Document: 346 U.S. 100 73 S.Ct. 1007 97 L.Ed. 1480 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIAv.JOHN R. THOMPSON CO., Inc. No. 617. Argued April 30 and May 1, 1953. Decided June 8, [Syllabus from pages 100-101 intentionally omitted] Mr. Chester H. Gray, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. Ringgold Hart, respondent. Philip Elman, amicus curiae, by special leave of Court. Edward F. Colladay, Washington Board Trade, Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion 1 This is a criminal proceeding prosecuted information against respondent refusal to serve certain members Negro race at one if its restaurants in District Columbia solely on account color those persons. The four counts, first charging violation Act Legislative Assembly Columbia,1 20, 1872, others violations Columbia,2 26, 1873, L.Dist.Col.1871—1873, pp. 65, 116. Each makes it crime discriminate person or refuse service him that ground. 2 Municipal Court quashed ground 1872 1873 Acts had been repealed implication enactment Congress Organic 11, 1878, 20 Stat. 102. On appeal Appeals held were valid when enacted, former insofar as applies restaurants, repealed, but latter was still effect. It therefore affirmed dismissed count based reversed other counts. 81 A.2d 249. cross-appeal, unenforceable entire should be dismissed. 92 U.S.App.D.C. —-, 203 F.2d 579. case here certiorari. I. 3 history congressional legislation dealing with begins July 16, 1790, 130, which established permanent seat Government United States. We need not review purposes this variety enactments pertaining management affairs between date 1871. February 21, 1871, 16 419, we are particularly concerned. 4 That created government name Columbia, constituted 'a body corporate municipal purposes' all powers corporation 'not inconsistent Constitution laws States provisions act', gave jurisdiction over territory within limits District. § 1. , vested 'legislative power authority' consisting Council House Delegates, appointed President advice consent Senate Delegates elected male citizens residing §§ 5, 7. act provided, exceptions material here,3 'the legislative shall extend rightful subjects said District, consistent act'. 18. All acts made subject times 'to repeal modification' Congress. And provided nothing construed deprive legislation' 'in ample manner law enacted.' Executive governor Senate. 2. have Representatives an delegate having same rights privileges delegates federal territories. 34. 5 (which short-lived4) characterized 'territorial government.' Eckloff v. 135 240, 241, 10 752, 34 120. analogy apt one. grant 18 extends substantially identical territorial governments reads: 'The every Territory States.' R.S. 1851. 6 Territories phrased very similar language Constitution. Article I, cl. 17 provides Power * To exercise exclusive Legislation Cases whatsoever, such (not exceeding ten Miles square) may, Cession particular States, Acceptance Congress, become Seat States'. IV, 3, grants authority territories following words: 7 dispose make needful Rules Regulations respecting Property belonging *.' 8 well settled. Simms Simms, 175 162, 168, 58, 60, 44 115; Binns 194 486, 491, 24 816, 817, 48 1087; Christianson King County, 239 356, 365, 36 114, 118, 60 327. constitutionally (subject course right revise, alter, revoke,' Hornbuckle Toombs, Wall. 648, 655, 21 966, covers matters 'which, state, regulated state only.'5 supra, page 60. 9 self-government under Art. would seem great do so But majority judges constitutional 'municipal' 'general' being nature civil legislation, fell group alone enact. In reaching conclusion relied upon two decisions Court, Stoutenburgh Hennick, 129 141, 256, 32 637, Metropolitan Co. 132 19, 33 231. these cases involved imposing license tax businesses held, Robbins Taxing Shelby 120 489, 592, 694, could applied representative Maryland company soliciting orders Columbia. result same, indicates, rather than enacted law. So, while true spoke prescribe 'local regulation' 'general legislation,' words setting suggest no more difference local hand national matters, interstate commerce, other. second cases, 231, presented question capacity sue. might so, noting separate political community', sovereign lodged subordinate character, may city corporations, corporation, bodies sovereign. Crimes committed crimes Therefore, sense, called qualified sense.' 