Document: 385 U.S. 116 87 S.Ct. 339 17 L.Ed.2d 235 Julian BOND et al., Appellants,v.James 'Sloppy' FLOYD al. No. 87. Argued Nov. 10, 1966. Decided Dec. 5, Howard Moore, Jr., Atlanta, Ga., and Leonard B. Boudin, Washington, D.C., for appellants. Arthur K. Bolton, Griffin, appellees. Mr. Chief Justice WARREN delivered the opinion of Court. 1 The question presented in this case is whether Georgia House Representatives may constitutionally exclude appellant Bond, a duly elected Representative, from membership because his statements, statements to which he subscribed, criticizing policy Federal Government Vietnam operation Selective Service laws. An understanding circumstances litigation requires complete presentation events led appeal. 2 Negro, was on June 15, 1965, as Representative 136th District. Of District's 6,500 voters, approximately 6,000 are Negroes. Bond defeated opponent, Malcolm Dean, Dean Men at Atlanta University, also by vote 2,320 487. 3 On January 6, 1966, Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, civil rights organization then Communications Director, issued following statement American its relation work organizations country: 4 'The Committee has right responsibility dissent with United States foreign an issue when it sees fit. now states opposition States' involvement Viet Nam these grounds: 'We believe government been deceptive claims concern freedom Vietnamese people, just claiming colored people such other countries Dominican Republic, Congo, South Africa, Rhodesia itself. 5 'We, have involved black people's struggle liberation self-determination country past five years. Our work, particularly South, taught us that never guaranteed oppressed citizens, not yet truly determined end rule terror oppression within own borders. 6 ourselves often victims violence confinement executed officials. We recall numerous persons who murdered their efforts secure human rights, whose murderers allowed escape penalty crimes. 7 murder Samuel Young Tuskegee, Ala., no different than peasants Nam, both sought, seeking, them law. In each bears great part deaths. 8 'Samuel law being enforced. pursuing aggressive violation international respector or laws run counter needs desires. 9 indifference, suspicion outright hostility our reports met 10 know most part, elections country, North well free. seen 1965 Voting Rights Act 1964 Civil implemented full federal power sincerity. 11 question, then, ability even desire guarantee free abroad. maintain country's cry 'preserve world' hypocritical mask behind squashes movements bound, refuse be bound expediencies cold war policies. 12 sympathy with, support, men unwilling respond military draft would compel contribute lives aggression name 'freedom' we find so false country. 13 recoil horror inconsistency supposedly 'free' society where equated lend oneself aggression. take note fact 16 per cent draftees Negroes called stifle preserve 'democracy' does exist home. 14 ask, fight States? therefore encourage those Americans prefer use energy building democratic forms movement relations valid alternative draft. urge all seek alternative, knowing cost lives—as painfully Nam.' 15 same day issued, interviewed telephone reporter local radio station, and, although had participated drafting statement, endorsed words: 'Why, I endorse it, first, like think myself pacifist one opposes any eager anxious participate reason they choose; secondly, agree set forth sorta fighting liberty places guaranteeing citizens inside continental States. 'Well, fights don't second class citizen requirement support war. my oppose things wrong if New York, Chicago, wherever.' 18 When interviewer suggested 'if do stop Communism there will next,' replied: 19 'Oh, no, I'm taking stand against stopping World Communism, favor Cong. What saying is, That particular particular, ought it. Because war, get along without draft—England one—and see why couldn't, too. 20 '* * about justify it's International whatever—you know, happen basic disagreement wars whatever fought—* (F)ought promote reason. Cong much Nam. live If lived might sort expression, but happens here—not there.' 21 asked felt could oath office required Constitution, responded saw nothing inconsistent between oath. adhere were declared become treasonous. He replied did strong enough place position I'd guilty treason.' Before scheduled convene, petitions challenging Bond's seated filed 75 members. These charged gave aid comfort enemies Georgia, violated laws, tended bring discredit disrespect House. further contended endorsement SNCC 'is totally completely repugnant mandatory prescribed Constitution Member before seat.' For reasons, asserted appeared sworn in, clerk refused administer him until issues raised challenge decided. 