Document: 354 U.S. 234 77 S.Ct. 1203 1 L.Ed.2d 1311 Paul M. SWEEZY, Appellant,v.STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE by Louis C. WYMAN, Attorney General. No. 175. Argued March 5, 1957. Decided June 17, Mr. Thomas I. Emerson, for the appellant. Wyman, Atty. Gen. of New Hampshire, Manchester, N.H., appellee. Chief Justice WARREN announced judgment Court and delivered an opinion, in which BLACK, DOUGLAS, BRENNAN join. This case, like Watkins v. United States, 178, 1173, brings before us a question concerning constitutional limits legislative inquiry. The investigation here was conducted under aegis state legislature, rather than House Congress. places controversy slightly different setting from that Watkins. ultimate is whether deprived Sweezy due process law Fourteenth Amendment. For reasons to be set out this we conclude record case does not sustain power State compel disclosures witness refused make. 2 brought as appeal 28 U.S.C. § 1257(2), U.S.C.A. 1257(2). Jurisdiction alleged rest upon contentions, rejected courts, statute Hampshire repugnant Constitution States. We postponed decision on jurisdiction until consideration merits. 352 812, 49. parties neither briefed nor argued jurisdictional question. appellant has thus failed meet his burden showing properly invoked. therefore dismissed. Treating papers petition writ certiorari, 2103, granted. Cf. Union National Bank Wichita, Kan. Lamb, 337 38, 39—40, 69 911, 912, 93 L.Ed. 1190. 3 petitioner summoned testify had its origins passed legislature 1951.1 It comprehensive scheme regulation subversive activities. There section defining criminal conduct nature sedition. 'Subversive organizations' were declared unlawful ordered dissolved. persons' made ineligible employment government. Included disability those employed teachers or other capacities any public educational institution. A loyalty program instituted eliminate 'subversive among government personnel. All present employees, well candidates elective office future, required make sworn statements they persons.' 4 In 1953, adopted 'Joint Resolution Relating Investigation Subversive Activities.'2 resolved: 5 'That attorney general hereby authorized directed full complete with respect violations activities act 1951 determine persons defined said are presently located within state. own motion such information may reasonable reliable * *. 6 'The proceed prosecutions whenever evidence presented him course indicates thereof, he shall report 1955 session first day regular results investigation, together recommendations, if any, necessary legislation.'3 7 Under law, construed constitute General one-man committee.4 He given authority delegate part member staff. conferred further subpoena witnesses documents. did have hold contempt, however. event coercive punitive sanctions needed, could invoke aid Superior find recalcitrant contempt court.5 8 Petitioner appear two separate occasions. On January 1954, testified at length past associations. denied ever been Communist Party overthrow force violence. interrogation ranged over many matters, petitioner's World War II military service Office Strategic Services sponsorship, 1949, Scientific Cultural Conference Peace, spoke. 9 During inquiry, declined answer several questions. His doing so statement read Committee outset hearing.6 would questions pertinent subject inquiry transgress limitations First keeping stand, disclose knowledge Progressive whom acquainted organization.7 No action taken answers these 10 again 3, 1954. more about witness' prior contacts Communists. lays great stress article co-authored. deplored use violence States capitalist countries attempting preserve social order writers thought must inevitably fall. resistance, continued, will met oncoming socialism, less condemned morally capitalism since purpose create 'truly human society.' affirmed styled himself 'classical Marxist' 'socialist' expressed continuing opinion. 11 Again, second hearing, asked, answer, Party, predecessor, Citizens America. Those were: 12 'Was she, Nancy Sweezy, your wife, active formation America?' 13 then working individuals who members Party?' 14 Charles Beebe forming 15 Hampshire?' 16 'Did work wife—Did wife 1947?' 17 it (a meeting home Abraham Walenko Weare during 1948) anything do 18 also turned yet occurred time hearing. 22, lecture class 100 students humanities University Hampshire. talk invitation faculty teaching course. addressed invitations preceding years well. following questions: 19 'What lecture?' 20 'Didn't you tell Monday, Socialism inevitable country?' advocate Marxism time?' 21 express 22 last former lectures espouse theory dialectical materialism?' 23 Distinct categories one opinions. asked: 'Do believe Communism?' already never but opinion belief. 