Document: 395 U.S. 285 89 S.Ct. 1720 23 L.Ed.2d 309 GASTON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, Appellant,v.UNITED STATES. No. 701. Argued April and 24, 1969. Decided June 2, Grady B. Stott, Gastonia, N.C., for appellant. Louis F. Claiborne, Washington, D.C., appellee. Mr. Justice HARLAN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The Voting Rights Act 1965 suspends use any test or device1 as a prerequisite to registering vote in election, State political subdivision which, on November 1, 1964, maintained device, which less than 50% residents voting age were registered that date voted 1964 presidential election.2 Suspension is automatic upon publication Federal Register determinations by Attorney General Director Census, respectively, these conditions apply particular governmental unit. If unit wishes reinstate it must bring suit against Government three-judge district court District Columbia prove 'that no such device has been used during five years preceding filing action purpose with effect denying abridging right account race color,' § 4(a). constitutionality provisions was upheld South Carolina v. Katzenbach, 383 301, 86 803, 15 769 (1966). 2 On March 29, 1966, Census published necessary respect appellant, Gaston County, North Carolina. Use State's literacy test3 within County thereby suspended. August 18, appellant brought this Court, making requisite averments seeking test. 3 United States opposed granting relief ground, inter alia, had 'the color' because placed specially onerous burden County's Negro citizens whom separate inferior schools. 4 After full trial other issues, Court denied requested, holding not met its proving test, context historic maintenance segregated unequal schools, did discriminatorily deprive Negroes franchise.4 States, 288 F.Supp. 678 (1968). made clear: 5 '(W)e do rely solely fact schools Gasto have period when persons presently school age, but instead reviewed evidence adduced case concluded quality well law.' Id., at 689—690, n. 23. 6 Pursuant 4(a) Act, appealed directly We noted probable jurisdiction, 393 1011, 629, 21 558 (1969), we affirm substantially reasons given majority 7 Appellant contends decision erroneous three scores: first, matter statutory construction legislative history, could consider practice educational discrimination determining whether franchise; second, facts case, education provided effect; third, whatever may situation past, fostered recent years. arguments turn. I. 8 history discloses Congress fully cognizant potential opportunities exercise franchise. This causal relationship was, indeed, one principal support Act's test-suspension provisions. Katzenbach testified before Senate Committee Judiciary: 9 'It might be suggested kind (voting) ended different way—by wiping registration books clean requiring all voters, white Negro, register anew under uniformly applied 10 '* * (S)uch an approach would solve, compound our present problems. 11 'To subject every citizen higher standard would, inevitably, work unfairly Negroes—Negroes who decades systematically opportunity equal available population. Although discredited 'separate equal' doctrine colorable constitutional legitimacy until 1954, notorious tragic pathetically thousands want today. 12 'The impact general reregistration produce real irony. Years violation 14th amendment, protection through education, become excuse continuing 15th vote.' Hearings S. 1564 Judiciary, 89th Cong., 1st Sess., 22. 13 similarly House Committee. See H.R. 6400 Subcommittee 18—19, 49. And significantly, Report Judiciary explicitly asserted: 14 '(T)he differences between whites area covered prohibitions—differences are reflected record committee—would mean application tests abridge amendment rights. advantage attributable localities involved.' S.Rep. 162, pt. 3, 16.5 Appellant's response seemingly unequivocal is, essence, proves too much. As Judge Gasch put his below: 16 '(I)t clear primarily directed Southern states. In allowed fair certified rebut presumption discriminatory manner. Thus, sections provide procedure whereby certification petition declaratory five-year suspension elapsed. Sections will remedy state, however, if, finds, system coupled census data showing Negroes, sufficient preclude recovery Act. can take judicial notice prevailing throughout South. what mind, stated where among Negroes. I believe intended interpreted way render §§ inapplicable states those systems.' F.Supp., 690, 695. 17 contentions fundamentally misconceive import below, read it. That disclaims establishing per se rule. court's premised merely dual system, substantial deprived black opportunities, turn them chance pass Consistent holding, demonstrate although suffered from inequality inherent see Brown Board Education, 347 483, 74 686, 98 L.Ed. 873 (1954), appreciable ability meet requirement. 