Document: 334 U.S. 24 68 S.Ct. 847 92 L.Ed. 1187 HURD et al.v.HODGE al. URCIOLO v. SAME. Nos. 290, 291. Argued Jan. 15, 16, 1948. Decided May 3, Messrs. Charles H. Houston and Phineas Indritz, both of Washington, D.C., for petitioners. Henry Gilligan James A. Crooks, respondents. Mr. Philip B. Perlman, Sol. Gen., the United States as amicus curiae, by special leave court. [Argument Counsel from page 25 intentionally omitted] Chief Justice VINSON delivered opinion Court. 1 These are companion cases to Shelley Kraemer McGhee Sipes, 1, 836, come this Court on certiorari Appeals District Columbia. 2 In 1906, twenty thirty-one lots in 100 block Bryant Street, Northwest, City were sold subject following covenant: '* * that said lot shall never be rented, leased, sold, transferred or conveyed unto any Negro colored person, under a penalty Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000), which lien against property.' The covenant imposes no time limitation restriction. 3 Prior sales gave rise these cases, covenants at all times owned occupied white persons, except brief period when three houses Negroes who eventually induced move without legal action. remaining eleven same block,1 however, not restrictive agreement and, found Court, years prior institution litigation. 4 involve seven terms covenants. No. petitioners Hurd, trial court Negroes,2 purchased one restricted properties owners. 291, petitioner Urciolo, real estate dealer, Rowe, Savage, Stewart. Petitioner Urciolo also owns other presently occupying homes respective have been them. 5 Suits instituted respondents, own property covenants, praying injunctive relief enforce agreement. consolidated trial, after hearing, entered judgment declaring null void deeds petitioners; enjoining Ryan, owners had petitioners, leasing, selling conveying person; leasing directing those 'to remove themselves their personal belongings' premises within sixty days. 6 Columbia, with justice dissenting, affirmed Court.3 majority was action consistent earlier decisions should held determinative cases. 7 Petitioners attacked judicial enforcement case wide variety grounds. Primary reliance, is placed contention such governmental part courts Columbia forbidden due process clause Fifth Amendment Federal Constitution.4 8 Whether racial agreements federal violates has adjudicated Corrigan Buckley, 1926, 271 323, 46 521, 70 969, an appeal taken order lower granting covenant. But pointed out our Kraemer, supra, only constitutional issue raised case, consequently, question before appeal, related validity private such. Nothing therefore, may properly regarded adjudication presented concerns, standing alone, but strictive Amendment.5 See 836. 9 This declared invalid municipal ordinances restricting occupancy designated areas persons specified race color denying rights sellers purchasers property, guaranteed Fourteenth Amendment. Buchanan Warley, 1917, 245 60, 38 62 149, L.R.A.1918C, 210, Ann.Cas.1918A, 1201; Harmon Tyler, 1927, 273 668, 47 471, 71 831; Richmond Deans, 1930, 281 704, 50 407, 74 1128. urge likewise deny point Hirabayashi States, 1943, 320 81, 100, 63 1375, 1385, 87 1774, reached its decision issues presented, assumption 'racial discriminations most circumstances irrelevant therefore prohibited *.' And see Korematsu 1944, 323 214, 216, 65 193, 194, 89 194. 10 Upon full consideration, we it unnecessary resolve advance; concluded improper reasons hereinafter stated.6 11 Section 1978 Revised Statutes, derived § Civil Rights Act 1866,7 provides: 'All citizens right, every State Territory, enjoyed thereof inherit, purchase, lease, sell hold, convey property.'8 12 All States. We doubt that, purposes section, included phrase 'every Territory.'9 Nor can there power Congress enact legislation reference Columbia.10 13 start proposition statute does invalidate so long achieved parties through voluntary adherence terms. toward provisions consideration directed Such holding supra. 14 considering whether kind first section 1866 intended prohibit, must made scope Amendment; closely inception objectives sought achieve. 15 Both joint resolution later adopted passed session Thirty-Ninth Congress.11 Frequent references record legislative debates adoption Amendment.12 It clear many significant respects expressions general congressional policy. Indeed, reveal, primary members supporting incorporate guaranties organic law land.13 Others supported eliminate applied States.14 16 close relationship between given specific recognition 79, 19, 1201. There, observed operation theFourteenth Amendment, virtue 'statutes enacted furtherance purpose,' including here considered, man granted right acquire free interference discriminatory state legislation. forbids discrimination where imposed That clearly indicative construction relevant application Courts 17 Moreover, explicit language employed effectuate purposes, leaves Act. statute, terms, requires 'as sell, denied clear. into contracts sale willing purchase upon they desired establish homes. Solely because confronted orders divesting titles ordering vacated. White sellers, whom here, enjoined person. Under circumstances, suggest accorded reject plain meaning language. hold denies protected cannot stand. 