24 adhered proceeding same answering maintained matter infringed area protected 25 Following hearings, petitioned Merrimack County, forth circumstances appearance refusal certain questions.8 prayed court propound witness. After hearing argument, ruled above pertinent.9 called persisted reasons. adjudged committed county jail purged contempt. 26 Supreme affirmed. N.H. 103, 121 A.2d 783. Its discusses only classes witness: dealing mention single belief Communism. view what controlling issue however, unnecessary resolve affirmatively particular included Court. 27 no doubt investigations, federal level, capable encroaching liberties individuals. particularly important exercise compulsory carefully circumscribed when investigative tends impinge highly sensitive areas freedom speech press, political association, communication ideas, academic community. Responsibility proper investigations rests, course, itself. If assembly chooses authorize inquiries behalf legislatively created committee, basic responsibility carries forward include duty adequate supervision actions committee. safeguard can nullified committee invested broad ill-defined jurisdiction. authorizing resolution becomes especially significant reveals amount discretion governed provisions Activities Act 1951.10 instructed look into Act. addition, far sweeping mandate there persons, Act, That statute, therefore, measures breadth scope us. 29 gradations conduct. Our interest minimal requirements definition outline reach. According person person' he, means, aids commission intended assist alteration form violence.11 possible remoteness armed insurrection satisfy criteria obvious language. goes beyond engaged efforts designed alter declares, effect, assistant caught up definition. chain attains increased significance light lack element guilty either stage assistants. held encompasses specified '* done 'knowingly willfully *." Nelson 99 33, 39, 105 756, 763. potential sweep extends remotely related actual subversion completely free conscious intent activity. 30 statute's broad. An association group temporarily permanently associated together, joint advancement views subject.12 organization deemed abet, advise teach 31 situation respects analogous Wieman Updegraff, 344 183, 73 215, 97 216. oath prescribed Oklahoma all officers employees violated Due Process Clause because entailed membership organizations without scienter. cannot, bar disloyal employ, exclude solely basis organizational membership, regardless their belonged. said: 32 'There dispute consequences visited excluded disloyalty grounds. community, stain deep one; indeed, become badge infamy. Especially cold war hot emotions 'each man begins eye neighbor enemy.' Yet fact alone determines disqualification; matters existed innocently knowingly. To inhibit individual movement stifle flow democratic expression chief sources.' pages 190—191, page 218. 33 sanction emanating kind loss employment. But stamp just deep. inhibiting effect directly affected touched subtly equally grave. here, Wieman, rooting drawn regard presence absence affected. 34 revealed case. delved minutely petitioner, thereby making private life record. questioning investigators thoroughly prepared interview acquiring new much corroborating data possession. majority questions, cooperative, even though clear unjustified unconstitutional. Two subjects arose answer: adherents. 35 courts upheld attempt investigate ground might indicate person.' What taught university found relevant character teacher. possibility sustainable university. warrant that. 110, 789, 790. sole scrutinize teacher person, stand fall basis. 36 come General's party shown organization.' participation named which, given, determining predecessor organizations.' 112, 791. 37 concluded right associate others common purpose, otherwise, guaranteed every citizen Federal Constitutions absolute rights Legislature connection contents purposes undoubtedly interfered defendant's liberties.' 113, 791, 792. 38 conceded extended discussion constitutionally freedoms abridged through investigation. These conclusions seriously debated. Merely summon him, against will, expressions associations measure governmental interference matters. safeguarded Bill Rights unquestionably invasion expression—areas should extremely reticent tread. 39 essentiality community American universities almost self-evident. underestimate vital role democracy played guide train our youth. impose strait jacket intellectual leaders colleges imperil future Nation. field education comprehended discoveries cannot made. Particularly true sciences, where few, principles accepted absolutes. Scholarship flourish atmosphere suspicion distrust. Teachers always remain inquire, study evaluate, gain maturity understanding; otherwise civilization stagnate die. 40 Equally manifest fundamental principle society individual. built premise engage association. enshrined Amendment Rights. Exercise America traditionally media Any simultaneously ideas channeled programs major parties. History amply proved virtue activity minority, dissident groups, innumerable times vanguard whose ultimately accepted. Mere unorthodoxy dissent prevailing mores condemned. voices symptom grave illness society. 41 Notwithstanding undeniable importance areas, consider abridgment vitiated court, 'the lies determination object justify restriction imposed 113—114, justification legislature's judgment, resolution, exists menace need informed elemental self-preservation outweighed deprivation process. 42 now conceive circumstance wherein infringement fields. reach decide itself recognized weakness conclusion forcible justified sacrificing rights. missing link reasoning. syllogism complete. nothing connect State. interrogated relationship vital, revealing interest. 43 this, emphasized factor confined undertake limitation stem resolution's condition precedent institution reliable.' mean something probable cause conducting likely device prove unwarranted inquiries. necessity left investigator. reveal led petitioner. relied description possession.13 44 respective roles investigator considerable eminently direction agency. uncertain picks pursued, asked. circumstance, stated authoritatively asked gather facts comprised interrogated. 45 Instead known desired, insulated vitally Incorporating reference act, told General, screen citizenry bring anyone fits expansive definitions. 46 Within very useful. deal want need. deem desirable have, some validly acquire citizens. Separating wheat chaff, standpoint object, judgment. delegated task 47 As result, assurance category wanted initiated judiciary placed untenable position. Lacking elementary wants answered recognizing jeopardy, approve disapprove incarceration 48 view, clear. deny violate guarantee underlies action. Thus, wholly unrelated preclude endangering liberties. equivalent indications attempted elicit treated authority. follows power, notwithstanding rights, accordance 49 reached grounded doctrine separation powers. Government, powers three branches: Executive, Legislative Judicial. contention arrogated executive judicial accept finding investigating proceedings. Moreover, concept embodied mandatory governments. Dreyer People Illinois, 187 71, 28, 79; cf. Tenney Brandhove, 341 367, 378, 71 783, 95 1019. direct insofar causes denial law. 50 reversed. 51 Reversed. 52 WHITTAKER took 53 FRANKFURTER, HARLAN joins, concurring result. 54 me 1173. comes limited review claims precludes compelling put arm legislature. Ours narrowly exceedingly difficult final accommodation between competing weighty underlie 55 assessing claim concern ourselves chose standing extent 'subversive' bounds. judged whole body demanded deepest inroads system appropriate distribution delegation forty-eight earlier Harlan unanimous 84, 32, 79: 56 'Whether legislative, kept altogether distinct separate, collections belonging department may, exert strictly speaking, pertain another government, And way respected representatives involving liberty.' Whether operate largely committees, Congress, committees exception, Commons, chambers one, Nebraska, State's pardoning branch provide trial jury, reviewing Similarly, acted State, agency Congress confines mandate. See Rumely, 345 41, 543, 770. Sanction rests Court, validation binding here. 57 Pursuant both houses subpoenaed 8, extensive questioning. Among questioned details career personal life, attended meetings, meetings knew members, Communists connections list cited Un-American Representatives them, supported assisted groups so, connected list, written variety allegedly subversive, causes, conferences, periodicals, petitions, attempts raise funds legal defense positions it, candidate Presidential Elector influenced sponsored candidacy Henry A. Wallace, advocated replacing economic system, conception socialism involved violence, writings advance Soviet Union's 'propaganda line,' Liberal Club magazine co-editor 'a Communist-line publication,' persons. 58 most plain Communist, violent knowingly socialist believer peaceful change belonged (which Party) Committee. irrelevant violative guaranties repeatedly, influence signing oath, know leader Party. 59 Despite exhaustive similarly sweeping. virtually including laws, antecedent, refused, regarding (1) (2) organizations, (3) 'opinions beliefs,' invoking guarantees speech. 60 categories. pertaining beliefs.' Upon sanctioned 61 provision permitted frustrate demands. 62 lecture, third humanities, 63 64 65 66 67 68 'I file class, I don't think am fishing. 'His inevitability Socialist program. glossed-over interpretation materialist dialectic.' Now, ask original question.' response series, hearing: 70 say thing connection, Wyman. my that, repeat furher aim overthrowing gave anywhere. Aside although (100 114, 792) 'undoubtedly exercise' occur 'in reasonably existing being taught, planned, justifies intrusion civil committee's affiliation stating authors hated used countries. 