Document: 359 U.S. 255 79 S.Ct. 746 3 L.Ed.2d 789 UNITED STATES of America, Appellant,v.George Donald SHIREY. No. 72. Argued Jan. 19, 1959. Decided April 20, Mr. Malcolm Anderson, Washington, D.C., for appellant. Donn I. Cohen, York, Pa., appellee. Justice FRANKFURTER delivered the opinion Court. 1 On July 23, 1954, an information was filed in District Court Middle Pennsylvania charging appellee with a violation 18 U.S.C. § 214, U.S.C.A. 214 (originally Act December 11, 1926, 44 Stat. 918). That statute provides: 2 'Whoever pays or offers promises any money thing value, to person, firm, corporation consideration use promise influence procure appointive office place under United States shall be fined not more than $1,000 imprisoned one year, both.' The alleged that had offered S. Walter Stauffer, member Congress from contribute year Republican Party Stauffer's postmastership Pennsylvania. granted motion dismiss failure state facts sufficient constitute offense against States. 168 F.Supp. 382. Government appealed directly this Court, 3731, and we noted probable jurisdiction, 358 806, 22, 53, determine whether allegations constituted 214.1 4 We turn first language statute. There are alternative constructions its language. One sensible reading is say even though ultimate recipient money, Stauffer (which it plainly was) his influence. Since 'person,' covers offense. It may urged although made him. word 'to' immediately follows words 'money value' 'promises,' possible read as requiring value 'person, corporation' which describes. But either construction classic three-party case: e.g., A tells X he will give Y if get him job. Under second influence; standard third-party beneficiary situation. only difficulty context case necessity finding 'person fi rm, corporation,' those used legal entity. amorphous group individuals acts can act through persons. Its funds received managed by Certainly 'person' broad enough include Party, since content manifest purpose confirm, see, such construction, would unjustifiably contract law withdraw gifts scope.2 Thus, no matter how read, clear—its terms cover case. Shirey's endeavor purchase himself has been interdicted Congress. Awkwardness ambiguity, nor do defined multiple meanings, each satisfied information, want definiteness. 5 Not does compulsion within statutory framework seem clear, but history enactment powerfully reaffirm meaning yielded bill introduced Committee Report stated: 6 'This seeks punish sale public offices. Certain Members have brought attention House both speeches on theflo statements before Judiciary grave situation, disclosing corruption connection postal appointments Mississippi South Carolina. believed prevent corrupt practices patronage future.' H.R.Rep. 1366, 69th Cong., 1st Sess. 7 deals very kind situation gave rise provision scrutiny. In years preceding legislation members referred contributions party treasuries campaign funds, well direct payments charge patronage, among methods obtaining postmasterships.3 See, 65 Cong.Rec. 1408—1413. These revelations floor Congress, disclosed authoritative enactment, indicate aim proscribe political parties return Indeed form payment major concern cannot infer expressed self-defeating terms.4 8 Statutes, including penal enactments, inert exercises literary composition. Thy re instruments government, construing them 'the general important aid rule grammar formal logic lay down.' v. Whitridge, 197 135, 143, 25 406, 408, 49 L.Ed. 696. This so because embedded always pedantically words. See Wurzbach, 280 396, 399, 50 167, 168, 74 508. Statutory meaning, remembered, felt demonstrated, see Johnson, 221 488, 496, 31 627, 55 823, or, Judge Learned Hand put it, art interpretation proliferation purpose.' Brooklyn Nat. Corp. Commissioner Internal Revenue, Cir., 157 F.2d 450, 451. ascertaining remember elastic term scientific put, describe legislative process. crude practical process adaptation ordinary citizen means end, except when concerns technical problems beyond ken average man. 9 Applying these generalities immediate occasion, clear terms, history, coalesce validates Shirely.5 evil sought check mischief wrought what proscribed same transaction triangular two involved.6 incredible suppose meant prohibit Shirey giving passed latter fund, outside congressional prohibition securing deposit Party's fund. finessing heretofore allowed construed. Mosley, 238 383, 35 904, 59 1355, Saylor, 322 385, 64 1101, 88 1341. 10 judgment reversed. 11 Reversed. 12 DOUGLAS, concurring. 13 argument requires other person who 'to procure' 'appointive office' frivolous. shows evils acted. I am also convinced moved well—payment 'influence office.' abuse appointing postmasters during Coolidge administration occasion law; then now (if believed) offices sometimes went party, politician. As Congressman Stevenson, later measure House, said answering question gets paid office': 14 'Either goes into pocket pockets machine coffers Party. If does, most blatant defiance civil service ever hardihood over, disgraceful Teapot Dome proposition day.' 1410. 15 evils. 16 felt, my dissents show (see Classic, 313 299, 331, 61 1031, 1045, 85 1368; Rosenberg States, 346 273, 310, 73 1152, 1170, 97 1607; & P Trucking Co., 121, 127, 203, 207, 165, construed criminal resolve doubts favor citizen. principle—as highly preferred government laws—does here. To hold conduct charged find ambiguities obvious face legislation, justifiably imputed history. inclusion original version 215 limiting intended narrower scope section 214. similarly narrowed. 17 Accordingly join HARLAN, whom BLACK, WHITTAKER, STEWART join, dissenting. 19 Government's primary contention offer make 'thing ignoring contention, appears believe supportable. holds, however, here involved nevertheless states theories, (1) (a theory advanced Government), (2) 'person.' light proper regard principle essentially ambiguous strictly construed, agree 20 Dealing principal bypasses, direct, tangible benefit initial problem, therefore, decide sufficiently embrace might inducement made. part sheds clarifying problem. 