Document: 355 U.S. 286 78 S.Ct. 291 2 L.Ed.2d 282 UNITED STATES of America, Appellant,v.Gerald H. SHARPNACK. No. 35. Argued Oct. 29, 1957. Decided Jan. 13, 1958. Miss Beatrice Rosenberg, Washington, D.C., for appellant. Mr. Joel Westbrook, San Antonio, Tex., appellee. Justice BURTON delivered the opinion Court. 1 The issue in this case is whether Assimilative Crimes Act 1948, 18 U.S.C. § U.S.C.A. constitutional insofar as it makes applicable to a federal enclave subsequently enacted criminal law State which situated. For reasons hereafter stated, we hold that constitutional. A four-count indictment, United States District Court Western Texas, charged appellee, Sharpnack, with committing sex crimes involving two boys violation and arts. 535b 535c Vernon's Texas Penal Code 1952. offenses were have been committed 1955 at Randolph Air Force Base, Articles had 1950 and, time commission alleged offenses, force throughout State. Also, since Federal has provided that, within such an enclave, acts not punishable by any enactment Congress are then effective laws situated.1 Nevertheless, upon motion Court, unreported order, dismissed indictment 'for reason may legislatively assimilate adopt statutes state subsequent Statute.'2 appealed under 3731, noted probable jurisdiction. 352 962, 77 356, 319. 3 1948 was part Revised Criminal reads follows: 4 's 13. Laws states adopted areas 5 'Whoever or places now existing reserved acquired section 73 title, guilty act omission which, although made Congress, would be if omitted jurisdiction State, Territory, Possession, place situated, thereof omission, shall like offense subject punishment.' U.S.C., 6 In absence restriction cessions respective enclaves States, power exercise legislative over them clearly stated Article I, 8, cl. 17, IV, 3, 2, Constitution.4 See Collins v. Yosemite Park Co., 304 518, 58 1009, 82 L.Ed. 1502. first Act, 1790, Stat. 112, defined number referred enclaves. need dealing more extensively evident, one natural solution each Press Publishing 219 1, 9 31 212, 213—215, 55 65. Initially there room difference desirability doing blanket legislation, rather than code enumerating defining specific its initial decision on point 1825 adopting otherwise undefined policy general conformity local law. On repeated occasions thereafter confirmed enacting unbroken series Acts. During same period, recognized slowly increasing field major those extent, excluded from field.5 7 1825, sponsored Daniel Webster House Representatives, expressly fundamental law.6 That basis grown before us. thereby clear exception enlarged list specifically proscribed it, identical no reference repeals amendments assimilated laws. It also new might added after Act. 8 1831, certified Circuit Paul, Pet. 141, 348, concrete question whether, statute 1829 New York, known burglary third degree, West Point. submitted without argument Court's answer reported full 'Mr. Chief Marshall entitled 'an effectually provide punishment certain against other purposes,' passed March limited several enactment. This ordered southern district York.' Id., page 142. 10 There nothing report show decided anything statutory construction falling doctrine calling narrow penal statute. So interpreted, did reach did, however, carry fair implication later so held Franklin 216 559, 30 434, 54 615. 11 Due limitation own enactment, gradually lost much effectiveness maintaining current result well called static conformity. To renew conformity, comparable Acts 1866, 14 13; 1874 R.S. 5391; 1898, 717; 1909 289 Code, 35 1145; 1933, 48 152; 1935, 49 394; 1940, 234; finally 12 above substantial re-enactments demonstrates consistent congressional purpose apply principle punishing most minor 1874, 1898 1909, interpretation given Paul explicit limiting assimilation 'now force,' 'laws * provide. *' 1935 continued prescribe 'in force' specified recent dates, these three conditional 'remaining omitting thing. *'7 helped keep reflecting future deletions soon made. 13 coincidentally revision present language. limits omissions "not *.' further specifies (federal) (Emphasis supplied.) applies once reflects every addition, repeal amendment law.8 Recognizing underlying 123 years' standing, thus last extent preempted enactments, comlete doubt validly enclave. certainly do drafting copying dufining As practical matter, proceed largely wholesale basis. Its because examined individually already situated.9 basic conform all Congress. Whether sets forth assimilates reference, definite ascertainable themselves. 15 Having laws, obviously annually daily order States. being so, conclude powers discretion when, years experience enacts complete accurate form. Rather delegation authority deliberate continuing adoption unpre-empted punishments put effect their government. retains exclude particular assimilative procedure accommodation mechanics functions Nation police where especially appropriate make regulation conduct established Cf. Stewart & Co. Sadrakula, 309 94, 100—101, 60 431, 434—435, 84 596. 16 Examples uses action connection numerous. Webb-Kenyon 1913, 37 699, 700, 27 122, prohibited shipment intoxicating liquors into used Virginia prohibition nevertheless upheld applicability Clark Distilling Maryland R. 242 311, 326, 180, 185, 61 326. Knickerbocker Ice Stewart, 253 149,10 169, 40 438, 443, 64 834 (Justice Holmes' dissent), Hill, 248 420, 39 143, 63 337. 17 Black Bass amended, 517, 66 736, s 852, transportation fish interstate commerce contrary transported. And see 43, 43. Johnson 1134, 1172, prohibiting gambling devices commerce, provides exempt itself Nilva Cir., 212 F.2d 115.11 19 less closely related civil law, Tort Claims 28 1346(b), bases liability 'the occurred.' 