Document: 344 U.S. 183 73 S.Ct. 215 97 L.Ed. 216 WIEMAN et al.v.UPDEGRAFF al. No. 14. Argued Oct. 16, 1952. Decided Dec. 15, Mr. Don Emery, Oklahoma City, Okl., Robert J. on the brief, for appellants. Messrs. Paul W. Updegraff, Norman, Fred Hansen, appellees. Justice CLARK delivered opinion of Court. 1 This is an appeal from a decision Supreme Court Oklahoma, Board Regents v. 205 Okl. 301, 237 P.2d 131, 135, upholding validity loyalty oath1 prescribed by statute all state officers and employees. Okl.Stat.1951, Tit. 51, §§ 37.1—37.8. Appellants, employed as members faculty staff Agricultural Mechanical College, failed, within thirty days permitted, to take oath required Act. Appellee citizen taxpayer, thereupon brought this suit in District County enjoin necessary officials paying further compensation employees who had not subscribed oath. The appellants, were permitted intervene, attacked Act grounds, among others, that it was bill attainder; ex post facto law; impaired obligation their contracts with State violated Due Process Clause Fourteenth Amendment. They also sought mandatory injunction directing pay salaries regardless failure Their objections centered largely following clauses oath: 2 '* * That I am affiliated directly or indirectly any foreign political agency, party, organization Government, organization, association, group whatever which has been officially determined United States Attorney General other authorized agency be communist front subversive organization; will up arms defense time War, National Emergency, if necessary; five (5) years immediately preceding taking (or affirmation) have member public *.' 3 court upheld enjoined making salary payments affirmed, sub nom. 1951, Ok. 135.2 We noted probable jurisdiction because importance type legislation recurring serious constitutional questions presents. 4 holding valid concluded appellants compelled written; 'and each them, did subscribe provided Section wilfully refused reason thereof employment terminated.' In affirming, held phrase 'any organization' actually 'refers list lists such organizations existence at passage act prepared (of States) under Governmental directive. Such are effect made part reference.' On point continues: 'There no requirement taken non-membership act.' 5 read highest court's limiting proscribed those designated issued prior effective date Although interpretation discarded clear language surplusage, denied appellants' petition rehearing included plea refusal permit so interpreted violative due process. 6 purpose Act, we told, 'was make qualification hold office State.' page 305, 136. During periods international stress, extent objectives accentuates our traditional concern about relation government individual free society. perennial problem defining relationship becomes acute when disloyalty screened ideological patterns techniques disguise difficult identify. Democratic powerless meet threat, but must do without infringing freedoms ultimate values democratic living. adoption means believes effective, legislature therefore confronted balancing its interest national security often conflicting rights individual. 7 series cases coming here recent years, occasion consider aimed safeguarding service disloyalty. Garner Public Works, 341 716, 71 909, 95 1317; Adler Education, 1952, 342 485, 72 380; Gerende Supervisors, 56, 565, 745. It context these decisions determine before us. 8 involved Los Angeles ordinance requiring city swear they advocate overthrow unlawful belong objectives. implemented earlier charter amendment disqualified municipal persons unable truthfully. One attacks case process negation limited known employee class. argument rejected felt justified assuming scienter implicit clause 9 Alder indicated determining whether rule exclusion based association applies innocent well knowing activity. New York bar schools advocate, means. Feinberg Law directed listing, after notice hearing, described. Under § 3022 statute, Education Law, McK.Consol.Laws, c. regulation membership listed should prima facie evidence disqualification schools. legislation, expressly courts construed require knowledge organizational could apply. 494, pae 385. Cf. American Communications Ass'n Douds, 1950, 339 382, 413, 70 674, 94 925. 10 candidates places Maryland ballot. oral case, assured us he would advise proper authorities accept, complying affidavit stating affiant engaged attempt force violence knowingly attempt. Because Appeals' interpreting satisfy requirements, affirmed basis assurance. 11 assumed Garner, ourinterpretation containing correct, give petitioners sign opportunity resume employment. But here, it, extend addition, urged deprived them denied. viewed factor statute. thus question touched Adler, Gerende: permits attempting disloyal individuals employ exclude solely membership, concerning belonged. For, us, fact alone disqualifies. If expressed presumption disloyalty, conclusive one. 12 may innocent. A servant joined unaware activities purposes. many completely loyal severed ties learning first character groups 'They joined, (but) know what was; good, fine young men women, Americans, trapped into one great weaknesses adult youth, join something.'3 At affiliation, itself innocent, only later influence turn toward illegitimate ends. Conversely, formerly subsequently freed influences originally led listing. 13 There can dispute consequences visited upon person excluded grounds. view community, stain deep one; indeed, become badge infamy. Especially cold war hot emotions 'each man begins eye his neighbor possible enemy.'4 Yet determines disqualification; matters existed innocently knowingly. To inhibit freedom movement stifle flow expression controversy chief sources. distinction observed between decisive. Indiscriminate classification activity fall assertion arbitrary power. offends 14 appellee insists Workers Mitchell, 1947, 330 75, 67 556, 91 754, contra. referred statement seeking 'no right work school system own terms. Mitchell *. reasonable terms laid down York.' 492, 384. draw facile generalization there constitutionally protected obscure issue. Workers, though Federal Government through Hatch 18 U.S.C.A. 118j, 118l, properly certain types thought inimical interests Civil Service, cast perspective emphasizing Congress 'enact providing Republican, Jew Negro shall appointed federal office, attend Mass active missionary work.' 100, 569, 754. See re Summers, 1945, 325 561, 571, 65 1307, 1313, 89 1795. need pause abstract exists. sufficient say protection does whose pursuant patently discriminatory. 