21 Title originally enacted (44 918) desiged 'punish offices.' Section 'seller' opposed 'purchaser,' 1948 codification became paragraph 215, 215.1 provided: 22 'It unlawful solicit receive anyone whatsoever, contribution, personal emolument, sum support, influence, support payee, behalf paying States.' (Emphasis added.) 23 think plain reached solicited, contribution party. circumstances 'payee' solicitor, promised. And solicitor's 'valuable' sense induce exert 'payee,' extremely unconventional indefinite intangible benefits flow another, contemplated indirect should considered sense. 24 Confirmation view found letter Attorney General Clark written Senate February 1946, amendment 918 proposed deal solicitation fees private employment agencies referring persons federal openings. contrasting provisions existing emoluments 'on solicitor himself.'2 1951, 320. effect merely add present section.3 did disturb alone relevant 'use influence' context, which, formerly stood 918, already indicated. 26 Revisers, carrying over preent Code omitted expressly restricted where promised.4 apparent omission work substantive change statute.5 must their they require conclusion impact receipt compensation * himself.'6 27 Given conclusion, once strongly urged, effort avoid Court's holding specific mention 'political contribution' implied exclusion sections reciprocal pari materia. agree. slightest indication sparse 'purchase' 'sale' different scope, reason reasonably difference suggested us.7 soliciting covered (as concede so), individual solicited would, promising become guilty crime holds). For surely could less eager reach officials attempts take advantage corruption. just treasury converse offering payable party's treasury, 214.8 28 considerations, were right Conduct wrong going Entirely apart remarkable pay Y, claimed financial relationship, X. there X, perform (pay Y) rather involving rendered criteria met, be. 29 My makes unnecessary whether, further contends considerable characterized 'amorphous individuals' fits term, particularly saw fit explicitly references 'firm' 'corporation' secure entities.9 'of payee' explicit implicit 214—that 'influence' promised paid.10 appellee, brief stands former information. 30 course true, argues, relatively subtle inducements contain seeds crudest bribery. 'it dangerous, indeed, carry statute, provisions, far enumerated equal atrocity, kindred character, enumerated.' Wiltberger, Wheat. 76, 96, 37. considerations discussed above unequivocally seen outlaw information.11 position respect here, event rejection principles Bell 349 81, 75 620, 99 905. affirm. charges follows: 'On about 5th day 1953, City Pennsylvania, jurisdiction George Shirey, June 25, 1948, c. 645, Sec. 1, 62 694, (18 214), Knowingly, Wilfully Unlawfully Member 19th Congressional donate fit, office, Postmaster Pennsylvania.' Whether particular includes body, corporation, association aided, possible, definitions. dictate body generally interpreted. aimed at prohibiting difficult conclude firms corporations organizations, jobs involvement greater companies. blind know abuses led treasuries, etc. Although mostly took local chairmen, etc., assume officer out itself, cashed officers outlawed. State Georgia Evans, 316 159, 972, 86 1346, decided Sherman Act, 15, allowing 'any person' bring treble damage action, action. earlier allow sue. reconciling cases pointed depended 'legislative environment,' differences Georgia. Ohio Helvering, 292 360, 54 725, 727, 78 1307, taxed 'persons' selling liquor. Person 'partnership, association, company, natural person.' taxed, saying 'depends upon found.' Stanley Schwalby, 147 508, 418, 422, 37 259, Texas limitations included thus claim politic corporate.' clearly calls Stevenson. 67 6419. Two before, describing 'corruption Carolina' refers, Stevenson said, response 'where finally home?': 'I know. doubt much executive committee, care goes. Either When 1926 (now coupled filing affidavit certain (This bill, changes wording, 21a, 21a.) Graham, introducing bills, said: 'They correlative. committee gentlemen proponents try unanimous consent consider bills together.' 10840. text 'correlative' 'Be enacted, hereafter appointed President, advice Senate, President alone, court law, head department, shall, days after effective date appointment, file Comptroller oath stating neither acting given, transferred, expectation hope receiving assistance appointment. 'Sec. 3. 'consideration' payment, distribution, gift, subscription, loan, advance, anything contract, promise, agreement, legally enforceable, deposit.' Ibid. amended, portions relevant—the last phrases 1—remain unchanged. York. truthfully true. fact sponsor declared correlative persuasive evidence impossible reviews judgments, arguments assailing seeking sustain them. Williams 382, 389, 92, 94, 42 509. review Criminal Appeals 1907 'The correctness depends supports Arguments invoked define our inquiry meaning. brings reasoning beside point. user similar restriction 1. shred statutes themselves way 'in materia.' fact, normal tell us 2, absence convincing congruent. look bribery graft U.S.C., wording Acts directed bribes, identical receipt. mean concern. Note 4, infra. wrote: 'Further, language, compensation, prohibited, whereas prohibits emolument himself.' General's S.Rep. 1036, 79th 2d Sess., carried series Reports embodying amendment. 80th Sess.; 7, 81st 3, 82d solicits receives aiding obtain name department agency fee secured $1,000, both. apply services pursuant request portion reads: receives, Reviser's refers time codification, class 'changes style.' noteworthy 'employment agency' three 18, contained precodification suggestion altered codification. supra. shown stylistic incorporating reference. argued controverted circumstance introduced, another 21a), affidavits described 'correlative.' reasonto imply identity between equally bears supplementary §§ 215. Indeed, broader reference mere 'assistance' 'influence.' not, course, suggest Congressman's fund without fall All cited involve entities—not 'amorphous' groups. Revisers recodification added nothing 752, derives various concerning official n o ffice Representatives some passage exclusively sellers seller unless utilized

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