Document: 369 U.S. 643 82 S.Ct. 980 8 L.Ed.2d 168 Buford MALONE, Jr., Petitioner,v.James A. BOWDOIN et al. No. 113. Argued March 20, 1962. Decided May 14, Daniel M. Friedman, Washington, D.C., for petitioner. William Mitchell, Forsyth, Ga., respondents. Mr. Justice STEWART delivered the opinion of Court. 1 This litigation began in a Georgia court when respondents filed common law action ejectment against petitioner, Forest Service Officer United States Department Agriculture.1 The basis suit was respondents' claim that they were rightful owners certain land occupied by petitioner.2 removed to Federal District Court under provisions 28 U.S.C. § 1442(a), U.S.C.A. 1442(a).3 removal petition stated 'involves lands acquired America deed on June 6, 1936,' petitioner's 'official duties as required him be, and he was, charge possession described said suit,' 'all his acts connection with matters charged complaint committed color office.' 2 petitioner motion dismiss upon ground substance effect one States, which had not consented be sued or waived its immunity from suit. Noting conceded pretrial conference occupying acting solely an official employee granted dismiss, relying Larson v. Domestic & Foreign Corp., 337 682, 69 1457, 93 L.Ed. 1628.4 On appeal, judgment reversed, judge dissenting, 5 Cir., 284 F.2d 95.5 We certiorari consider scope sovereign suits this kind. 368 811, 35, 7 20. agree doctrine case dismissal action, we therefore reverse Appeals. 3 For view did bar maintenance suit, Appeals found principal support Lee, 106 196, 240, 27 171. In Virginia estate General Robert E. Lee been nonpayment taxes, although taxes fact tendered third party. An brought governmental custodians land, federal military installation cemetery established. trial tax sale invalid, title plaintiff. upheld favor plaintiff court's finding defendants' illegal, holding them such circumstances sovereign. 4 number later cases, arising over years variety factual situations, principles approved.6 But several other cases came during same period, it held government agents, specifically affecting property claimed interest, barred immunity.7 While is possible differentiate many these their individualized facts, fair say reconcile completely all decisions field prior 1949 would Procrustean task. Court's decision makes unnecessary, however, undertake task here. Court, aware called 'resolve conflict doctrine' (337 U.S., at 701, 1467), thoroughly reviewed decisions, made informed carefully considered choice between seemingly conflicting precedents. 6 War Assets Administrator enjoin selling surplus coal which, alleged, already sold theory where 'an officer Government wrongly takes holds specific has then taking tort, 'illegal' matter general law, whether within delegated powers,' 'may individually prevent recover 'illegally' held.' 692, S.Ct., 1462. adequate conclusion relief asked Cutting through tangle previous expressly postulated rule can individual only if officer's 'not statutory powers or, those powers, exercise particular case, are constitutionally void.' 702, 1467. Since affirmative allegation any relevant limitation Administrator's no amounted unconstitutional taking, ruled must fail effort States. overruling supra, limited way make inapplicable before us. Pointing out time there remedy could have recovered compensation land,8 interpreted simply 'a application constitutional exception immunity.' 696, 1464. So construed, continuing validity 'where constitutes without just compensation.' Id., 697, 1465. 9 No advanced present case. Nor asserted exceeding question,9 anything than capacity. therefore, class Larson, obtained officer. Accordingly, rightly dismissed consent. 10 Reversed. 11 FRANKFURTER took part 12 WHITE consideration 13 DOUGLAS, dissenting. 14 171, serves useful function should followed There, here, contest real Here, there, agent's illegal Miller, speaking said: 15 'The instances life liberty citizen protected judicial writ habeas corpus too familiar need citation, indeed almost them, invaded persons assuming act authority government. * 16 'If provision sufficient interfere rescue prisoner hands government, what reason courts shall give whose seized due process devoted public use compensation?' 218, 259. 17 five-to-four decision. late 1947 seven members agreed statement Land Dollar, 330 731, 737, 67 1009, 1012, 91 1209, '(w)here right enjoyment issue, defendants officers agents sovereign, repeatedly approved.' Two 1628, attempted distinguished manner indicated six three, Rutledge concurring result my vote being fifth. I explained concurrence following grounds: 18 'I think announced ones govern property. Less strict applications cause intolerable interference administration. To sue turn sales passed buyers clog burdens. *' 705, 1469. 