Legal Document

329 U.S. 14 67 Supreme Court Reporter 13 91 L.Ed. 12 CLEVELAND et al.v.UNITED STATES (three cases). DARGER versus SAME. JESSOP DOCKSTADER STUBBS PETTY Nos. to 19. Argued Oct. 17, 1946. Decided Nov. 18, Rehearing Denied Dec. 16, See 830, 361. Mr.Claude T. Barnes, of Salt Lake City, Utah, for petitioners. Mr. Robert M. Hitchcock, Washington, D.C., respondent. [Argument Counsel from page 15 intentionally omitted] Justice DOUGLAS delivered the opinion Court. 1 Petitioners are members a Mormon sect, known as Fundamentalists. They not only believe in polygamy; unlike other Mormons,1 they practice it. Each petitioners, except Stubbs, has, addition his lawful wife, one or more plural wives. transported at least wife across state lines2 either purpose cohabiting with her, aiding another member cult such project. were convicted violating Mann Act, 36 Statutes-at-Large 825, 18 United States Code KF62 § 398, Annotated KF65 U5 on trial court, jury having been waived. D.C. 56 F.Supp. 890. The judgments conviction affirmed appeal. 10 Cir., 146 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 730. cases here petitions certiorari which we granted view asserted conflict between decision below and Mortensen States, 322 369, 64 1037, 88 1331. 2 Act makes an offense transportation interstate commerce 'any woman girl prostitution debauchery, any immoral purpose'. turns meaning latter phrase, 'for 3 Bitty, 208 393, 28 396, 52 543, involved prosecution under federal statute making it crime import alien prostitution, purpose.' 34 898, 899, 3. act was construed cover case where man imported so that she should live him concubine. Two years later passed. Because similarity language used two acts Bitty became forceful precedent construction Act. Thus who become mistress concubine held have her 'immoral purpose' within Caminetti 242 470, 37 192, 61 442, L.R.A. 1917F, 502, Ann.Cas. 1917B, 1168. 4 It is argued gave too wide sweep Act; designed white slave business related vices; voluntary actions bereft sex commercialism; event be embrace polygamy form marriage and, debauchery concubinage case, has its object parenthood creation maintenance family life. In support interpretation exhaustive legislative history submitted which, said, gives no indication aimed polygamous practices. 5 While supra, 377, 1041, 1331, rightly indicated 'primarily' use conduct find profit motive sine qua non application. Prostitution, sure, normally suggests sexual relations hire.3 But implied limitation. common understanding indulgence term may motivated solely by lust.4 And start words their natural than commercialized sex. What follows urpose'. Under ejusdem generis rule general confined class enlarge could give faithful if them narrowly part. 6 That taken cases. We do stop re-examine determine whether properly applied facts there presented. adhere holding force almost 30 years,5 while primarily purposes sex, restricted end. 7 conclude, moreover, practices excluded long outlawed our society. As stated Reynolds 98 145, 164, 25 244: 'Polygamy always odious among northern western nations Europe, until establishment Church, exclusively feature life Asiatic African people. At law, second void (2 Kent, Com. 79), earliest England treated against society.' subsequently Church 136 1, 49, 792, 805, 481; 'The organization community spread is, measure, return barbarism. contrary spirit Christianity civilization produced world.' see Davis Beason, 133 333, 299, 33 637. Polygamy far pervasive influences society casual, isolated transgressions case. households notorious example promiscuity. permanent advertisement existence sharp repercussions community. conclude Congress these clear vice. Since cannot say way present can excluded. These branded law. Though different ramifications, same genus covered 8 fact regulation matter does not, course, make unconstitutional interference police powers States. power over instrumentalities plenary; defeat what deemed practices; means 'the quality regulations' consequential. Hoke 227 308, 323, 281, 284, 57 523, 43 L.R.A.,N.S. 906, Ann.Cas.1913E, 905; Athanasaw 326, 285, 528, 911; Wilson 232 563, 347, 58 728. 9 Petitioners' line defense requisite lacking. said those petitioners already had wives did transport purpose. test laid down calculated effectuating immorality.' 