Document: 350 U.S. 551 76 S.Ct. 637 100 L.Ed. 692 See 351 944, 843. Harry SLOCHOWER, Appellant, v.The BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION The CITY NEW YORK. No. 23. Argued Oct. 19, 1955. Decided April 9, 1956. As Modified on Denial of Rehearing May 28, Mr. Ephraim S. London, New York City, for appellant. Daniel T. Scannell, Brooklyn, N.Y., appellee. Justice CLARK. 1 This appeal brings into question the constitutionality § 903 Charter City York. That section provides that whenever an employee utilizes privilege against self-incrimination to avoid answering a relating his official conduct, 'his term or tenure office employment shall terminate and such be vacant, he not eligible election appointment any under city agency.'1 Appellant Slochower invoked Fifth Amendment before investigating committee United States Senate, was summarily discharged from position as associate professor at Brooklyn College, institution maintained by He now claims charter provision applied him, violates both Due Process Privileges Immunities Clauses Fourteenth Amendment. 2 On September 24, 1952, Internal Security Subcommittee Committee Judiciary Senate held open hearings in City. investigation, conducted national scale, related subversive influences American educational system. At beginning Chairman stated education primarily state local function, therefore inquiry would limited 'considerations affecting security, which are directly within purview authority subcommittee.' Hearings Investigate Administration Act other Laws Judiciary, 82d Cong., 2d sess. 1. Professor Slochower, when called testify, member Communist Party, indicated complete willingness answer all questions about associations political beliefs since 1941. But refused concerning membership during 1940 1941 ground answers might tend incriminate him. accepted Slochower's claim valid assertion admitted constitutional right. 3 It had been alleged testimony one Bernard Grebanier Rapp-Coudert Legislature. Report Joint Legislative Procedures Methods Allocating State Moneys Public School Purposes Subversive Activities, Document (1942), 49, York, 318. testified appeared twice Committee, subsequently Board Faculty this charge. also answered these affiliations 4 Shortly after testifying Subcommittee, notified suspended College; three days later declared vacant 'pursuant provisions Section charter.'* 5 27 years' experience college teacher entitled law. McKinney's Consol.Laws, c. 16, Education Law, 6206(2). Under statute, appellant may only cause, notice, hearing, appeal. 6206(10). Court Appeals however, has authoritatively interpreted mean 'The self incrimination is equivalent resignation'. Daniman v. 306 N.Y. 532, 538, 119 N.E.2d 373, 377. Dismissal automatic there no right charges, opportunity explain. 6 Supreme County Kings, concluded appellant's behavior fell scope 903, upheld its application here. 202 Misc. 915, 118 N.Y.S.2d 487. Appellate Division, 282 App.Div. 718, 122 286, reported sub nom. Shlakman Higher Appeals, supra, each divided court, affirmed. We noted probable jurisdiction, 348 935, 75 356, 99 733, because importance presented.2 7 argues abridges immunity citizen it effect imposes penalty exercise federally guaranteed federal proceeding. due process, argues, mere does provide reasonable basis employment. Appellee insists 'privileges immunities' raised passed below, directs argument solely proposition operate arbitrary capricious manner. do decide whether clause considered we conclude summary dismissal circumstances case process 8 problem balancing State's interest loyalty those service with traditional safeguards individual rights continuing one. To person have government say must comply reasonable, lawful, nondiscriminatory terms laid down proper authorities. Adler 342 485, 72 380, 96 517, Feinberg Law authorized public school authorities dismiss employees who, notice were found advocate overthrow Government unlawful means, who unable explain satisfactorily certain organizations aim.3 Likewise Garner Works Los Angeles, 341 716, 720, 71 909, 912, 95 1317, inquire 'matters prove relevant their fitness suitability service', including membership, past present, Party Political Association. There power discharge file affidavit disclosing information authorities.4 9 cases emphasized conform requirements process. In Wieman Updegraff, 344 183, 73 215, 97 216, struck so-called 'loyalty oath' based employability fact certian organizations. pointed out itself innocent classification guilty together arbitrary.5 rests squarely 'constitutional protection extend servant whose exclusion pursuant statute patently discriminatory.' page 192, 219. 10 Here Board, support position, contends two possible inferences flow self-incrimination: (1) him crime some way connected conduct; (2) order falsely stating thus committed perjury. Either inference, insists, sufficient justify termination Committee's determination properly further inference could drawn refusal testify. impose merely condition affirmed action taken case. With conclusion cannot agree. 11 outset condemn practice imputing sinister meaning person's accused refuse England rule evidence, so important our forefathers they dignity enactment, recognized 'one most valuable prerogatives citizen'. Brown Walker, 161 591, 610, 16 644, 652, 40 819. reaffirmed faith principle recently Quinn States, 349 155, 668, 964. Ullmann 422, 497, scored assumption either criminals perjurers. reduced hollow mockery if confession guilt conclusive presumption Ullmann, witness fear prosecution yet wrongdoing. serves protect otherwise ensnared ambiguous circumstances. Griswold, Today (1955). 12 mind, consider 903. courts, operates every invokes practical asked confessed made discharge. No consideration given factors subject matter questions, remoteness period directed, justification privilege. matters plea resulted mistake, inadvertence legal advice conscientiously given, wisely unwisely. heavy hand falls alike privilege, full enjoyment receive. Such prohibition supra. 13 thing themselves fitness, but quite another entirely events occurring announced directed 'the property, affairs, city, . conduct employees.' respect present differs materially Garner, where attempting elicit necessary determine qualifications employees. Here, possessed pertinent years, admittedly purpose wholly unrelated functions. record part bona fide attempt gain needed information. 