Document: 366 U.S. 582 81 S.Ct. 1135 6 L.Ed.2d 551 TWO GUYS FROM HARRISON-ALLENTOWN, INC., Appellant,v.Paul A. McGINLEY, District Attorney, County of Lehigh, Pennsylvania, et al. No. 36. Argued Dec. 8, 1960. Decided May 29, 1961. Mr. Harold E. Kohn, Philadelphia, Pa., for appellant. Harry J. Rubin, York, appellees. Chief Justice WARREN delivered the opinion Court. 1 The primary questions presented in this case are whether a Pennsylvania statute enacted 19591 which makes unlawful Sunday retail sale certain commodities, imposing fine up to one hundred dollars first offense, is violative constitutional guarantees equal protection laws and religious freedom. 2 This essentially same as McGowan v. State Maryland, 420, 1101, 393. major differences between Maryland Closing Laws concern specific provisions exemptions from general proscription sales activities. religiously oriented backgrounds both statutes strikingly similar although colony never had an established church while did exist time Maryland. While pronouncements Supreme Court indicate that it disclaimed purpose closing at earlier date than Appeals, 220 Md. 117, 151 A.2d 156 later decisions returned language opinions consistently rested on secular bases. On other hand, legislative history most recent more striking providing support position temporal considerations preoccupied Legislature. 3 Appellant corporation operates large discount department store located highway Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. For some prior instant litigation, McGinley, prosecuted number appellant's employees violating 18 Purdon's Pa.Stat.Ann. § 4699.4, section Penal Code 1939.2 statute, with exceptions, generally forbids all worldly employment, business sports Sunday. Works charity necessity excepted, delivery milk necessaries before 9 a.m. after 5 p.m. Two amendments also except wholesome recreation (defined golf, tennis, boating, swimming, bowling, basketball, picnicking, shooting inanimate targets healthful or recreational exercises activities) work connection rendering service by public utility. Violations carry penalty four dollars. then sought injunction court below restrain Attorney enforcing against it, alleging was unconstitutional reasons stated above because discriminating appellant law. Accordingly, three-judge convened pursuant 28 U.S.C. §§ 2281 2284, U.S.C.A. 2281, 2284. Before trial, Legislature 1959 provision amended its complaint include threatening enforce 4 Although challenged only statutory sections mentioned above, order properly consider contentions, whole body must be examined.3 Among activities prohibited these selling motor vehicles trailers, operation pool rooms billiard rooms, conduct boxing wrestling matches, harness racing, pawnbrokering, contests retrieving dogs, catching fish Delaware River use net, extension education school buildings. exhibition motion pictures permitted p.m., if voters each municipality approve; however, may shown churches any they within property no admission price charged. Baseball, football polo receive treatment hours 7 Public concerts, music high though not necessarily sacred, performed noon. off-the-premises alcoholic beverages disallowed; but private clubs sell their members Sunday, hotel restaurants 10 first- second-class cities those so choose. Municipalities third-class have authority desecrations Sabbath day; simply empowers various judicial officers punish persons who profane Lord's day. Barbering beauty culture subjects actor license revocation. Male prisoners perform manual labor bakery commence working proscribe hunting make exception removal furbearing animals traps. fishing lands waters permitted, without consent owner. Also banned training dogs permission owner upon whose land activity undertaken. below, finding McGinley threatened Act employees, denied injunctive relief sought, dismissing objections law respecting establishment religion, preferred religion over others classifications drawn were three judge declined pass constitutionality 1939 found that, since now effect, there imminent threat being under enactment. felt duty refrain passing believed substantial unsettled question superseded far commodities covered latter statute. Regarding contention discriminatorily, held recently made efforts compel observance numerous stores, wholly prospective McGinley's term office expiring month decision, basis would future discriminatory enforcement D.C., 179 F.Supp. 944. appeal brought 1253 1253, we noted probable jurisdiction. 