18 It consequence dealt effects employing coverage formula enacted. chosen designed speedy, objective, incontrovertible;6 triggered appropriately figures. areas directed. 19 'share two characteristics incorporated into formula: devices voter registration, rate election least points below national average. Tests relevant their long tool perpetrating evil; low pertinent obvious reason widespread disenfranchisement inevitably affect number actual voters. Accordingly, rational both theory.' 330, 819, 20 contrast, based disparities, rates, administrt ively cumbersome: designation racially disparate systems susceptible incontrovertible determination; Bureau collects accurate county statistics literacy. Furthermore, either factors serve appropriate basis suspending encompassed 4(c) Act—for example, 'good moral character' requirement.7 conclude 1965, requirement 'effect seeks impose now age.8 II. 22 plaintiff carries proof. cannot expected raise refute conceivable defense, cf. Rules Civil Procedure, Rule 9(c), incumbent bar issue contention appellant's plaintiff-appellant then contrary. 332, 821, place issue, thereof introduced considerable evidence, summarize. All 1966 attended County9 schools.10 Between 1908 1929, approximately 45% population salaries teachers ranged about 20% high colleagues. 1919, uniform teacher first required Carolina, 98% teachers, only 5% qualified regular state teaching certificates. remaining 95% held 'second grade' Biennial Superintendent Public Instruction, 1918—1920, described second grade certificate lowest permit issued State. proper sense, teach someone found competent place.' 24 During same period, per-pupil valuation property 40% A much proportion children one-room, one-teacher, o oden schoolhouses contained desks. 25 By 1938—1939 year, teachers' increased 70% 1948 1949 almost equal. At later date, still one-third 26 Of over old time 1960 census, schooling twice County; four slightly whites. 27 1962, changed law provides '(e) very person presenting himself shall able write section Constitution English language.' N.C.Const., Art. VI, 4; supra. Supreme 'relatively high, even after more half century free public universal education,' Bazemore Bertie Elections, 254 N.C. 398, 402, 119 S.E.2d 637, 641 (1961),11 minister active especially heavy older citizens. Appendix 131—132. publicized enforced. registrar told leader illiterates register. Some attempted were, fact, rejected they others attempt register, knowing standard. 28 With out prima facie case. reasonable infer compelled endure fewer achieve degree better-educated contemporaries.12 Government's showing, certainly many subliterate gave little inducement enter remain school. 29 rebuttal testimony Thebaud Jeffers, school, come 1932. He '(a)ll child so he newspaper, simple material,' 169. 30 characterized Jeffers 'interested witness,' 'unpersuasive' measured evidence. further principal's knowledge dated 1932, some blatant disparities being reduced. Almost one-half county's adults Jeffers' arrival. 31 imposed 1965. clearly erroneous. III. 32 urges administered 1962 impartial manner, significant strides toward equalizing integrating system. accept claims true, fall wide rk. Affording today's youth doubtless prepare meet, terms, standards reach age. does nothing parents, however. From record, escape sad truth granted 'Impartial' administration today perpetuate inequities form. 33 judgment affirmed. 34 Affirmed. 35 BLACK dissents (b) 355, 358, 832—834, 769. phrase 'test device' (1) read, write, understand, interpret matter, (2) achievement subject, (3) possess good character, (4) qualifications voucher voters members class.' 4(c), 79 Stat. 438, 42 U.S.C. 1973b(c) (1964 ed., Supp. III). 4(a), 1973b(a) 4, provides: 'Every times N.C.Gen.Stat. 163—28 mirrored provision. 1967 statute renumbered 163—58 wording amended minor aspects. Wright wrote opinion, Robinson joined. dissented infra, 290-291, reasons. view relationship, acknowledgment Congress, enforce Fifteenth, Fourteenth, Amendment. See, e.g., 141—142; 49—50, 66, 102. course, concerned rights, bears Acto nly insofar result abridgment Section 4(b), makes unreviewable court. findings review consist objective statistical routine analysis statutes Department. These functions unlikely arouse plausible dispute.' 333, supra; 30—31. occasion decide reinstatement face achievements government bore responsibility. assume, suggest otherwise, most adult resided there children. Cf. Population, Vol. I, 35, table 39. seem legal significance educated counties also maintaining systems. 678, 686 Unless otherwise indicated, set controverted, appear 686—687, Exhibit (Excerpts Reports Instruction Carolina). Elsewhere registrant aloud, copy, Constitution. 404, S.E.2d, 642. registrars copy sentences inference appears history. supra, 289—290.

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