22 response stated willingness argued unable good faith. seating deprive First Amendment racially motivated. A special committee appointed report challenge, hearing hend determine exactly what said intentions 23 At hearing, only testimony given himself committee. Both opponents becoming District testified character loyalty recording interview after played, cross-examination. admitted elaborated views. concurred 'without reservation,' admired courage burn cards, responded: 24 'I admire action, feel strongly convictions action consequences face, original question. 25 counseled advocated person card. fact, mine pocket produce you wish. advocate should break simply try say someone act faces pretty stiff consequences.' 26 Tapes press give heard interview, stated: 27 today entering into public discussion matters National interest. hesitate offer explanations actions deeds charge levied me chosen speak mind explanation for, member House, ever, knowledge, upon explain postures prerequisite admission Body. therefore, constituents counselled burning nor burned mine. congressionally outlined alternatives service extended democracy posture life years calculated formulation election lessen duty express opinions differ held others. As current controversy arrived through examination conscience decided personally cannot 28 here oath—that took there—that dispel doubts loyalty.' 29 general approval specific charges supplementary remarks showed 'does not' Constitutions 'adheres State Georgia' contrary gives States, Universal Military Training Act, § 12, 62 Stat. 622, 50 U.S.C. App. 462, 'are reprehensible tend House.' adopted findings elaborating lack qualifications, resolved 184 'Bond shall Representative-Elect Representatives.' 30 instituted Court Northern injunctive relief declaratory judgment unauthorized under Amendment. three-judge convened 2281. All three members court jurisdiction decide constitutionality substantial rights.1 merits, however, divided. 31 Judges Bell Morgan, writing majority court, addressed themselves first state disqualify based conclusion sincerely office. They reasoned separation-of-powers principles Legislature insist qualifications addition specified Constitution. pointed out limits legislators expressed constitution. 32 Having concluded authorized law, considered disqualification constitutional speech. It decisions involving political offices supported attitude restraint separation powers federalism balanced alleged deprivation individual rights. basis, below fashioned test applied refusal seat procedural termed substantive due process. satisfied process, rational evidentiary basis ruling private limited decision Moreover, concluded, related went beyond criticism national provided speaker faith Constitutions: 33 'A violate objecting calling did. 34 'But this. call race; alien concept pluralistic makes nation. aligns *' refers *.' 'Vietnamese law.' alleges Negroes, referring servicemen, 35 denied seat, language supports draft.'2 36 Judge Tuttle dissented.3 courts, courts construe possible, avoid unnecessary issues. Since matter 37 appealed directly 1253. While appeal pending, Governor fill vacancy caused exclusion. entered won over-whelmingly. recess, Rules declined recant earlier statements. Consequently, again prevented office, remained vacant. sought regular 1966 election, Democratic primary September over-whelming November 8, 1966.4 38 sets number provisions dealing eligibility legislators. provide least age, two years, residents year counties elected.5 provides convicted treason State, crime moral turpitude, enumerated crimes hold State.6 Idiots insane barred office,7 holding eligible either house.8 provides: 39 'Election, returns, etc.; disorderly conduct.—Each judge punish behavior, misconduct, censure, fine, imprisonment, expulsion; expelled, except two-thirds belongs.'9 40 constitute concedes meets them. Constitution: 41 'Oath members.—Each senator oath, affirmation, to-wit: questions measures come me, conduct myself, will, judgment, conducive interests prosperity State."10 42 points brief latter admonition best standard judged. 43 claim imposed Art. VI, cl. 3, 44 Senators mentioned, Members several Legislatures, executive judicial Officers, Oath Affirmation, Constitution; religious Tests ever Qualification Office Trust States.' 