The court case of Holladay v. Kennard (1870) had a significant impact on the interpretation of the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. In this case, the Supreme Court held that a common carrier's negligence in the loss or destruction of goods does not automatically make them liable for damages. Instead, the court ruled that the carrier must use due diligence to prevent such loss or destruction, and their negligence must have contributed to the loss in order for them to be held liable.
The significance of this case lies in its impact on the interpretation of the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. The court's decision established that the state's power to regulate commerce does not extend to the regulation of interstate commerce, as that power is granted to Congress by the Commerce Clause of the US Constitution. This decision reinforced the idea that the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause only applies to state laws and actions, and not to federal laws or actions.
Furthermore, the case of Holladay v. Kennard set a precedent for future cases involving negligence and liability in the context of common carriers. It established that common carriers have a duty to use due diligence to prevent loss or destruction of goods, and that their negligence must have contributed to the loss in order for them to be held liable. This precedent has been cited in numerous subsequent cases, solidifying its impact on the interpretation of the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause.