It was stipulated in Plessy vs. Ferguson (1896) that segregation was legal as long as all facilities were "separate but equal." Generally, facilities meant for African Americans were noticeably poorer. This did not only apply to drinking fountains and bathrooms, but also to schools, busses, restaurants, and stores. Although legally, all facilities were supposed to be equal, there was really no accountability for those who failed to provide what was required. After, 1877 when the Union Army pulled out of the south, the federal government kind of gave up on trying to enforce social justice legislation in the southern states for quite some time.