375, There evidence this group order cohabit found necessary convenient unlawful dominant motive. entering into marriage. After night petitioner refused continue relationship. guilt motivates transportation, accomplishment. pages 570, 571, 349, 350, also urged criminal intent lacking since religious belief. claims much. If upheld, would place beyond law done claim sanction. supported creed affords bigamy. supra. Whether determined accused's concepts morality. provided standard. complete accused intended perform, condemns, viz., such. 11 considered remaining objections raised without merit. Affirmed. BLACK JACKSON think reversed. affirmance requires extension announced correctness dubious particular facts. RUTLEDGE, concurring. & N Immigration Nationality Decisions concur result. Differences petitioners' behalf L.R.A.1917F, Ann.Cas.1917B, 1168.1 Notwithstanding them, my impossible rationally reverse convictions, time adhering decisions perpetuating ruling.2 16 suggested, though strongly urged, wrongly decided overruled. Much view. opini n subsequent ones following extended Act's coverage congressional purpose, dissenting McKenna convincingly demonstrated. 496, 198.3 Moreover think, legislation problems presented arising character allow shift responsibility Court's error. 17 recent tendency, idea accepted Congress, silent taking affirmative action repudiation, approval judicial misconstruction enactments. Girouard 328 61, 66 826. perhaps late now deny that, legislatively speaking ordinary life, silence some instances consent.4 going even farther reason experience maintain, signs doing, affairs nonaction acquiescence equivalent action. vast differences legislating doing nothing positive enactment, both processes will derived stated5 clarity certainty expression will.6 many reasons, indicate courts done, why fail take repudiate duly adopted laws. Among sheer pressure important business. Moore Cleveland R. Co., 108 656, 660. times political considerations work forbid corrective cases, well others, strong proper tendency trust correct own errors, 69, ought when confirmed demonstrated errors' existence. 19 danger imputing result failure through normal processes, ideas entertained concerning Congress' will, illustrated most dramatically vacillating contradictory courses pursued varied effects clause cases.7 often equally others. More safe assumption inaction simply intend all. Cf. American Trucking Ass'n, 310 534, 550, 60 1059, 1067, 84 1345. best inference, altogether evidences f subject varying views intent.8 short, although recognizing acquiesce thus approve, very sure all circumstances given situation, before once relieve ourselves burden correcting wrongly. particular, general, notwithstanding earlier exceptional treatment tendency. Just much overridden, mistaken legislation. 20 doubt respect multiplication length during endured, bills approving introduced houses, referred committees, discussed debates, enacted majorities places, approved executive. doubt, words, relevant including unanticipated consequences legislation,9 mustered rendered. Nor conclusion refusal action.10 21 however, overruled majority effect. This decision. 22 MURPHY, dissenting. 23 Today unfortunate chapter added troubled White Slave Traffic written terms misapply statutory disregard intention framers. results imprisonment individuals whose none earmarks slavery, whatever else conduct. am accordingly forced dissent. 24 refers women girls lines issue borders marriage, constitutes come interdict statute. holds, agree phrase must immoralities belong. disagree 'in genus' hence because connotations 'long law' nation. Such reasoning ignores reality unfair application words. 26 defend morally monogamy. essential understand not. Only intelligently decide falls debauchery. 27 four fundamental forms marriage: (1) monogamy; (2) polygamy, several wives; (3) polyandry, husbands; (4) 'polygamy' covers polygyny polyandry. dealing polygyny, basic Historically, exceeded form. quite ancient civilizations writers Old Testament; today frequently certain pagan non-Christian peoples world. recognize, then, like basically cultural institution rooted deeply beliefs social mores societies appears. true briefs culture contemporary world condemn substitute monogamy place. To subscribe, but alter built upon set moral principles. recognized states 'a promiscuity.' fact, despite exist monogamy, category When entirely nature, relation various takes elaboration point out occurs disapprove, compared character. 