362 960, 80 876, 875. I. 8 reaching presented, several ancillary matters considered. First, contends discriminated laws. Recognizing mootness problem exists has new Attorney,4 still pending prosecutions initiated result alleged action. Since defend such proceeding actually ground discrimination, do believe incorrect refusing exercise powers time. Furthermore, abused discretion declining stated. Railroad Commission Pullman Co., 312 496, 61 643, 85 L.Ed. 971. clear prosecution Act, courts decided applies appellant, enough statute's validity. Similarly, equity power continue preliminary barring prosecution. II. urges enactment contrary Fourteenth Amendment's mandate because, rational basis, singles out twenty specified penalized offense and, subsequent offenses committed year, two or, default thereof, imprisonment exceed thirty days; extends sales. argues forbid items permitting many exclude retailers exempting wholesalers, dealers, factories, engaged excepted defeats State's interest day rest tranquillity all.5 11 standards evaluating contentions been set pages 425—426, 1104—1105; need restate them here. argument overlooks fact prohibits worldy employment business, narrowly exceptions; us supplements regulation. existing system imposes greater seems assumed forbidden all. Of course, works charity, recreation, could find interests citizens best served activities; interference absolute justified requirement desirability. supra, page 426, 1105. 12 As rationality heavier selected found: 13 'that observed sellers all, subject provisions, until very opening suburban businesses like plaintiff triggered rather scale violations, threats * (and) small dollar inadequate deter establishments easily absorb fines incidental cost doing profitable business. Moreover, appeared types principal categories merchandise sold newly acute.' 952.6 14 It legislature concluded particularly disrupting intended atmosphere great volume traffic attracted,7 danger competitors Sunday8 employees. 'Evils field different dimensions proportions, requiring remedies. Or reform take step time, addressing itself phase acute mind. select apply remedy there, neglecting others.' Williamson Lee Optical, 348 483, 489, 75 461, 465, 99 563.9 III. 15 Law commemorates Resurrection, obliges everone honor basic doctrine Christian denominations abstaining encourages worship. alleges discriminates religions. 429—431, 1107—1108, hold standing raise contention.10 16 To prove argument, relies present question, legislation statements interpreting statutes. We agree inquiry into relevant. 431, 1108. 17 original obvious indisputable. clearly demonstrated law, 1682.11 There re-enactments years later, again 1700, once purposes preventing 'Looseness, Irreligion, Atheism,' better reading scriptures home frequenting meetings Id., 192. Statutes Large 3—4. In 1705, changes appeared. preamble remained religious12 Bible worship continued. However, exceptions appeared, ban drinking houses enacted. 175—177. apparent forerunner passed 1779. 'for due observation day.' 333. No mention prohibition concerning omitted. By 1786, completely disappeared, 314. See 110 final colonial 1794. contain traces early influence. refers 'the day'; included entitled, 'Offenses Against Policy, Economy Health.' Title 4651 uses 'Sabbath Day' days week 'secular days.' But almost every word 'Sunday' contains connotation. seem oversight failing remove them. Section re-enacted happened retain language; sections, date, omit it. Certain political subdivisions authorized 'desecrations day,' jurisdictional authorizing punishment 'profane historically considered profane—e.g., consumption beverages—are longer totally prohibited. immunity exempted during afternoons. 19 permit consistent aiding attendance; fact, might deemed inconsistent. And section, 4699.10, immediately us, promoted principally representatives interests.13 Those legislators favored bill specifically disavowed instead economics required passage.14 20 1848, vociferously religious: 21 'All well-being society, periods absolutely necessary. productive advantage, recur intervals, mass community composed, enjoy respite labour They common consent, conceded, state may, impropriety, interfere fix return obedience direction. When happens, selected, said round presents none which, preferred, regarded favouring sects mankind divided. community, where majority people celebrate chosen period labour, surprising should received sanction: devoted observances, prepared estimate reason why speak day, denominate infraction legalized rest, profanation. Yet does change character still, essentially, civil regulation government man member enforced penal sanctions.' Specht Commonwealth, Pa. 312, 323. (Emphasis added.)15 22 Concededly, cases16 used strongly supporting position. cases, last ago, squarely decide contention. More persuasively, appellate dealing Superior affirmed relied reasoning Specht. Commonwealth Bauder, 188 Pa.Super. 424, 145 915, affirming Pa.D. & C.R.2d 571. 23 Having carefully examined entirety legislation, relevant characterizations particularly, leading passage neither nor effect religious. 449, 1117. 449—452, 1117 1119, reject means disposal accomplish even remotely incidentally give aid religion. 24 decision affirmed. 25 Affirmed. 26 (For FRANKFURTER, joined HARLAN, see 459, 1153.) 