72 When weighed harm resulting university, discuss appears grossly inadequate. Government Progress natural sciences findings laboratory. Insights mysteries born hypothesis speculation. pursuit understanding groping endeavors problems preoccupations anthropology, economics, psychology, sociology scholarship merely departmentalized dealing, manageable division analysis, interpenetrating aspects holistic perplexities. society's good—if essential society—inquiries problems, speculations stimulation reflection unfettered possible. Political abstain freedom, pursued wise people's well-being, except exigent obviously compelling. 74 burdened proof, based testimony cloud impressive witnesses, dependence universities. means exclusion intervention little occurs avowedly check ardor fearlessness scholars, qualities once fragile indispensable fruitful labor. One refer address T. H. Huxley opening Johns Hopkins University, Annual Reports President Lawrence Lowell Harvard, Grants Great Britain, illustrative items vast literature. Suffice quote latest subject. perhaps poignant plea spirit open South Africa gone unheeded. 75 'In end, end. ceases tool Church sectional characterized ideal Socrates—'to follow argument leads.' implies examine, question, modify reject traditional beliefs. Dogma incompatible, immutable scholars add revise relation framework, examining modifying framework 76 'Freedom reason disputation observation experiment conditions scientific knowledge. sense creative arts research, business conducive speculation, creation. prevail four freedoms' university—to grounds teach, how admitted study.' Open Universities 10—12. (A conference senior theUniversity Cape Town Witwatersrand, d. S. Centlivres Richard Feetham, Chancellors universities.1) 78 suggest bears resemblance policy African remonsttrance directed. legitimacy resisted incipiency. evil grows allowed feed on. admonition context applicable 'It obnoxious mildest least repulsive form; illegitimate unconstitutional practices get footing way, namely, silent approaches slight deviations modes procedure.' Boyd 116 616, 635, 524, 535, 746. 79 stated, in, with, over, manipulation despite order, inquiring lawful organization, inviolability privacy thoughts, associations: 80 81 Party?'2 82 83 84 Walenko) situations planned. ruled: 85 (the General) possess sufficient evident hearings 'considerable heavily infiltrated policies Party." 111, 790.) 86 forego liberty autonomy, subordinating Inquiry safeguarding security threatened shut off mere disclaimer, privilege self-incrimination. (The privilege.) citizen's loyalties overwhelming well-being encroached meagre countervailing argumentatively remote, shadowy threat contributing elements relations these. 87 realm, academic, presumptively immune inquisition require barred ascertain voted national election. Until recently, difference entertained voter's affiliations various so-called day, longer, history. protection secrecy Australian ballot till 1888. implications elections liberty' implicit Palko Connecticut, 302 319, 325, 149, 151, 288, frozen 1789 1868, respectively. While language change, changing progressive yield fuller import meaning. Hurtado California, 110 516, 528—529, 117, 292, 232; McCulloch Maryland, Wheat. 316, 579. Whatever, massive proof history, take notice, conventional party, afforded foundation established weightier intimations Party.3 88 sure, balancing contending principles—the privacy, Amendment, self- protection. striking balance inescapable giving substantive content, legally enforced, Clause, whim will. overriding founded deeper justifiable preference. limitations, impersonal presuppositions rooted history widespread acceptance fairly attributed. Such arrived humility counters highest court. But, escaped—the opinions Haley Ohio, 332 596, 601, 302, 304, 92 224; Louisiana ex rel. Francis Resweber, 329 459, 466, 470—471, 374, 377, 379—380, 91 422; Malinski York, 324 401, 412, 414—417, 781, 786, 787—789, 89 1029. compelled 90 CLARK, BURTON dissenting. today activities' boundaries manner chosen Unfortunately reverse divided entirely Four Brothers join call principal They appointment 'responsibility power' 'causes *.' raised is, novel one. My FRANKFURTER agree conclude, I, internal affairs 1902, 79. reversal, Sweezy's theFirst violated. finds asked.' clearly determined activities; decided Brothrs surely decisions. nevertheless, 'asked interrogated.' follows, says 'assurance Hampshire's statute. State; approved 'one-man' technique; purpose. 'directed' inquire did. Furthermore, renewed twice year interrogation. N.H.Laws 1955, c. 197. ratifying words: provided chapter 307 Laws continued 13, form, therein (Emphasis added.) bound findings. strike down unless protecting greater uncovering confines. 