29 recognize vital distinction insistence violence anthropological factors involved. Even etymologically, 'polygyny' distinct 'prostitution,' 'debauchery' ilk. basis One word about citation statement thought apparently appearing identical regulating immigration aliens consideration 898. concerned itself portion forbidding importation Significantly, made separate provision exclusion 'polygamists, persons admit belief polygamy.' purpose,' reference certainly comprehend polygamy. statute, authority here, t drawn inconsistent reached today. name desired deal subject, distinguished nature prostitution. See, example, 364, 364; 513, 513. 31 consequence long-continued title indicates, diabolical international trade slaves, securing selling outright, exploiting purposes.' H.Rep. Number 47, 61st Cong., 2d Sess., Page 11; S.Rep. 886, 11. suggested proposed meet conditions arisen preceding 1910 revealed themselves ugly details extensive investigations. framers specifically directed immorality general; attempt regulate leaving problem states. Its exclusive concern 'unwillingly prostitution' engage similar 'whose lives involuntary servitude.' Ibid. A reading reports debates narrow remove doubts matter. absolutely however 1910. 32 Yet 1168, vigorous dissent Chief Clarke joined, closed eyes obvious interpreted broad regard express wishes Congress. factually situation hand principle still us today, interpreting applying specific concerned. met squarely books nearly age justify continued Stare decisis require court perpetuate wrong responsible, especially rights accrued reliance Helvering Hallock, 309 106, 121, 122, 444, 452, 453, 604, 125 Law Reports 1368. Otherwise error accentuated; individuals, morality, fined imprisoned shall party process. prolonging arbitrers morality cross company girls. meant (242 195) standards plainly forth legitimate scope function. accord Congressional pronouncements entitled. Hence Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints forbidden marriages 1890. Toncray Budge, Idaho 621, 654, 655, 95 Pacific KF135 P2 26. activities Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Utah Wyoming. 'Of women: offering body indiscriminate lewdness hire (esp. institution); whoredom, harlotry.' Oxford English Dictionary 1497. 'Vicious sensual pleasures.' 79; 'Excessive pleasures kind; gluttony; intemperance; immorality; lust.' Century Dict.Rev.Ed. 1477. Blackstock 261 KF105 F3 150; Carey 265 515; Elrod 266 55; Burgess 54 App.D.C. 71, 294 1002; Corbett 299 27; Hart 499; Ghadiali 236; Reginelli, 595; Poindexter 139 158; Simon 145 345; Qualls 149 891; Sipe 80 U.S.App.D.C. 194, 150 984; Chaplin, 682. emphasized aspect stressed familial so-called 'celestial marriage' conception distinguishing argument motivation foreclosed, concerned, 244. Apropos application, relationship illegal regular continuous Caminetti, so. e.g., Gebardi 287 112, 53 35, 77 206, 370; Christian 114, Compare Beach, 324 193, 65 602, 89 865; Murphy herein. joined Clarke. five justices adhered opinion, McReynolds participating. 1913E, 911. original matter, constitutional procedures required enactment legislation, seem hardly justifiable treat effect accordance prescribed procedures. note 4. Legislative 'silence' lacks supporting pursuant procedures, reduction writing, committee reports, final form, voting records executive approval. Necessarily negative process lending guesswork. 5. Prudential insurance Benjamin, 408, 424, 1142, 1152; Ribble, State National Power Over Commerce (1937) X; Bikle , Silence (1927) 41 Harv.L.Rev. 200; Powell, Validity Legislation Webb-Kenyon (1917) So.L.Rev. 112. An giving consent McNamee, 102 572, 575, 234. McKenna, 201, 502. States; 199, 200, 605, 865. limit S. 2438, 73d Sess.; 101, 75th 1st Sess. Neither reported committee. amend raises presumption intent. Order Railway Conductors America Swan, 152 325, 329.

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