Document: 342 U.S. 429 72 S.Ct. 394 96 L.Ed. 475 DOREMUS et al.v.BOARD OF EDUCATION BOROUGH HAWTHORNE al. No. 9. Argued Jan. 31, 1952. Decided March 3, Mr. Heyman Zimel, Paterson, N.J., for appellants. Messrs. Henry F. Schenk, Theodore D. Parsons, Trenton, appellee. Justice JACKSON delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This action a declaratory judgment on question federal constitutional law was prosecuted in state courts New Jersey. It sought to declare invalid statute that State which provides reading, without comment, five verses Old Testament at opening each public-school day. N.J.Rev.Stat., 1937, 18:14—77, N.J.S.A. No issue raised under Constitution, but Act claimed violate clause First Amendment Federal Constitution prohibiting establishment religion. 2 trial held and we have no findings fact, court denied relief merits basis pleadings pretrial conference, record contains meager notes. The Supreme Court Jersey, appeal, rendered its does not spite jurisdictional doubts it pointed out condoned as follows: 'No one is before us asserting his religious practices been interfered with or right worship accordance dictates conscience has suppressed. sect party cause. representative of, spokesman for, body attacked here below. One plaintiffs 'a citizen taxpayer'; only interest he asserts just those words, set forth complaint followed by specification proof. conceded taxpayer, charged neither nor proved brief interruption day's schoolding caused compliance adds cost school expenses varies more than an incomputable scintilla economy work. other plaintiff, addition being daughter, aged seventeen, who student school. Those facts are asserted, but, case co-plaintiff, violated rights urged. practice required conflicts convictions either mother daughter. Apparently sole purpose function they shall assume role actors so there may be suit will invoke ruling upon constitutionality statute. Respondents urge circumstances moot plaintiffs-appellants our properly used justification such proceeding. Cf. Jersey Turnpike Authority v. 3 N.J. 235, 69 A.2d 875; Commonwealth Massachusetts Mellon (1923), 262 447, page 488, 43 597, 67 1078, 1085. point substance nevertheless concluded dispose appeal merits.' 1950, 5 435, 439, 75 880, 881—882. Upon this Court, considered appellants' statement instead nothing probable jurisdiction, ordered 'Further consideration jurisdiction motion dismiss affirm postponed hearing On further study, thus indicated ripen into conviction should reaching question. 4 view taken below, though entitled respect, bind make independent examination record. Doing so, find substantial support did Appellants, apparently seeking bring themselves within Illinois ex rel. McCollum Board Education School Dist. 71, 333 203, 68 461, 92 648, assert challenge two capacities—one parent child subject it, both taxpayers burdened because requirements. In parent-and-school-child relationship, alleged appellant Klein seventeen-year-old pupil Hawthorne High School, where Bible reading practiced pursuant Act. That all. There assertion she injured even offended thereby compelled accept, approve confess agreement any dogma creed listen when Scriptures were read. contrary, stipulation student, own parents' request, could excused during excuse asked. However, agreed argument had graduated from public schools Obviously decision render now would protect once had, sit decide arguments after events put them rest. United States Alaska Steamship Co., 253 113, 116, 40 448, 449, 64 808. 6 similarly niggardly taxpayer's grievance. Doremus taxpayer Township Rutherford, relation litigation disclosed familiar local geography. Borough high supported funds. read, according allegation activity separate tax paid particular appropriation sum whatever conducting information given what kind taxes appellants averment increases do pay are, will, possibly can pocket it. 7 defense showed standing maintain perhaps premonitions success, waived acquiesced determination Whether amount justifiable controversy decisive jurisdiction. 8 interests moneys treasury too indeterminable, remote, uncertain indirect furnish preventive powers over their manner expenditure. Alabama Power Co. Ickes, 302 464, 478—479, 58 300, 303, 82 374; Mellon, 486 seq., 600, 1078. latter recognized, however, 'The municipality application direct immediate remedy injunction prevent misuse inappropriate.' 486, 601. Indeed, number states provide decisional causes entertained courts. Crampton Zabriskie, 101 601, 609, 25 1070. See supra, 600. Without disparaging availability restrain unconstitutional acts result pecuniary injury, reiterate said equally true assailed: invokes power must able show, invalid, sustained immediately danger sustaining some injury enforcement, merely suffers come indefinite way common people generally.' 9 found justiciable Everson Education, 330 1, 504, 91 711. But measurable disbursement school-district funds occasioned solely activities complained of. not. 10 We undertake say regarded advisory. But, cast terms 'case controversy,' cannot accept review, conclusive disposition procedure constitute such. 11 meet test, good-faith pocketbook action. apparent grievance litigate dollars-and-cents difference. If established requisite special necessary controversy, matter dominant inducement mercenary. motivation possession financial is, threatened be, conduct. here. give rise legal behalf, obtain feigned taxation. 12 granted. 13 DOUGLAS, whom REED BURTON concur, dissenting. 14 I think deserves merits. group interested operation management parents whose children attend them. Certainly all enjoin authorized board vital parties interest. They present done, pay. if contentions merits, establish deflected educational program raised. seems me adequate maintenance taxpayers. reason why less not, same. issues feigned; collusive; mismanagement system clear plain. 15 law, maintained fashion her rules governing institution suits wants these status sue (by analogy shareholders ultra vires corporation) see And clash real strong here, odd indeed hold meaning art. III, § Constitution.

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