What issue did the Munn v. Illinois case address relating to the Granger laws?

The Munn v. Illinois case addressed the issue of state regulation over certain businesses, particularly railroads and grain elevators. The Supreme Court upheld the ability of states to regulate businesses that were considered to be closely related to the public interest. This case was a significant ruling because it reinforced the idea that states could impose regulations on private businesses when those businesses impacted the public welfare. In the context of the Granger laws, which were enacted by farming communities to address unfair practices by railroad companies, this ruling demonstrated that states had the authority to intervene in and regulate industries that dominated essential services like transportation and grain storage. By recognizing the power of states to regulate businesses in this manner, the Munn v. Illinois decision supported the goals of the Granger movement to protect the economic interests of farmers against monopolistic practices.