent practical construction is entitled to the greatest weight." | by: | |
Source: | delivering the opinion of the court in MCPHERSON v. BLACKER, 146 U.S. 1 (1892) |
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