Document: 377 U.S. 218 84 S.Ct. 1226 12 L.Ed.2d 256 Cocheyse J. GRIFFIN, etc., et al., Petitioners,v.COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD OF PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY al. No. 592. Argued March 30, 1964. Decided May 25, [Syllabus from pages 218-219 intentionally omitted] Robert L. Carter, New York City, for petitioners. Solicitor Gen. Archibald Cox the United States, as amicus curiae, by special leave of Court. Segar Gravatt, Blackstone, Va., and R. D. McIlwaine, III, Richmond, respondents. Mr. Justice BLACK delivered opinion 1 This litigation began in 1951 when a group Negro school children living Prince Edward County, Virginia, filed complaint States District Court Eastern Virginia alleging that they had been denied admission to public schools attended white charging laws requiring such segregation complainants equal protection violation Fourteenth Amendment. On 17, 1954, ten years ago, we held did deny protection. Brown v. Board Education, 347 48 , 74 686, 98 L.Ed. 873 (1954). 31, 1955, after reargument on nature relief, remanded this case, along with others heard it, Courts enter orders 'necessary proper admit (complainants) racially nondiscriminatory basis all deliberate speed * *.' 349 294, 301, 75 753, 757, 99 1083 (1955). 2 Efforts desegregate County's met resistance. In 1956 Section 141 Constitution was amended authorize General Assembly local governing bodies appropriate funds assist students go or nonsectarian private schools, addition those owned State locality.1 The session enacted legislation close any where colored enrolled together, cut off state pay tuition grants non-sectarian extend retirement benefits teachers newly created schools.2 closing mixed cutting later invalidated Supreme Appeals which these violated Constitution. Harrison Day, 200 Va. 439, 106 S.E.2d 636 (1959). April 1959 abandoned 'massive resistance' desegregation turned instead what called 'freedom choice' program. repealed rest legislation, well grant law January 1959, new program.3 At same time Virginia's compulsory attendance laws4 made matter option.5 3 June Fourth Circuit directed Federal (1) enjoin discriminatory practices County (2) require School take 'immediate steps' toward admitting without regard race high 'in term beginning September 1959,' (3) make plans admissions elementary race. Allen 266 F.2d 507, 511 (C.A.4th Cir. 1959). Having early resolved would not operate 'wherein are taught together,' Supervisors refused levy taxes 1959—1960 year, explaining were 'confronted court decree requires county color.'6 As result, county's reopen fall have remained closed ever since, although every other continued under State's system draw provided purpose. A group, Foundation, formed and, having built its own plant, has operation since schools. An offer set up rejected, Negroes preferring continue le al battle desegregated formal education 1963, federal, state, authorities cooperated classes conducted whites buildings county. During year Foundation's supported entirely contributions, but 1960 adopted program making child, regardless race, eligible $125, $150 attend outside his locality, also authorizing localities provide their grants.7 then passed an ordinance providing $100, so each child attending received total $225 if $250 school. 1960—1961 major source financial support Foundation indirect form grants, paid time, allowing property tax credits 25% contributions 'nonprofit, school' 4 1961 petitioners here supplemental complaint, adding parties seeking respondents refusing efficient free payment help excluded account Court, finding 'the end result action taken body (Board Supervisors) designed preserve separation races County,' enjoined paying giving long closed.8 198 F.Supp. 497, 503 (D.C.E.D.Va.1961). pass whether could be abstained pending determination courts constitution required kept open. Later, however, waiting decide question,9 may avoid effect land interpreted while Commonwealth permits remain open at expense taxpayers.' 207 349, 355 (D.C.E.D.Va.1962). Soon thereafter, declaratory judgment suit brought done this, asked abstain further proceedings until run course, declined; it repeated order Edward's might reversed, Judge Bell dissenting, holding should await th validity credits, Griffin 322 332 1963). We granted certiorari, stating:10 5 'In view delay case our decision importance questions presented, certiorari put down argument 1964, merits, comparable situations final Appeals.' 375 391, 392, 400, 401, 11 409. 6 For reasons stated, agree that, circumstances here, counties being maintained class represent guaranteed I. 7 Before reaching substantial shall note several procedural matters urged motion dismiss July 7, instituted. Had grounds assigned, one more Bell, dissenting Appeals, referred inordinate delays already occurred protracted F.2d, 344. separately assigned dismissal. 8 (a) It is contended presented different cause original complaint. pleading add rely good part transactions, occurrences, events happened begun. But transactions alleged continued, persistent efforts circumvent 1955 operate, maintain, segregated racial basis. challenged admittedly public. charged still using funds, ordered cases. thus merely old arising out desire opportunity state-supported afforded people, thwarted before combination Rule 15(d) Rules Civil Procedure plainly amendments cover happening suit,11 follows, persons participating added necessary. Such within basic aim rules pleadings means achieve orderly fair administration justice. 