In the case of In re Tampa Suburban Railroad Company, 1897, the U.S. Supreme Court was asked to determine whether a railroad company could be compelled by law to construct and maintain public crossings at street intersections along its line. The court ruled that it is within the power of states to require railway companies operating within their jurisdiction to provide safe and convenient crossings for public roads where necessary. This obligation extends even if such requirement results in some expense or inconvenience for the company. However, this does not mean that every demand made upon a railroad corporation must be complied with; each case should be evaluated on its own merits considering both public convenience and safety as well as corporate rights.

The dissenting opinion in the case of In re Tampa Suburban Railroad Company disagreed with the majority's interpretation of Florida law, arguing that it did not provide for a railroad company to be held liable for damages caused by its failure to maintain its tracks. The dissent argued that under Florida law, a railroad company is only required to keep its tracks in good repair and safe condition for public use. It further contended that there was no statutory provision or precedent holding a railroad company responsible for damage caused by neglect or mismanagement unless such negligence resulted in injury to persons using the railway. Therefore, according to this view, since there were no injuries reported due to poor track maintenance, Tampa Suburban Railroad Company should not have been found liable.