The U.S. Supreme Court case Wheeling and Belmont Bridge Company v. Wheeling Bridge Company in 1890 revolved around a dispute between two bridge companies over the right to build and operate bridges across the Ohio River at Wheeling, West Virginia. The plaintiff, Wheeling and Belmont Bridge Company, argued that the defendant's bridge obstructed navigation on the river which was against federal law governing interstate commerce. The court ruled in favor of the plaintiff stating that any structure causing obstruction to navigable rivers violated federal law unless Congress approved it explicitly or implicitly by its actions or lack thereof. This decision reinforced Congressional authority over interstate commerce including navigation on major waterways.

The dissenting opinion in the Wheeling and Belmont Bridge Company v. Wheeling Bridge Company case argued that the majority's decision to allow a bridge, which obstructed navigation on the Ohio River, was incorrect. The dissenters believed that this ruling violated federal law governing navigable waters and infringed upon Congress' power to regulate interstate commerce. They contended that allowing such obstructions could potentially lead to numerous similar structures being built along important waterways, severely hampering trade and transportation across state lines. Furthermore, they expressed concern about setting a dangerous precedent where private interests could supersede public rights without proper legislative approval or oversight.