20 Social Security 71 519, 42 416(h)(1), applicant considered husband wife insured individual 'if courts domiciled files application find married 21 Bankruptcy 52 847, 24, affect allowance exemptions prescribed 'by filing petition Hanover National Bank City York Moyses, 186 181, 189—190, 22 857, 861, 46 1113. Under 25, 50 U.S.C.App. 1894(i)(1) (2), U.S.C.A.Appendix, 1894(i)(1, 2), authorized free rent control either passing legislation own, determining longer necessary. Shoreline Co-op Apartments, Inc., 338 897, 70 248, 94 551, reversing, per curiam, Woods F.Supp. 660. 23 delegate bodies broad Territories ceded retains, does here, ample revise, alter revoke legislation. Columbia John Thompson 346 100, 106, 109—110, 1007, 1010, 1012—1013, 97 1480; Christianson King County, 239 36 114, 327; Hornbuckle Toombs, Wall. 648, 655, 966.12 24 limitations here prescribed, reasonable discretion.13 Accordingly, judgment reversed remanded opinion. 25 Reversed remanded. 26 DOUGLAS, whom BLACK concurs, dissenting. provisions Constitution involved controversy. provides: 'All Powers herein granted vested consist Senate Representatives.' supplementary provision contained Art. 2: 'The Power dispose needful Rules Regulations respecting Territory Property belonging is, therefore, alone, rules governing I suppose doubt, least Youngstown Sheet Tube Sawyer, 343 579, 72 863, 96 1153, rule-making could exercised President, let alone some agency Department Interior. men punished calls serious deliberation fashioning seizure industrial plants case. Both call judgment; how requirement can satisfied delegating Interior, or, case, Schechter Poultry Corp. 295 495, 837, 79 1570, determination what constitutes 'fair competition' left industry affected, approval President. codes promulgated standing statutes. 'But cannot President unfettered whatever he thinks needed advisable rehabilitation expansion trade industry.' pages 537—538, 846. codemaking unconstitutional power. 542, 843. permitted abdicate transfer others essential vested.' 529, 29 vice who received delegated authority, but abdicated lawmaking function. should constituted Of course State; often done so. Even when enumeration 'has acted definitely words' Holmes said Knicker-bocker 149, 167, 834. Also could, think, speeding enacted. determines is. Leaving details filled analogous scheme implementation congressionally policies familiar administrative But must determine policy, essence lawmaking. approved likes, becomes citizen sent prison. Here crime never legislated. Tomorrow blue usury, even requiring segregation reces buses restaurants. command majority sense reflected will. say defense Fifth Sixth Amendments applications procedures them. He applied him fits policy. led heretofore limit 348. 568—569, 436—437, 32 convenience allows today. saved bother time. grow mushrooms bill. material problem. With due deference convinced way, am forced exercising making 'needful Regulations' envisioned 2. constitutionally done. contention virtue Base included following paragraph: 'It Section Title 18, wherein adopts section, to-wit: 535(b) 535(c) Statutes, 1950, four counts predicated, Congress' States.' contains provision: term 'special maritime territorial States,' includes: '(3) Any lands use exclusive concurrent thereof, purchased consent legislature be, erection fort, magazine, arsenal, dockyard, building.' 'Article. I. 'Section 8. 'To Legislation Cases whatsoever, (not exceeding ten Miles square) may, Cession Particular Acceptance become Seat Government Authority Places Consent Legislature Same Erection Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, Buildings *. IV. 'Section. 3. States; construed Prejudice State.' U.S.Const. example, enactments Congress: arson, 81, 81; assault, 113, 113; maiming, 114; larceny, 661, 661; receiving stolen property, 662, 662; false pretenses 'upon waters vessel special 1025, 1025; murder, 1111, 1111; manslaughter, 1112, 1112; attempted murder 1113, 1113; malicious mischief, 1363, 1363; rape, 2031, 2031; carnal knowledge, 2032, 2032; robbery, 2111, 2111. 'Sec. offence aforesaid, specially shall, conviction court having recognisance liable to, receive dock-yard, navy-yard, armory, place, body county state.' 115. H.R.Rep. 263, 73d Cong., 1st Sess.; Cong.Rec. 5530—5532, 5920; 1022, 74th Sess. Reviser's Note situation simply: revised omits specification date unnecessary revision, speaks Such will only reservations, authorize measuring stick adjoining changes periodic pro forma abreast words, govern reservation We pass conflicts statute, cf. Williams 327 711, 778, 90 Yellow Cab Transit 321 383, 622, 88 814; 596; Hunt 278 96, 38, 200; Terminal Services, Rentzel, 81 611; Oklahoma Sanders, 323, 115 A.L.R. 363. supra, voided workmen's compensation injuries admiralty holding, re-examine, contemplated, actually established' 'harmony uniformity' 164, 441. designed 'destroy' required uniformity. Ibid. contrast, us effectuate long-standing Connally Hot Oil 30, 715, depends conservation Humble Refining 198 753. Fugitive 1073, person travel avoid prosecution 'under flees Hemans 163 228. Wayman Southard, Wheat. 47—50, 253, controlling. legislatures 'rules practice' 'modes proceeding' bind courts. 1872, met Conformity 197, prescribed: 5. practice, pleadings, forms modes proceeding equity causes circuit conform, near record held, rule notwithstanding While restricted interpretation, validity practice generally accepted Hart Wechsler, Courts System (1953), 581 586; Warren, Process Legislation, Va.L.Rev. 421, 557—570 (1930); Moore, Civil Procedure, 44 Yale L.J. 387, 401—411 (1935). generally, Note, Harv.L.Rev. 685 (1957).

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