19 thus repudiated necessarily restricted decided today. 20 quite correct saying our cannot easily reconciled; will doubtless true who sit here decades hence. consistent policy considerations, always apparent surface, powerful Thus performance contract sell coal, long left damage suits. As separate 'clog' procurement 'with burdens.' 21 Ejectment, hand, classic form try title. It place locality located. judges better qualified local judges. convenient ready land. Moreover, party, bound state decree. If aggrieved ruling title, bring arsenal power into play. Eminent domain—with immediately take possession—is available. 22 If, bow immunity, precluded except damages 1346(b), 1346(b) 1346(a)(2), 1491, 1491. places advantage all-powerful Government, citizen. He may, says go get value does property, even though assume, must, claimant. 23 war decisions. Those remedies leaves owner 'special remedies' provided 'displace otherwise plaintiffs command.' See Sloan Shipyards Fleet 258 549, 567, 42 386, 388, 66 762. FRANKFURTER: 24 'when special because enjoys but change traditional rules liability tort agent providing substitute. Crozier Fried, 224 290, 32 488, 56 771; Richmond Screw Anchor Co. 275 331, 48 194, 72 303. statute permitting Claims provides plaintiff's command displaced. A availability monetary prevents necessary requisites equity jurisdiction present, equity, agent, novel indefensible light settled course Indeed, argument novel; explicitly negatived least two cases. Corp. 568, 762; 738, 1209.' 722—723, 1478 (dissenting opinion). 25 What Miller 220, 221, 261, needs repeating: 26 'No man country so high above law. may set defiance impunity. All highest lowest, creatures obey it. 'It then, citizens ownership estate, established according forms procedure, verdict jury court, wrongful possessor successfully 'Stop, here; hold order president, progress justice stayed.' That, nature controversy peculiarly appropriate function, party three great branches constitution duty assigned declared after trial, unsuccessful interpose absolute veto production secretary war, more humblest private citizen.' Sovereign become date, vast bureaucracy increased. Keifer Reconstruction Finance 306 381, 390, 59 516, 518, 83 784 seq. is, words Holmes: 29 very dangerous departure first system properly superior reasons often explained. person amenable conduct harmful shield exonerates him. Supposing Corporation given single doubt anyone contend Congress delegations President less liable grantees eminent domain defend himself court. instrumentality might greatest ends, cease answerable acts.' pp. 566—567, p. 388. 30 balance convenience management affairs recurring determining official. Williams Fanning, 332 490, 68 188, 92 95. view, side claims realty Government's means adjudicating legal actually claimant, ultra vires, objectionable functions exist? 31 am authorized HARLAN agrees opinion. original pleading fictitious Georgia, Ga. Code Ann. 33—111, alleging John Doe, lessee respondents, entered question forceably ejected Richard Roe. served process, accompanied 'Notice Real Defendants,' stating Roe 'acted casual ejector only.' subsequent challenged assertion appear face pleadings form. brief, claim. They alleged 1857 devised Martha Sanders, remainder her children, 1873 Mrs. Sanders fee mesne grantors 1936. died 1928, remaindermen will. 1442(a) provides: 'A civil criminal prosecution commenced State district division embracing wherein pending: '(1) Any agency thereof, him, office account right, Act apprehension punishment criminals collection revenue. '(2) holder derived officer, affects '(3) duties; '(4) either House Congress, discharge House.' reported sub nom. Doe Roe, 186 F.Supp. 407. rehearing denied, 287 282. Cunningham Macon Brunswick R. Co., 109 446, 452, 292, 296, 297, 992; Tindal Wesley, 167 204, 770, 137; Scranton Wheeler, 179 141, 152—153, 48, 52—53, 45 126; Philadelphia Stimson, 223 605, 619—620, 340, 343—344, 570; Goltra Weeks, 271 536, 545, 46 613, 616, 70 1074; Ickes Fox, 300 82, 96, 57 412, 417, 81 525; Great Northern Life Ins. Read, 322 47, 50 51, 64 873—874, 875, 88 1121; 1209. Stanley Schwalby, 162 255, 754, 40 960; Oregon Hitchcock, 202 60, 935; Naganab 473, 667, 1113; Louisiana Garfield, 211 70, 31, 53 92; Goldberg Daniels, 231 34 84, 58 191; New Mexico Lane, 243 52, 37 348, 61 588; Morrison Work, 266 481, 149, 394; cf. Mine Safety Appliance Forrestal, 326 371, 374—375, 219, 90 140; Wells Roper, 246 335, 38 317, 62 755. n. 17, Unlike situation times tribunal seek That Claims. Causby, 328 256, 267, 1062, 1064, 1206. made, 'it relies.' 690, 1461. requirement probably precisely complied involved, ever suggested proceedings.

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