27 dissenting DOUGLAS, 561, 1218.) (1960 Cum.Supp.) 4699.10 provides: 'Selling personal 'Whoever engages selling, sells offers sale, retail, clothing wearing apparel, accessories, furniture, housewares, home, furnishings, household, appliances, hardware, tools, paints, building lumber supply materials, jewelry, silverware, watches, clocks, luggage, musical instruments recordings, toys, excluding novelties souvenirs, shall, conviction thereof summary sentenced pay exceeding ($100), second year ($200) undergo thereof. 'Each separate offer shall constitute offense. 'Information charging violations seventy-two commission thereafter.' 4699.4. 'Worldly performs whatsoever commonly called (works excepted), practices game, hunting, shooting, sport diversion proceeding, ($4), payment suffer six (6) days' imprisonment. 'Nothing herein contained construed prohibit dressing victuals families, bake-houses, lodging-houses, inns entertainment sojourners, travellers strangers, hinder watermen landing passengers, ferrymen carrying water travellers, removing families life, nine clock forenoon, five afternoon These laws, entirety, 1, 30.202, 59—66, 81—91, 121—127, 151—157, 181 185, 307(c); 632, 633, 4651, 4699.9, 4699.10; 19—1903; 30 118, 138, 153, 265, 273; 34 1311.702, 1311.719, 1311.721, 1311.731, 1311.1205; 43 361; 47 3—304, 4—406, 492; 51 623; 53 23130, 37403(24); 184, 195; 63 281—28, 519, 559. 'substituted additional defendant' motion, 'has therefore, aver (the Attorney) will discriminatorily (the) his predecessor *.' Concomitantly, states violates process reasons. Commenting English Member Parliament stated: 'The 5s., nobody suggest effective way. little expense added keep open Sundays, me Statute 1677, applied modern conditions, nothing short ridiculous.' 308 Parliamentary Debates, Commons, 2167. A legislator 'It months New Jersey moved aforementioned Whitehall Township County. known 'Two Guys Harrison.' started operating novelty. came Northampton, Bucks, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill surrounding counties, much jammed highways Seventh Street Pike Allentown Township. enterprises along route business.' 36 Legislative Journal 1143. recognized when 'So far, happily, combine chain stores entered trading, impossible themselves compelled economic pressure local circumstances takes action control regulate shops. If development place, our shopping centres way bustle, noise glamour week-day trade.' 2166. 29 Charles II, c. (1677), imposed differing proscribed Black claim merit. 429, 1107, note 6. 'Whereas, glory Almighty God good Mankind, end government, venerable Ordinance God. forasmuch desired Proprietary Governor freemen Province territories thereunto belonging, establish preserve true Civil Liberty, opposition Unchristian, Licentious, unjust practices, (Whereby due, Caesar due,) tyranny oppression side, insolence, Licentiousness other, firmest foundation layd happiness people, aforesaid, posterity. 'Be therefore Enacted William Penn, Governour, by, Advice Consent Deputies Counties Assembly met, Authority same, That following Chapters Paragraphs 'Chap. God, Only Lord Conscience father Lights Spirits, author well object Divine knowledge, faith, Worship, can enlighten mind, persuade convince understandings people. reverence Sovereignty Souls Mankind *. 'But Looseness, irreligion, Atheism Creep pretense Province, Be Further according example primitive Christians, ease Creation, Every week, People abstain usual toil Masters, Parents, Children, Servants, dispose read Scriptures truth frequent abroad, sute respective persuasions.' Charter 1682—1700, 107—108. 'To province freedom devote pious exercises.' p. 175. 1139, 2553, 2682 2683. example: 'As I bill, nature. prompted thousands letters Senate asking something men women stores. go church; rest. 'I anyone complaining about Session automobile 'This crystalized think, organized American Federation Labor. favor heading group particular voice obligation vote recognition bill. indictment civilization kind possible too bad legislate morals, bill.' 1139. id., 1137—1140, 2564—2565, 2682—2685. error plaintiff's confounds actual thus mistakes mere restraint physical exertion fetters clog mind conscience. otherwise, inapplicable act conclusions inexpressive practical operation, intent makers. phraseology holy simple expression abstract opinion, liberty adopt reject, carries beyond influence attendant itself, cannot was, authoritatively, assert supremacy appointment. Had intent, irrespective framers stopped bare interdiction amusements. Following offered older communities, commanded performance rites, least, express Sabbath. Such requisition, error, palpable rights exacted. contrary, left full shape own convictions, practically extent free views. this, respects, conscience uncontrolled legal coercion, pursue inquiries conclusions. aspect is, derogation inhibition.' 324. Johnston 1853, 102, 111; Nesbit, 1859, 398, 405—409; Society Visitation Sick ex rel. Meyer, 1866, 52 125, 135; Sparhawk Union Passenger R. 1867, 54 401, 408—409, 423; Baseball Club, 1927, 290 136, 141, 143, 138 497, 499, A.L.R. 1027.

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