18 even absence considerations would indicate contrary public policy States,15 corrected exercise supervisory powers over Columbia.16 exercised restrictions limitations manifested Constitution, treaties, statutes, applicable precedents.17 Where violative policy, obligation refrain exertions power.18 19 concerned nature if violate prohibitory permit Nation's capital equitable compel guaranty equal protection laws.19 presume manifests lesser concern basic than 20 Reversed. 21 REED, JACKSON, RUTLEDGE took 22 FRANKFURTER, concurring. 23 plaintiffs ask equity enjoin desirous buyers simply original them pass ownership. Equity rooted conscience. An injunction is, always been, 'an extraordinary remedial process, granted, matter sound discretion.' Morrison Work, 266 481, 490, 45 153, 69 394. good conscience, 'the discretion' grant asked authorization Union Constitution—and it, narrow technical reason, touch society War, invasion safeguarded Constitution. me sufficient conclusive ground reaching Court's result. residential south side street, northern street providing boundary park. M. Hurd Mintained he Mohawk Indian. 1947, 82 U.S.App.D.C. 180, 162 F.2d 233. Other contentions include following: U.S.C.A. 42, treaty obligations contained Nations' charter; policy; inequitable. present litigation, considered involving least eight occasions. 1924, 55 App.D.C. 30, 299 F. 899; Torrey Wolfes, 1925, 56 4, 702; Russell Wallace, 1929, 58 357, 30 981; Cornish O'Donoghue, 359, 983; Grady Garland, 1937, 67 73, 817; Hundley Gorewitz, 1942, 77 48, 132 23; Mays Burgess, 1945, 79 343, 147 869, A.L.R. 168; 80 236, 152 123. decided p peals relied subsequent decisions, contains dismissed 969. discussion refused changes character neighborhood rendered well-established principle will decide questions grounds available dispositive case. Recent Alma Motor Co. Timken-Detroit Axle Co., 1946, 329 129, 231; Rescue Army Municipal 331 549, 1409. Stat. 27. provided: born foreign power, excluding Indians taxed, hereby States; citizens, color, regard previous condition slavery involuntary servitude, punishment crime whereof party duly convicted, Territory make contracts, sue, parties, give evidence, lease benefit laws proceedings security person like punishment, pains, penalties, none other, law, ordinance, regulation, custom, notwithstanding.' reenacted 31, 1870, 144, 1977 U.S.C. 41, turn patterned 66, jurisdiction taxes, licenses, exactions kind, other.' 42. Cf. Talbott Silver Bow County, 1891, 139 438, 444, 594, 596, 35 210. Keller Potomac Electric Power 1923, 261 428, 442, 443, 43 445, 448, 731. became April 9, 1866. Joint Resolution submitting House Representatives June 13, 1866, having previously Senate 8. Cong. Globe, 39th Cong., 1st Sess. 3148—3149, 3042. See, e.g., 2459, 2461, 2462, 2465, 2467, 2498, 2506, 2511, 2538, 2896, 2961, 3035. Thus, Thayer Pennsylvania, speaking Representatives, stated: 'As I understand incorporating Constitution civil bill lately become provision necessary administration just operation, fundamental citizenship, forever incorporated States.' 2465. note remarks Stevens Pennsylvania reporting subsequently Id. 2459. id. 2961. understood purpose statee nts proponents opponents. 2538. Flack, Adoption 94—96. No doubts expressed constitutionality Senator Poland Vermont 'It certainly seems desirable left existing principles lying very foundation republican government violated rejoice aiding Congress.' Hutcheson, 1941, 312 219,2 35, 61 463, 467, 85 788; Johnson Cir., 1908, 163 32, L.R.A.,N.S., 1194. 240 (a) Judicial Code, 938, 28 347 (a), 347(a), 'In criminal, circuit appeals, competent Supreme petition thereto, Government litigant, require certiorari, either decree court, cause certified determination authority, effect, brought unrestricted writ error appeal.' Muschany 324 49, 451, 744. License Tax Cases, 1867, Wall. 462, 469, 497. Kennett Chambers, 1852, How. 38, 316; Tool Norris, 1865, 45, 868; Sprott 1874, 459, 371; Trist Child, 1875, 441, 623; Oscanyan Arms 1881, 103 261, 26 539; Burt Central Life Insurance 1902, 187 362, 139, 216; Sage Hampe, 1914, 235 99, 94, 59 147. Beasley Texas & Pacific R. 1903, 191 492, 164, 48 274. Gandolfo Hartman C.C., 1892, 49 181, 183, L.R.A. 277.

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