9 (b) When originally 1951, broadly unconstitutionally color. challenge three judges 28 U.S.C. § 2281. invalid denial Amendment fashion abandonment 'with speed,' three-judge ceased function, single district judge took over. Respondents contend erroneously issues raised now vacating remanding completely trial judges. reject contention. Rorick Comm'rs Everglades Drainage Dist., 307 208, 212, 59 808, 810, 83 1242 (1939), said, interpreting statute (then Judicial Code 1911, amended, (1934 ed.) 380): 10 "Despite generality language' Section, settled doctrine only involving 'a general application' affecting 'particular municipality district' can invoke 266.' While constitutional duty officials repercussion over Court's county, nevertheless true attacked something commanded do—close give schools—but rather acquiescence cooperation undertaken do volition, binding Virginia. Even though actions involved, comes us, concerns state-wide situation unique County. hold err adjudicating present controversy. (c) against State, forbidden Eleventh Amendment, therefore dismissed. depriving rights Ex parte Young, 209 123, 441, 52 714 (1908), suits them invading 13 (d) argued passing conduct complained held, 332, has, cases deemed appropriate, course followed approved followed. E.g., Railroad Comm'n Texas Pullman Co., 312 496, 61 643, 85 971 (1941); Louisiana Power & Light Co. City Thibodaux, 360 79 1070, 1058 344—345, abstention. first place, upon respect here. Griffin, 204 650, 133 565 (1963). quite independently imperatively call now. delayed resistance level, lawsuits. plaintiffs doubtless age. There too much deliberation enough enforcing supra, children. accordingly reverse Appeals' abstention, proceed merits. II. 14 (1963), upheld valid who concessions 'an option schools.' 671, S.E.2d, 580. accept definitive authoritative law, cannot court's holding, based largely 15 Since one: Edward. However, there no rule counties, must treated alike; Equal Protection Clause relates 'between than between areas.' Salsburg Maryland, 346 545, 551, 280, 283, 281 Indeed, showing differently enough, more, show Kotch River Port Pilot Comm'rs, 330 552, 556, 67 910, 912, 91 1093 (1947). govern. Skinner Oklahoma ex rel. Williamson, 316 535, 539—540, 62 1110, 1112, 86 1655 (1942). 16 applied, unquestionably treats way counties. none all; Closing bears heavily accredited attend, very recently available even temporary expedient. Apart expedient, children, which, designated private, beneficiaries support. 17 wide discretion deciding statewide certain legislature 'having mind needs desires each.' U.S., S.Ct., 284. wish suggest, Maryland Salsburg, why ought like another. 553—554, 284—285. record clearer operated place assistance, reason, reason only: ensure, through measures not, circumstances, Whatever nonracial abandon object one, opposition qualify constitutional.12 18 Hall St. Helena Parish Board, 197 649 (D.C.E.D.La.1961), changed 'private' way, buildings, furnishings, money, supervision Id., 651. addition, 'closed,' board 'charged responsibility furnishing lunches, transportation, grants-in-aid Ibid. affirmed invalidating 368 515, 82 529, 521 (1962). plan worked ways, plain both accomplish thing: perpetuation operating directly indirectly funds. See Cooper Aaron, 358 1, 78 1401, 1409, (1958). Either works laws. Accordingly, meanwhile contributing III. 19 come question kind necessary discrimination practiced authority That relief quick effective. defendant Supervisors, Treasurer, Division Superintendent Schools Education Education. All duties relate financing, supervision, aid functioning exemptions processing applications closed. doubt power enforce discontinuance practices. established vindicate federally rights. Lincoln Luning, 363, 33 766 (1890); Kennecott Copper Corp. Tax Comm'n, 327 573, 579, 66 745, 748, 90 862 (1946). injunction credits13 essential parts program, successful far, deprive advantages enjoyed prevent discrimination, exercise theirs raise adequate reopen, maintain 20 gave notice consider purpose reopened 1962. day passed, remand, therefore, find order. assure will longer them. mere 'deliberate speed' out, phrase justify denying 21 affirmed, directions guarantee get given And, becomes end, so. ordered. 22 Judgment directions. 23 CLARK HARLAN, disagree federal empowered reopening otherwise join opinion. originated 1930 lost fathers World War expanded Almond 419, 89 851 amended. Va.Code, 22—188.3 seq.; 51—111.38:1. Acts, Ex.Sess., c. 53. §§ 22—251 22—275. 22—275.1 22—275.25. Board's explanation 3, refusal money carry was: 'The confronted Knowing people do, know possible terms principle atmosphere conducive educational benefit people.' 22—115.29 22—115.35. meant schools; F.Supp., 504. had, mandamus proceeding instituted petitioners, statutes impose mandatory 203 321, 124 227 meantime, compel 'Upon party may, reasonable just, permit him serve setting forth occurrences date sought supplemented.' Fed.Rules Civ.Proc. 15(d). 'But saying vitality principles allowed yield simply because disagreement them.' 300, 756, decree, credit ordinance.

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