9, 22. there suggestion lacks home rule 11 relates only 'national power' 'all exercised affairs'. Atlantic Cleaners & Dyers 286 427, 435, 52 607, 609, 76 1204. see 147, 256. There reason why chooses, fashion basic corporations. Barnes 91 540, 544, 23 440, construing presently concerned, stated: 12 'A duties, including most strictly internal, department State. legislature give capable receiving, making miniature State locality.' 13 theory underlies some states allowing cities rule.6 So decision after has delegated municipalities broad police except restricted terms constitution. See McQuillin, Law Corporations (3d ed. 1949), 16.02 et seq. certainly far Federal concerned doubt prohibits discrimination basis use facilities serving public function states. Railway Mail Ass'n Corsi, 326 88, 93—94, 65 1483, 1487, 89 2072; Bob-Lo Excursion People Michigan, 333 28, 34, 68 358, 361, 455. then delegation both barrier full limitations lawmaking subservient also any time revoke granted. 14 is, however, 'To Legislation' granted nondelegable because 'exclusive.' clear provision word 'exclusive' employed eliminate possibility concurrent ceding Federalist, 43; Elliott's Debates, 432—433; Story, Commentaries (4th 1873), 1218. Madison summed up follows: 15 'Let me remark, already remarked, must cession, states, district settle cession. what stipulation they please it, and, apprehend danger, altogether. Howe general guarded undue influence insults, without power?' Elliott's, op. cit., p. 433. conclude 1871 'rightful meaning include prohibiting discriminations Negroes owners managers II. survived, think, subsequent changes remain today part governing applicable abolished 1874, governed Commission. Revised Statutes relating approved 1874,7 kept force prior ordinances chapter, modified assembly District'. 91. Those followed present 102, now effect.' find 1874 nor 1878 question. intervening effect them. Nor briefs oral argument litigated, did survive 1878. indeed appears precluded anti-discrimination As 7, 22 says powers' ceased thereafter confined mere administration.' 19 Commissioners Joint Resolution 1892, 27 394, respects 'reasonable usual regulations'.8 their ever supplant new different ordinances. Rather Code 1901, 31 1189. Section 1636 part: 'All parts nature, like applying day passage hereby except: *. 'Third. organization government, obligations, duties subordinates employees, regulations, generally only, regulating charges public-service *' permanent' saved exceptions. Department presents elaborate argument, 1901 Code, 1636. lines analysis quite shadowy; difficult agree contrasted statutes private, special, temporary. sense believe used Code. conclude, Third exception clause quoted above. our view 'police regulations' 'relating affairs' Cella, 37 App.D.C. 433, providing prosecutions penal said, ordinance regulations peculiarly inhabitants place; words, character.' 25 require equal who eat character health, schools, streets, parks. Johnson 520, cruelty animals regulation court interest peace order' conducive morals welfare community.' 522. Regulation eating drinking establishments beginning.9 firmly identified restaurants. 26 remains consideration whether abandoned non-use administrative practice. reason. agree. failure executive branch enforce does modification repeal. Louisville N.R. 282 740, 759, 51 297, 304, 75 672; Morton Salt Co., 338 632, 647, 70 357, 366, 94 401. much enactment.10 dates Assembly. seen, done so. 28 pass alter withdrew government. 1892 given regulations'.11 1873. Stevens Stoutenburgh, 513. For noted, matter plainly scope regulation. passed argued withdrawn 1901. pointed out acts, ordinances, repealed;12 drawn amend 29 unnecessary resolve even assume replace ones, indication Certainly purported modify which, measure restaurant owner's duty, standard conflict licensing years regard requirements Acts, licenses forfeited set aside Acts. safety, sanitary measures.13 They purport complete codification contain neither requirement segregated treated discrimination. us where neglects refuses long prescribed legislature. troublesome through changed Commissioners. provide machinery granting revocation licenses. regulatory prescribing public. Upon conviction violating provisions, penalties imposed. fine addition forfeiture renewal year. unlike laid restaurants,14 conditions issuance license. Like wages hours work, employment minors, flameproof draperies,15 merely regulate licensed business. modify, laws.16 can discover removed them existing hardship put disuse longer known exist enforced innocent parties. condition bear continuing validity law; ameliorating factor enforcement. survived enforceable. speak accurately survived. subsidiary question, reach will open remand cause Appeals, Act. express opinion. Reversed. 