94 short blocks effort enforce Common-wealth Pennsylvania Nelson, 1956, 350 497, 477, 640, legitimate control leveled suspend Nation avoid race court-house door prosecutors. Cases interstate ramifications effectively destroy prosecution level. wide action, contrary conclusion. fact-finding coverage. discusses, dictum, Since ground, However, lacks 1952, 216, depended expressed. it. authored ipso facto disqualified employee inter alia, organizations. struck requirement 'constitutional extend(s) servant pursuant patently arbitrary discriminatory.' Id., 192, 219. charged is. fact, Oklahoma's. excludes anything. Updegraff stands abstraction suggests. 96 reversing predicated presented, see discussing them. devotes issues fair why elaborate treatment ground. avail quarrel straw man. type Watkins, today. convinced citizens affirm 1951, 193; N.H.Rev.Stat.Ann.1955, 588, §§ 1—16. 307. two-year period cc. 197, 340. 'Having Legislature's choice instead special board commission, determinative position enforcement officer transform action.' 762, appointed Governor Council, five share responsibilities Government. duties 7, 6—11. represents cases prosecutes accused offense punishable twenty-five prison more. supervision. gives boards, departments, commissions, officers, etc., relating official duties. 'Whenever testimony, punish refuses obey summons, production things compliance summons filed superior justice thereof.' 491, 19. 'Upon orders penalties accordingly.' 20. Uphaus, 1, 887. 'Those similar classified 'First danger harassment prosecution. 'Second, methods investigations. 'Third, prosecuted, deeply naturally, justifiably, plead themselves. naturally cooperative witnesses. faced dilemma. belong group, struggling weeks now. explain dilemma understand. often fear, whatever it? dangerous, give approval tacitly otherwise. contrary, oppose them best ability persuade likewise, hope eventually abolishing altogether. 'Our opposing captious trivial. roots conscience. Let uncover lay promote forms Leaving aside constitutionality strict adherence leave room enough few radicals dissenters Hampshire; isolated crackpots anyone, nation. able quickly satisfying laid 'But done. story, show issued number subpoenas parts available allows judge, fallen groups: professors Dartmouth gained reputation liberal unorthodox views, and, second, people specially noted respect, certainly devoted effecting reforms procedures essence pattern described accident. Whatever end politics, beliefs are, being, unpopular views. Activities, example, supposed kinds propaganda whatever. Over years, spent energies 'exposing' affiliations, concerned actually turning manifestations themselves felt recent years. 'If speech, assembly, association—then Americans claimed cherish. genuine exercising hauled tribunal forced perjury account 'Let return problem fear nowadays 'friendly' witness, feels betrayal courses him? 'He hateful inquisition. elect rejecting state, widely misinterpreted. noblest precious won bitter struggles terrible suffering, distorted confession guilt, sinister undefined indeed undefinable. unfortunate, true, large distortion scarcely listen invoked privilege. 'Alternatively, seek uphold maintain integrity, claiming Fifth (or Fifteenth Article Rights), contesting offensive 'Just settled. moment considering Emspak (349 190, 687, 997)) settle handed quite place challenge transgresses necessary, decision. 'Moreover, 'pertinent inquiry' words Court). 'matter investigation? directing twofold: 'to 1951,' state.' studied care, glad volunteer absolutely provisions; further, carry conviction, myself, concede respectfully decline beliefs, possibly and/or seem invade (which, applies states).' offered slate 1948 presidential Vice party's selection presidency. Glen Taylor, Senator, vice-presidential nominee party. Nationwide, received popular vote 1,156,103. Of total, 1,970 votes cast Statistics Congressional Election November 2, 1948, pp. 24, 48—49. note supra. ruling pertinent. Nevertheless, Note "Subversive commits, commit, advocates, abets, advises teaches, overthrow, alter, destruction of, subdivision force, violence; foreign 1. 'For 'organization' corporation, company, partnership, trust, foundation, fund, club, society, incorporated, subjects. organization' engages advises, teachers, advocate, advise, violence.' Ibid. illustrated 'reasonable reliable' underlying quoting remark objection line Party.' 790, None existence weight independently reviewed courts. point lecture. possesses indicating wilfully' not.' What, anything, indicated appear. At petitioner: dialectic." R. 107. cite statement. Hon. recently retired Africa, Feetham eminent, judge. Inclusion unanswered oversight event, brief states willing desires. consistent demonstrated willingness forty-four twenty-six 1952.

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