14 Without attacking qualification manner, apparently knowledge years seized upon converted through use guilt. Since committee, own weight without support. 'protection action' Cardozo characterized very essence Ohio Bell Telephone Co. Utilities Commission, 301 292, 302, 57 724, 729, 81 1093. 15 German College. broad powers selection employees, show continued inconsistent real State. hold judgment reversed cause remanded proceedings opinion. 17 Reversed remanded. 18 BLACK DOUGLAS join Court's opinion, adhere views expressed dissents concurrences 19 REED, whom BURTON MINTON join, dissenting. 20 reliance Clause Constitution, strikes deep governmental institutions officials meet standards Charter, adopted 1936 take 1938, designed eliminate individuals legally inquiries 'official officer * him'. Its provisions, applicable others, multipronged grounds attack instances teachers sought bar removal positions.1 21 sole reversal here applied, Federal Constitution. amended remittitur violated. 307 806, 121 629. view conclusions need deal problem. exclusive reach statute. 22 finds denial relied required answer. assert contrary—the require give evidence regarding facts up positions hold. Petitioners never contended error led them Their contention set margin below.2 Discharges depend disclosed perjury, really fear. disagree takes confessed. Cities, like employers, reasonably furnish appropriate enough Legally bodies demand citizens inquiries. duty respond personal only, avoidance can stamp unfit positions. reinforced claimant role instructor youth. plead protects loss job.3 23 intend prior known claim, functions, vacate office. If so, likewise, think, erroneous. agree professional qualifications. propriety employing man refuses bodies. 24 Consideration 'due process' supports violate concept. For field unchallenged Constitution requires far more than disagreement courts. require, does, stay discharging deems unworthy occupy chair demands say, follows cases, declaring fundamental principles liberty justice lie base civil institutions.4 A 'a repugnant conscience mankind.'5 Surely situation exists 25 Those charged duties bear responsibilities. Only few ago, 385, making ineligible organization, knew purpose. 'fact bears relation presumed', i.e., 'disqualification employment', rejected. said: 26 'A works sensitive area schoolroom. shapes attitude young minds towards society live. this, vital concern. preserve integrity schools. screen officials, teachers, maintain schools ordered society, doubted. One's associates, well one's determining loyalty.' Id., 493, 385. great university members faculty committees Congress 'misconduct' though grave dismissal.6 Numerous colleges universities treated members.7 When feel impropriety reserving disclosure duly investigations, teachers? 28 discriminatory 216. joined proscribed organization unaware activities purposes.' 190, 218. unanimously condemned requirement oath covered knowing distinction. different included Seabury help elimination graft corruption.8 testify criminal acts self-incrimination. decided did want kind think affirm Appeals. 29 HARLAN, 30 I dissent misconceived nature construed unduly circumscribed ensure teachers. 31 understand Clark's regards raising sort Dr. contrary, 'we presume, course, petitioners (one Slochower) shown L.1949, ch. 360 party incrimination.'1 inoperative even incriminating apparent discharge, apart Thus resignation'.2 clear Education's same premise. presents, therefore, constitutionally makes 32 effect, what done will employ cooperate conduct. Does York's ensuring majority seems not. already held, make dedicated force disqualification teaching. Education, 517. step implementation policy, refusing requirement. 1317. Moreover, justifiably longer qualified teaching, jeopardizes confidence should 33 difference put rather body. subcommittee ask controverted. While original doubtful intended apply ruled otherwise, interpretation binding us. discriminate between forums deciding question, lawfully constituted elicited reviewing qualifications, system least legislative committee. 34 answered, congressional subcommittee.3 Even assuming information, see how prevent applying Apart considerations, tell before? 35 decision presented Dewey Des Moines, 173 193, 379, 43 665. text provides: 'If councilman shall, lawful wilfully fail appear court judge, officer, board body hearing inquiry, having affairs county territorial limits, nomination, election, county, waive account agency.' (Reporter's Note: sentence Preliminary Print p. 554, lines 13—18, deleted entered 1956, 843.) Thirteen brought suit reinstatement pleading investigation. dismissed 'for question.' 933, 355, 732. 629, declined amend appellants Slochower. Black Douglas dissented. Frankfurter dissented standing ripeness. Burton concurred aspect case, portions separate opinions. opinions joined. result. (Shlakman York), 737. 'In agreed conspiracy Government. agreement Loyalty goes heart rendered branches Communism opposed loyalty. security affects National Governments.' pages 540—541, 379. 'hearing committee' city. 541, Appellant's petition follows: '9. others referred paragraph various numerous grounds, jurisdiction matters, First forbade procedures violated grounds. acquiesced questions.' Cf. 422 438—439, 497: 'For history establishes literally, concern is, name indicates, danger forced leading infliction 'penalties affixed *." Hebert Louisiana, 272 312, 316, 47 103, 104, 270; Twining Jersey, 211 78, 100, 14, 20, 53 97. Palko Connecticut, 302 319, 323, 325, 326, 58 149, 151, 152, 83 288. Louisiana ex rel. Francis Resweber, 329 459, 463, 67 374, 376, 91 422; Adamson People California, 332 46, 53, 1672, 1676, 1903. 42 Association University Professors Bulletin 96. Compare Rights Responsibilities Universities Faculties, Universities, March 1953, III: 'As association, accepts conventions become morally binding. Above all, owes colleagues candor perfect integrity, precluding clandestine conspiratorial activities. euqal public. convictions speak out. definitely professor. Refusal whatever reflect profession fullest freedom maximum available society. respect, invocation places burden proof teaching lays obligation reexamine '* abused, remedy noncooperation defiance; normal channels informed opinion.' Ass'n 61—94. Matter Investigation Departments Final Samuel Seabury, December 27, 1932, pp. 9—10. Ibid. response Senator Ferguson's 'ever' 1941, replied: 'Yes, it.'

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