Head money

A name popularly applied to a tax on aliens landing in the United States under U. S. Rev. Stat. 1 Supp. 370. Such tax by a state, is unconstitutional; Henderson V. New York, 92 U. S. 259, 23 L. Ed. 543; but as a federal regulation of commerce it is valid; Edye v. Robertson, 112 U. S. 580, 5 Sup. Ct. 247, 28 L. Ed. 798. The act of March 3, 1903, fixed the tax at two dollars for each immigrant. See Immigbation.

A sum of money reckoned at a fixed amount for each head (person) in a designated Class. Particularly
(1) a capitation or poll tax.
(2) A bounty offered by the laws of the United States for each person on board an enemy's ship or vessel, at the commencement of a naval engagement, which shall be sunk qr destroyed by a ship or vessel of the United States of equal or inferior force, the same to be divided among the officers and crew in the same manner as prize money. In re Farragut, 7 D. C. 97. A similar reward is offered by the British statutes.
(3) The tax or duty imposed by act of congress of Aug. 3, 1882, on owners of steamships and sailing vessels for every immigrant brought into the United States. Head Money Cases, 112 U. S. 580, 5 Sun. Ot. 247, 28 L. Ed. 798.
(4) A bounty or reward pnid to one who pursues and kills a bsndit or outlaw and produces his head as evidence; the offer of such a reward being popularly called "putting a price on his head."

Defined under Head in Black's Law Dictionary.