45 Instead, argues additional qualification. legislature exclusive look plain meaning merely require oaths taken. This extend determining review whenever disqualifies Representative; admits that, excluded legislator racial clearly unconstitutional grounds, (or state) judiciary justified testing exclusion standards.11 But can doubt qualification Legislatures Article VI contends suggests ensure servants making Thus legislature's prospective conscientiously Constitutions. 46 persuaded State's attempt distinguish, purposes jurisdiction, grounds distinction case, grounded standard—the contention utilized infringe assumption which, color proper standard, 47 conclude entire deprived move central posed case—whether speech Fourteenth 48 right, condition course swear record uncontradicted repeatedly Nor swears pro forma while declaring manifesting indifference Thus, quarrel authorize sincerity another uphold Such restrict colleagues guise judging Certainly protects expressions system. contend otherwise. opposition, violations advocating demonstrates declines argue made citizen, though protected nonetheless apply stricter agree. 49 U.S.C.App. 462(a), punishes 'counsels, aids, abets evade registration.'12 worst unclear means draft,' alone interpreted unlawful drafted. resolve opaqueness legal draft, evidence contrary. explained 'because choose.' categorically favored Communists; loyal Special 'feel face.' pressed admiration 51 clarification demonstrate incitement No useful purpose served discussing many establish consistently See, e.g., Wood v. 370 375, 82 1364, 569 (1962); Yates 354 298, 77 1064, 1356 (1957); Terminiello City 337 1, 69 894, 93 L.Ed. 1131 (1949). found overtones outside protection race case. 52 attempts circumvent afford arguing exacting higher citizens. course, difference treatment interest requiring belief processes government, surely limiting legislators' capacity discuss views policy.13 manifest function representative widest latitude policy. commitment Amendment, summarized York Times Sullivan, 376 254, 270, 84 710, 721, 686 (1964), 'debate uninhibited, robust, wide-open.' rationale disposes fell range protection. Just erroneous must expression breathing space survive, implementation similarly protected. principle encouraging debate governmental operations applies citizencritic government. sides hardly advanced extending more citizen-critics Legislators obligation positions controversial constitutents fully informed them, better able assess office; represented debates represent disposition need amici.14 53 reversed. 54 Reversed. reported 251 F.Supp. 333 (1966). Id., 344. 345. oral argument moot since session longer existence. ressed argument, so, stipulated succeeds receive back salary term excluded. Const., (§ 2—1801, Ga.Code Ann.). 2, 2—801, Ibid. 2—1606, 2—1901, 2—1605, See Gomillion Lightfoot, 364 339, 81 125, 110 (1960), 'When exercises wholly domain interest, insulated review. insulation carried over used instrument circumventing federally right.' U.S., 347, S.Ct., 130. pertinent 462(a) follows: '(A)ny knowingly make, party making, certificate regarding bearing classification request classification, title *, rules, regulations, directions pursuant thereto, otherwise evades refuses registration armed forces requirements counsels, directions, hinder interfere way, force otherwise, administration rules regulations conspires commit offenses, shall, conviction district competent punished imprisonment fine $10,000, Madison Hamilton anticipated oppressive effect result utilize pass legislator's Constitutional Convention 1787, opposed proposal Congress general. Warren, Making 420—422 (1937). Journal 1787 states: 'Mr. Section vesting improper & dangerous Legislature. electors fundamental articles Republican Govt. fixed regulate either, degrees subvert Qualifications founded artificial distinctions devised, stronger order keep partizans weaker faction. observed British Parliamt. possessed regulating electors, elected; abuse lesson worthy attention. changes cases subservient views, Religious parties.' Farrand, Records pp. 249—250 (Aug. 1787). agreed that: choose defined constitution; unalterable legislature.' Federalist, 60, p. 409 (Cooke ed. 1961). allows unconstitutionally vague, bill attainder ex post facto addition, amicus briefs add arguments inextricably prejudice republican form clause. Similarly, standing joined suit below. dismissed complaint lacked sufficiently direct standing. noted appropriate dismiss every necessary concrete adverseness

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