In the case of Calumet Grain and Elevator Company v. Chicago in 1902, the U.S Supreme Court ruled on a dispute over property rights and compensation for land taken by eminent domain. The city of Chicago had seized waterfront property owned by Calumet to build a public harbor without providing just compensation as required under the Fifth Amendment's Takings Clause. The court held that while governments have broad powers to take private property for public use, they must provide fair payment to owners whose lands are expropriated. In this specific instance, it was determined that Chicago had not adequately compensated Calumet for its loss; therefore, violating their constitutional right under the Takings Clause. This ruling reinforced protections against unjust seizures of private properties by government entities.

In the dissenting opinion for Calumet Grain and Elevator Company v. Chicago, it was argued that the city of Chicago did not have a right to demand removal of obstructions in the river without compensation to those who would be affected by such actions. The dissenting justices believed that while public bodies had certain rights over navigable waters, these should not infrive upon private property rights without due process or just compensation under law. They contended that if a structure like an elevator is erected on private land adjacent to a navigable stream with permission from state authorities, its owners cannot be compelled at their own expense to remove it because it has become an obstruction due to changes in navigation practices or technology advancements. This view held that any action taken must respect both public interests and individual property rights as protected by constitutional provisions.