15 disposition, pass raised proscribing 'communist organizations' States, gave fair affected, listings never designation fronts,' some classifying them. Nor significance differing standards preparation evidentiary use Loyalty Program. 16 Reversed. 17 JACKSON, having heard argument, took consideration case. BURTON concurs result. 19 BLACK, concurring. 20 concur says condemnation Oklahoma's test agree prescribing fatally offensive guarantee Constitution. 21 History indicates liberty intermittently subjected extraordinary perils. Even countries dedicated people cyclical dangers. Republic marked period. Enforcement Alien Sedition Laws zealous patriots feared ideas highly dangerous think, speak, write critically government, agents, policies, either domestic. Our liberties survived ordeal regrettable period influential powerful organized bold enough champion undiluted publish argue beliefs however unorthodox loathsome. Today however, few power unpopular advocacy same wholly unqualified immunity governmental interference. For reasons present fear seems more ominously speech press than Laws. Suppressive laws practices fashion. manifestation network coercing controlling minds men. Test oaths notorious tools tyranny. When used shackle mind are, least be, unspeakably odious people. still combined bills attainder like impose pains penalties past lawful associations utterances. 22 Governments ample punish treasonable acts. follow distinguished society forget stigmatize penalize way reaching, ensnaring silencing intended. long run none cringing craven. And cannot too repeat my belief speak eventually lost. 23 self-evident criticizing rulers challenging current status quo. With full danger Framers rested First Amendment premise slightest suppression thought, speech, press, assembly dangerous. guaranteed unequivocal express themselves interest. Americans discuss sufferance legislatures, agencies. appraise utterances notion uncompromising Bill Rights prevail saved. Tyrannical totalitarian governments safely allow complete freedom. believe can. 24 DOUGLAS opinion. 25 FRANKFURTER, whom joins, 26 times being appropriate add word emphasis Court's opinion, join. 27 concerns exact teachers colleges not, been, 'subversive' 'Communist-front.' Since affiliation forsworn purposes club established parties, oath, pain teacher's loss position penalizes teacher exercising ofassociation peculiarly characteristic Arthur M. Schlesinger, Sr., Biography Nation Joiners, 50 Am.Hist.Rev. (1944), reprinted Paths Present 23. joining exercise inquiry. By interfere inquiry protects persons, matter calling. But, nature safeguarded Amendment, inhibition action brings safeguards amendments vividly operation. unwarranted spirit affects who, unmistakeable tendency chill play ought especially cultivate practice; makes caution timidity potential teachers. 28 Constitution render impotent guard against destruction enemies within. preclude measures self-protection anticipated overt acts violence. Solid threats kind government—manifestations reject ballot bringing changes promoting progress—may met preventive reach fruition. However, considering constitutionality keep steadfastly secured. Only evident why found law violates fundamental principles 'which lie base civil institutions' imbedded offend. Hebert Louisiana, 272 312, 316, 47 103, 104, 270. 29 democracy ultimately rests platitude commonplace action. reliance disciplined responsible. responsible habits open-mindedness critical acquired formative citizens. education naturally hope perdurance leaders, Thomas Jefferson onwards. 30 regard teachers—in entire educational system, primary grades university—as priests indulge hyperbole. special task foster citizens, turn, enlightened Teachers fulfill function precept practice, very atmosphere generate; exemplars carry out noble conditions practice inquiry, action, meaning social economic ideas, checkered history dogma. sift evanescent doctrine, qualified circumstance, restless, enduring extending bounds understanding wisdom, assure worship infraction government. 31 functions institutions life adequately perform limitations These essential discharge described leading educator: 32 'Now, university place benefit society, center independent thought. criticism created progress every fail face creating universities. 33 'It important attract institution greatest capacity, encourage judgment. 34 'Education continuing dialogue, dialogue assumes, different points view. 35 'The civilization which, sure, working called where, instead shooting another you differ, things together. SU 'In then, assume going everybody thinking feeling way. unprogressive happened. eventual development gone. More that, course boring. 36 'A university, Socratic conversation level best think of, bring together, most questions, thing uttermost limits themselves. 37 freedom, merely prejudice, although prejudices might perfectly satisfactory, successors, pressure bear institution, real sense, subverting doctrine speech.' Statement Hutchins, Associate Director Ford Foundation, November 25, Hearings House Select Committee Investigate Tax-exempt Foundations Comparable Organizations, H.Res. 82d Cong., 2d Sess. 'I, _ _, solemnly affirm) support defend enemies, domestic; true faith allegiance Oklahoma; freely, mental reservation evasion; faithfully duties enter. 'And nor party otherwise, now advocates means; Communist Party, Third International, revolution, teach justify program sabotage, violence, sedition treason, State; indirectly, whatsoever, State, change form thereof, advocated during (Here put name or, employee,) insert 'An of' followed employing officer, authority, commission, department institution. 'I means.' named defendants Updegraff's unconstitutional. Following policy adverse supreme court, appellees appellant-intervenors. chosen brief restate, below. Testimony Edgar Hoover, Un-American Activities H.R. 1884 2122, 80th 1st 46. Address Judge Learned Hand 86th Convocation University York, October 24, Albany, York.

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