Ho Ah Kow v. Nunan (1879)
n. . . and where an
ordinance, though general in its terms, only operates upon a special race,
sect or class, it being universally understood that it is to be
enforced only against that race, sect or class, we may justly
conclude that it was the intention of the body adopting it that it
should only have such operation, and treat it accordingly. We may
take notice of the limitation given to the general terms of an ordinance
by its practical construction as a fact in its history