35 JACKSON took case. 'That keeper proprietor, hotel proprietors keepers ice-cream saloons places soda-water sale, barber shops bathing houses, refusing sell wait respectable well-behaved person, race, color, previous servitude, restaurant, hotel, saloon soda fountain, shop bathing-house keepers, proprietors, pretext well-behaved, room, prices persons served, deemed guilty misdemeanor, jurisdiction, fined hundred dollars, forfeit his her owner saloon, be, lawful Register officer issue persons, agent agents, act, until period year elapsed forfeiture.' Sections posting schedule filing schedules proprietor eating-house, bar-room, sample-room, soda-fountain room common charged him, her, them, contained printed cards papers, article thing sale desire thereof, rooms served allowed drink place establishment'. $100 prohibition reissuance forfeiture. (Italics supplied.) imposed denied designated 'special laws' divorces, remission fines, penalties, forfeitures, changing descent, creating bank circulation, authorizing notes circulation money currency. 17. Temporary 116, substituted temporary three President. form placed An government' Past Present—A History (1930), vol. 130—141. sustained subjects: Clinton Englebrecht, 434, 659 (regulation methods obtaining jury panels); Snow 317, 85 784 (provision attorney general, legislature, represent prosecute laws); 966 procedure courts); Maynard Hill, 125 190, 723, 654 (statute divorce); Cope Cope, 137 682, 222, 832 intestate succession property); Atchison, T. S.F.R. Sowers, 213 55, 397, 53 695 (limitation sue personal injuries); Company, 327 escheat). Ariz.Const., XIII, 2; Calif.Const., XI, 11; Colo.Const., XX, 6; Mich.Const., VIII, 21; Minn.Const. 36, M.S.A.; Mo.Const., VI, 19; Neb.Const., 2—4; New York Const., IX, 12; Ohio XVIII, 3; Okla.Const., 3(a); Ore.Const., Tex.Const., Vernon's Ann.St.; Wash.Const., 10; W.Va.Const., 39(a); Wis.Const., art. 3. Fordham Asher, Home Rule Powers Theory Practice, L.J. 18; McGoldrick, Practice (1933). Although compilation carries notation 'Approved 22, 1874,' actually bill 1874. Journal, 43rd First Sess., 1286—1287. authorized reasonable deem necessary protection lives, limbs, comfort quiet property Columbia.' earlier January 1887, 368, 'usual specified matters. 1802, 195 (empowering City 'retailers liquors'); 24, 1804, 254 (authorizing council regulate, exclusively, hackney coaches, ordinary retailers ferries'); 15, 1820, 583 'for licensing, taxing, regulating, auctions, retailers, ordinaries'). Snowden Snowden, Md., Bland 550, 556; Pearson International Distillery, 72 Iowa 348, N.W. type problem Trade Commission Bunte Bros., 312 349, 352, 61 580, 582, 881, want assertion significant determining conferred. fact attempts irrelevant statutory construction, since unlawful he Negro. note supra. provided: included foregoing exceptions, replaced code.' Moreover, 1640 'Nothing repealing code affect operation enforcement regulation, with, by, businesses, D.C.Code (1951) 47—2301, 47—2327. promulgate Id., 47—2345. Police (1944) various e.g., certificate obtained health 'premises proper condition,' XVII, garbage disposal, XXI, 2, draperies decorations fireproof, 1942, promulgated 'Regulations Governing Establishment Maintenance Restaurants, Delicatessens, Catering Establishments These amended 23, 1951, impose sanitation structures, fixtures, utensils, personnel comply $300 violations. numerous measures food. 33—101 seq.; 22—3416 Restaurants alcoholic beverages 25—101 13, mandatory operate once established. More recent laws, revoked. 47—2302, 47—2327, Sec. 47 2345 'when, judgment, desirable decency comfort, sufficient.' Special selling 25—111, 25—115, 25—118. Whether superseded distinct intimate Even effected later unaffected mandate racial grounds

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